Well, I’ll go a bit against the grain here and say that I’ve used digestive enzymes in the past and that they did, in fact, have a beneficial effect.
For me.
Why the italics? Well, it’s been my observation over the years that the amount of food one can (a) eat and (b) make use of varies highly with the idividual. You get someone who’s genetically well-disposed towards bbing and DEs probably won’t help much, because their body is already good at processing food to make muscle. On the other hand, you get some skinny little ecto who has a hard time just eating enough good food in the first place, and DEs will produce a noticeable and beneficial effect.
Wobenzyme is excellent, and not just for digestion. (Do a search to find out much much more.) I’ve also used papain supplements, which are far cheaper and work well for protein digestion (although they won’t do anything for your arthritis). These are easily found at your local GNC or something; give them a shot and see for yourself how they work in your body.
char-dawg, I agree that it is highly individual but it has been my experience that most people do not benefit from taking digestive enzymes. For example, I’m a natural ecto who certainly is NOT genetically disposed to BBing (don’t read this as saying I’m a hard gainer) and do have trouble processing food (I have a very sensitive stomach) and DE’s have never done anything for me. I used to have trouble eating enough calories too. Eventually your body will adapt and be able to eat more, it just takes time.
You quoted opinions from people that basically are part of one organization. There is a lot of good information here, but it isn’t the end-all-be-all. I’m sure there are plenty of people “on the other side of the fence” that have scientific or anecdotal evidence supporting the inclusion of digestive enzymes in one’s diet.
[quote]You quoted opinions from people that basically are part of one organization.
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deezlodawg, if you haven’t figured it out already, there are many writers for T-mag with differing opinions. They are NOT part of the same organization since none of these guys work for Biotest or Testosterone. They get paid to do articles and often times different guys contradict each other.
I have no wish to enter into a “pissing contest” and will not post any more on this. I would wager that most people who have not had good results with digestive enzymes (assuming that your digestion needs support) have tried conventional pancreatic enzymes which in many cases do not make it past the stomach and so are therefore worthless. Plant based digestive enzymes are a different story: "Unlike animal-derived pancreatic enzymes, Plant Enzymes in [propriatary name deleted] are acid-stable and active from pH 2 to 12. As a result, … supports digestion of proteins, carboydrates, fats, fiber and phytates under virtually all gastrointentinal pH conditions.
John Berardi does in fact recommend digestive enzymes. I’ve spoken to him about it on many occassions. The problem is the quality of product. Many products are shit, not digestive enzymes themselves. Make sure you get an enteric coated product as it needs this to by-pass the stomach and make it to the small intestine where digestion takes place. I find them very helpful when eating beyond means in order to put on some weight(I’m talking 400g protein). I don’t think they are necessary for most people if calories, especially protein are in the “normal” range.
ScottL, you’re right Berardi does advocate digestive enzymes that make it to the small intestine (plant-based or enteric coated). However, if you read the article, he also says the cost doesn’t justify the benefit you’ll receive from it.
I tend to agree with Cy Willson on this. Read above.
Actually, I was wrong. Berardi says unless you find an enteric coated digestive enzyme, the cost does not justify the benefit. However, Cy Willson does make what I consider valid grounds for my opinion that digestive enzymes are a waste of money.