Digestive enzymes

We are looking at digestive enzymes at the moment to help with my husband's stomach condition (coeliac disease).

Digestive enzymes include:
Pancreatin - a mixture of several digestive enzymes produced by the pancreas. It is composed of amylase, lipase and protease. It has been claimed to help with food allergies, celiac disease, autoimmune disease, cancer, and weight loss. Pancreatin contains the pancreatic enzymes trypsin, amylase, and lipase. The trypsin found in pancreatin works to hydrolyze proteins to oligopetides; amylsase hydrolizes starches to oligosaccharides and the disaccharide maltose; and lipase hydrolyzes triglycerides to fatty acids and glycerols. (Wikipedia)
Bromelian - a proteolytic enzyme (an enzyme that digests proteins) found in fresh pineapple. It is often used to treat muscle injuries and as a digestive aid. Bromelain aids digestion by enhancing the effects of the digestive enzymes trypsin and pepsin. (WorldHealth.net)
Papain - a super enzyme found in papaya and pawpaw that helps digest proteins.

Papaw and Papaya (by The Food Coach)

Papaya and Papaw are well-renowned for their tropical colours and juicy texture, but new research confirms they offer much more than just flavour.

In the midst of antioxidants making a recent comeback, it's been revealed that combining milk with papaya to create a nutritious breakfast smoothie such as a Papaya Lassi can lead to an increase in the amount of beta-carotene absorbed from the fruit. Beta-carotene is an antioxidant needed daily for eye health, skin health and a healthy immune system.

"Beta-carotene is a pre-cursor to vitamin A, which is essential for everyone, but in particular many adults over 45 years need to increase their intake of this important vitamin as most of them don't get enough of it ," says Sharon Natoli, Accredited Practising Dietitian and Founding Director of Food & Nutrition Australia. "Children can also find it difficult to meet vitamin A requirements due to lower than ideal intakes of yellow and orange fruit and vegetables, which are generally significant sources of Vitamin A in the diet .

"Studies show that eating a carbohydrate-rich meal for breakfast, such as a Papaya Lassi with wholegrain toast, can improve feelings of alertness throughout the morning ," Sharon continues. "Research also shows that breakfast eaters are more able to control their weight, which is important in combating the rising obesity levels in Australia ."

Other health benefits
Papaya and papaw are ideal ingredients for a solid start to the day. They are packed full of essential vitamins such as vitamins C, E, A and K, plus potassium and antioxidants which have numerous benefits for the body, including helping to maintain a healthy immune system, strong vision, healthy skin and protection against lifestyle related diseases.

Papaya and papaw also contain papain, a super enzyme that helps digest proteins. Papain is especially high when the fruit is unripe and may be beneficial to those with digestive issues such as irritable bowel syndrome. Papain is also often extracted from the fruit to make digestive enzyme dietary supplements.

Availability
Australian Papaya and Papaw are available all year round and are quite different to each other. Papaya has an orange-red coloured flesh and yellow-orange coloured skin, with a sweet flavour. Papaw is a rounder and larger fruit, with distinct yellow flesh and pale orange skin, slightly more savoury in taste. There is also green papaya, an ingredient that partners well with Asian dishes.

Selection and storage
Choose papayas and papaws that are almost fully yellow and slightly soft to touch if you are going to eat them straight away. If not, select fruits with a yellow-green skin and allow them to ripen at room temperature for a few days before consuming.

Papayas and papaws can be ripened at room temperature and are ready to eat when the skin is yellow and slightly soft to touch. They can be stored in the fridge for a few days once ripe. Papaya and Papaw are fragile fruits that need to be handled carefully to prevent bruising. They may often display dark spots or blemishes during difficult growing periods but are still of excellent eating quality.