Life cannot exist without enzymes. Enzymes are involved in every function of the body. Vitamins, minerals and hormones must have enzymes to work properly. Digestive enzymes are the catalysts which allow us to break down foods into absorb-able nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids and fatty acids. Once these nutrients are liberated, enzymes again play a vital role in escorting them to the cells and tissues for utilization. Therefore, without proper enzyme functioning, such nutrients are useless to our bodies.

The Dangers of Poor Digestion

Individuals who are enzyme deficient are subject to physical problems, disease and degeneration. Studies indicate that decreased enzymes levels are found in a number of chronic ailments, such as arthritis, diabetes, allergies, skin diseases, cancer, immune deficiencies and much more. Because of genetics, diet, lifestyle, processed foods, and a toxic environment, we are all at risk for decreased enzymes levels. A healthy diet and lifestyle, along with supplemental digestive enzymes can be an vital key to prevention and/or correction of such conditions. By taking supplemental enzymes, the body is ensured that it will get the necessary nutrition it needs for optimal health and transformation.

I’ve Taken All the Guesswork Out!

Since digestive health is such a critical component for achieving overall wellness, I have put together everything your body needs to restore proper digestion in an easy to use kit called DIGESTIVE WELLNESS KIT. The Digestive Wellness Kit includes 3 components, Advanced Digest, Advanced Protease, and Advanced Probiotic. Below I will explain how each component of the kit work within the body to help you achieve better digestive health and healthier, more vibrant life!

Scroll to the bottom of the page for a special offer!

ADVANCED DIGEST:

Optimal digestion results in nutrient availability, delivery and absorption for cellular function and repair. Do you feel bad every time you eat? Do you suffer from common digestive disorders such as:

• Acid reflux or indigestion
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Lactose or gluten intolerance
• Nagging food allergies

Advanced Digest will get the nutrients from the food you eat to your cells in a recognizable and usable form. Genetics, stressful lifestyles, poor diet, processed foods, prescription drugs and the environment all influence your digestion on a daily basis. You can no longer assume eating a healthy diet will result in good nutrition. Advanced Digest taken with meals promotes optimal digestion, nutrient availability and cellular health.

Health Benefits include:

• Digestion without discomfort
• Maximum metabolism and energy production
• Strong immune system
• Reduced food intolerances and allergies

Advanced Digest not only takes the stress off of the digestive organs, it also reduces oxidative stress which may lessen pre-mature aging. Advanced Digest delivers nutrients to the cell and that nutrition is the foundation of your wellness.

ADVANCED PROTEASE:

Optimal Circulation and Immunity results in complete delivery of nutrients and oxygen to all parts of the body, enhancing its ability to defend and detoxify itself on a regular basis. Are you at risk for or suffer from:

• High blood pressure or cardiovascular disease?
• Inflammatory conditions like arthritis, allergies or diabetes?
• Weakened immunity or recurrent infections?
• Toxicity and chemical sensitivities?

Advanced Protease provides systemic benefits to the circulatory system, the immune system, and the detoxifying organs. This formula is also very effective at helping reduce and control chronic inflammation, the underlying cause of most degenerative diseases. Advanced Protease is proactive support to your body’s natural recovery and healing processes.

Health Benefits include:

• Improved circulation
• Regulation of fibrin reducing inappropriate clot formation
• Regulation of inflammation
• Faster recovery and healing
• Improved resistance to allergies, colds and infections
• Enhanced detoxification

Advanced Protease taken daily between meals reduces stress on your heart and immune system and promotes oxygen flow to your brain and vital tissues. Advanced Protease is essential to your wellness program.

ADVANCED PROBIOTIC:

Optimal Intestinal Health results in complete digestion, production of vital nutrients and elimination of food waste. Have you taken antibiotics and suffer from intestinal imbalances that cause embarrassing discomfort such as:

• Gas and bloating
• Painful cramping or bleeding in the GI tract
• Constipation and/or diarrhea
• Lactose intolerance

Advanced Probiotic replaces the flora in your GI tract that often becomes depleted by antibiotic use or imbalanced by poor diet choices. Further complications can arise when the opportunistic microorganisms feed off of undigested food, creating gas and releasing toxic waste into the bloodstream. Advanced Probiotic is acid stable and survives the GI tract to become live cultures, colonizing and providing health benefits to the human host.

Health Benefits include:

• Production of digestive enzymes assisting with protein, fat and lactose digestion
• Immune support
• Healthy and timely elimination of waste

Advanced Probiotic taken at bedtime will help maintain the beneficial bacteria in your GI tract benefiting digestion, immunity and elimination.

How Do I Take Enzymes?

The Advanced Digest needs to be taken with your meals. Ideally this you will take the digestive enzymes after the first bite of food. This will allow the enzymes to do their job of breaking down your foods into absorb-able nutrients most efficiently.

The Advanced Protease however needs to be taken on an empty stomach (between your meals). Otherwise, your body will use it for digesting your food, instead of being absorbed into the blood and doing its work there. Remember that the purpose of the protease is to improve the circulatory system, the immune system, and reduce and control chronic inflammation in the body.

The Advanced Probiotic is best taken at bedtime. During this time the pH of the stomach is relatively low, allowing the bacteria to have a higher chance of attaching to the intestinal wall and thriving.

You can refer to the chart below to see how the Digestive Wellness Kit should be taken throughout the day.

Ready to Start Restoring Your Digestive Health?

To help you get started I am including a special discount code that you can use to get 15% off your first Digestive Wellness Kit!

USE CODE: healthygut15

Click Here to Purchase Your Kit

1) Vitamin D

Before the year 2000, very few doctors even considered the possibility that you might be vitamin D deficient. But as awareness has grown and the technology to measure vitamin D became inexpensive and widely available, more and more studies have been done.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 32 percent of Americans were vitamin D deficient. However, even this is grossly underestimated as they used vitamin D levels that were not consistent with optimal health. If levels of an optimal range (over 60 ng/ml) were used the percent of deficient Americans would be closer to 85%.

It is not possible to get enough Vitamin D without adequate sun exposure or supplementation. There are very few food sources available, and none contain high enough levels. People with darker skin are also more at risk for D deficiency. In most cases it takes a minimum of 50,000 iu or more weekly to raise Vitamin D Levels into an optimal range. If you are going to take more than that, you need to get tested to make sure your levels do not get too high.

Signs of deficiency:

Depressed Moods, Fatigue, Bone & Joint Pain or Aches, Excessive Sweating, Weakness, erectile dysfunction, recurring illness, Psoriasis, Hypertension, Kidney Disease, Greater Pain Sensitivity, Stress Fractures

Good food sources:

Salmon, Mackerel, Egg Yolks, Shiitake Mushrooms

2) Omega-3 Fats

Omega-3 and omega-6 are two types of fat that are essential for human health. However, the typical American consumes far too many omega-6 fats in her diet while consuming very low omega-3 levels. Omega-6 is primarily sourced from corn, soy, canola, safflower, and sunflower oils. These are overabundant in the typical diet, which accounts for excess omega-6 levels. The ideal ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fats is 1:1, however our ratio averages from 20:1 to 50:1. Many scientists believe that one reason there is a high incidence of heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, premature aging, and some cancer forms today is this profound omega-3-omega-6 imbalance.

There are actually two main types of Omega-3 fatty acids, animal based and plant based. Animal sources contain eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) , and plant sources contain alpha-linoleic acid (ALA). Most of the health benefit comes from the EPA and DHA. In fact, ALA is converted in the body into EPA and DHA. However, the body is only capable of converting small amounts of ALA, so including either an animal based source or both sources of Omega-3s in your diet is ideal. In most cases dietary sources are not enough and supplementation with additional EPA and DHA is needed.

Signs of deficiency:

Poor Memory & Concentration, Dry Skin, Mood Swings, Fatigue, Brittle Nails, Anxiety, Dry Eyes, Joint Pain

Good food sources:

Salmon, Krill Oil, Sardines, Anchovies, Flaxseed Oil, Chia Seeds, Walnuts, Oatmeal, Kale, Brussels Sprouts, Parsley, Watercress

3) Magnesium

Magnesium is a mineral used by every organ in your body, especially your heart, muscles, and kidneys . According to recent statistics, up to 80 percent of Americans are lacking in this essential macro-mineral, which is needed for over 300 biochemical reactions in the body. Standard blood tests are not sufficient for identifying Magnesium deficiencies since only 1 percent of the Magnesium in your body is distributed in your blood.

It is difficult to get enough magnesium through your diet, so supplementation is needed. Taking a minimum of 100mg per day of Magnesium is recommended for overall health. There are several forms of magnesium supplements on the market  with Magnesium Glycinate being the form that is most easily absorbed by the body. Taking Magnesium at night is preferred as it can also help with sleep.

Signs of deficiency:

Loss of appetite, Headaches, Muscle Cramps, Abnormal Heart Rhythms, Numbness and Tingling, Anxiety, Insomnia, Constipation, Hypertension

Good food sources:

Dark Leafy Greens, Sunflower Seeds, Almonds, White Beans, Black-eyed Peas, Avocado, Figs, Dark Chocolate, Bananas, raspberries

4) Vitamin B12

B12 is known as the energy vitamin. Your body requires it for a number of vital functions, including energy production, blood formation, DNA synthesis, and myelin formation. The two ways you become deficient are through a lack of vitamin B12 in your diet, or through your inability to absorb it from the food you eat. About one in four American adults are deficient in this important nutrient, and over half the population has sub-optimal blood levels. Vitamin B-12 is mostly available only in animal foods: meat, fish, poultry, eggs, and dairy products. Vegans are particularly susceptible to deficiency and should take a B Complex supplement daily.

Signs of deficiency:

Fatigue, lack of energy, muscle weakness, tingling in your extremities, Mood swings, lack of motivation, insomnia, mental fogginess, depression

Good food sources:

Liver & Other Organ Meats, Red Meats, Salmon, Clams, Crab, Eggs, Sardines, Dairy

5) Iodine

Iodine is necessary for the proper function of many of the body’s tissues including the breasts, pancreas, brain, stomach, adrenal glands, skin, salivary glands, and cerebral spinal fluid. Iodine is particularly critical for proper thyroid function. In fact, more than 75% of the iodine in the body is stored in the thyroid gland. Depleted iodine levels in soils, the over-consumption of processed foods, and increased exposure to iodine blocking substances called Halides, commonly found in baked goods, tap water, toothpastes, pesticides, and vegetable oils have all lead to a severe decrease in the average American’s Iodine levels. Supplementation of 5-10mg of Iodine per day is highly recommended. You can read more about why Iodine is so critically important for your health here.

Signs of deficiency:

Dry mouth, dry skin, reduced alertness, brain fog, fibromyalgia, fibrocystic breasts, anxiety, depression, insomnia, brain fog, loss of concentration

Good food sources:

Seaweed & Other Sea Vegetables, Shrimp, Prunes, Navy Beans, Bananas, Cranberries, Green Beans, Turkey Breast

6) Iron

Iron is essential for human life. One of the most important roles of iron is to provide hemoglobin (the protein in red blood cells), a mechanism through which it can bind to oxygen and carry it throughout your tissues. Without proper oxygenation, your cells quickly start dying.

Since your body has a limited capacity to excrete iron, it can build up in your body. Too much iron can be worse than not having enough, so it is important to get tested to make sure you have optimal levels. Testing is done with a simple blood test called a serum ferritin test. Levels below 20 ng/ml are considered low, and levels above 80 are considered high. An optimal level would be between 40 and 60. Iron deficiency is actually the most common deficiency among women.

Signs of deficiency:

fatigue, decreased immunity, anemia, dizziness, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, anxiety, hair loss

Good food sources:

Pumpkin Seeds, Sesame Seeds, Liver, Lentils, Kidney Beans, Spinach, Swiss Chard, Dark Chocolate, Oysters

7) Vitamin C

vitamin C is an essential nutrient, meaning that we cannot produce it in our bodies so we must get it through our diets or supplementation. Most people are aware of the immune boosting effects of vitamin C, but its effects go beyond that. Vitamin C is an important antioxidant that can help to reduce the occurrence of major diseases including cancer and heart disease. Vitamin C is required for the production of collagen and other soft tissue in the body.

The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for Vitamin C is drastically low (60 mg), leading to a false sense of security. In the animal kingdom, all other mammals except for humans, guinea pigs, and some bats and primates, make their own vitamin C. As a percentage of their body weight, these animals produce much higher levels that our RDA recommends. If we were to apply this ratio of vitamin C product to the average 154 lb human by body weight the proper daily amount would be closer to 6,000 mg per day. Spacing the dose out into two or three portions and working up your dose over time will help reduce the chance of loose bowels.

Signs of deficiency:

Decreased ability to fight infection, skin bruises easily, slower wound healing, nosebleeds, dry skin, weakened tooth enamel, dry hair

Good food sources:

Oranges, Red Sweet Peppers, Chili Peppers, Kale, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cauliflower, Papaya, Strawberries, Mango

Nutritional Deficiency Testing

One of the things I recommend to may patients is Nutritional Deficiency Testing. Until recently, it was difficult to detect what patients were deficient in but science and technology have provided us with cutting edge testing that allows us to see deficiencies on a cellular level. The test I use is called a SpectraCell Micronutrient Test, which actually looks within the white blood cells at 35 nutritional components including vitamins, antioxidants, minerals and amino acids. This is a great test to help you identify where your specific deficiencies are and allow you to monitor your improvements as you supplement accordingly. If you are not within reach of the Dr. Shel Wellness & Medical Spa you can locate a SpectraCell provider in your area here.