Enzyme Question

[anonymous]

It is my understanding that enzymes are takin only when you are eating something w/ fat in it. (If not then body doesnt digest well, stomach aches, and food just passes right through) But they also help your body absorb nutrients. So if thats correct.... why don't you take enzymes when you eat someting w/ no fat (ex. fruit). Wont the enzymes help body absorb nutients??

Angie
Step mom to 10 yr old girl CF/CFRD Takes Ultrase MT20- 3 w/ snack 4 w/ meal

 

[AngieM]

That was from me.

 

[seasprite]

All enzymes do is break down the components of food, <u>which are more easily absorbed because they are reduced to smaller pieces</u>. The enzymes your child takes in her Ultrase are the same types as are made by a normal pancreas-- one type breaks down fat (lipase), another breaks down protein (protease), and the third breaks down carbohydrate (amylase). Since the tiny tubes that transport these enzymes out of the pancreas into the intestines are blocked by sticky secretions in most people with cf, it's important to take enzymes with any meal containing significant amounts of fat <u>or protein</u>. The reason your daughter doesn't need enzymes with fruit or most vegetables (avocado being the exception) is that there is some amylase in saliva that is not affected by cf.

I hope this helps.

Bambi, Jordan's mom

 

[Magerly111]

I've never heard of that before. I take my enzymes with everything that I eat. Every snack, meal, milkshake, and sometimes if I have just a piece of chocolate. I have been taking enzymes since I was like 1 or 2, and I have never been told to do otherwise. Of course, everyone is different.

 

[anonymous]

This is what the dietician at my clinic said: I only need to take enzymes with high fat/protein food like meat and dairy. Also when I take my vitamins because certain ones like A,D,E and K are best broken down with fat and so not easily absorbed by cf patients. Most fruits and veggies don't contain enough of these to make it worth taking your enzymes.

 

[vickysmommy]

Im doing the same as Magerly. If I dont take enzymes with EVERYTHING I get severe stomach cramps. Im on Ultrase MT20(4 per meal, 3 per snack) Never heard of just taking them with fatening food

 

[Emily65Roses]

It depends on each individual. Some people have better absorbtion than others. I can get away with just taking enzymes with really high fat stuff (though I went without for years and just dealt with the results) and be fine. If you're unsure, have your clinic do a test, I forget the name... but basically they test your stools to see how much fat is in them without enzymes.

 

[Emily65Roses]

A fecal fat test? That might be the name.

 

[NoDayButToday]

It is called a fecal fat test, Emily <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">. Basically, you poop in a big bucket for 3 days (either not taking or taking enzymes, depending if they are determining if you need more or less). You can do it at home, except the poop has to be refridgerated...

 

[anonymous]

hi i know this has gone off topic to what use were actuallly talkin about and probably no one will reply but i need help. i'm doing an assignment on cystic fibrosis and i have looked every here for an answer but can not find the question is "how much does it cost on treatment, medications,hospitals/doctors, counselling if needed, education etc. plz help me out it would be greatly appreciated. thank you

 

[ClashPunk82]

<blockquote>Quote<br><hr><i>Originally posted by: <b>Magerly111</b></i><br>I've never heard of that before. I take my enzymes with everything that I eat. Every snack, meal, milkshake, and sometimes if I have just a piece of chocolate. I have been taking enzymes since I was like 1 or 2, and I have never been told to do otherwise. Of course, everyone is different.<hr></blockquote>

Same here. I take them with everything.

 

[kaveri]

HI!

I am from Finland here we are taking ezymes with everything, and even more when there are fat and protein with. "many CF-people" say that they have developed kind of "ezyme-eye" so they know by seeing the food, how much they need. What for a concentrations are you taking? Here in Finland only the Creon 10 000 is paid by insurance and you are lucky to get even harder ones at all. (Even if you are willing to pay it by yourself) I know that for examble in Germany they also have the 25 000 and 50 000 ones. So that means some adults in Finland are taking a mount of 80 and more "tablets" a day. (ps: sorry, English is not so very good.)