Strong Digestion = Strong Immunity

NEW YORK, Feb. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- With winter upon us, most people are focusing their health strategies on avoiding colds and flu.  There are many common-sense ways to boost immunity – including proper hand washing, getting as much sunshine and fresh air as possible, eating a balanced, nutritious diet, and avoiding junk foods loaded with empty calories, to name a few. But the key to optimizing immunity is by mustering your body's digestive firepower.

Good digestion is critical to maintaining optimal immune function. According to Manhattan-based, board certified internist Steven Lamm, MD(1), Associate Clinical Professor at NYU, "Strong digestion is the body's first line of defense for creating strong immunity and plays a key role in protecting the body from unwelcome invaders. Good digestion is a cornerstone of overall health," he says, "so it's a high priority to keep it strong at all times." In his clinical practice in Manhattan, Dr. Lamm says the #1 complaint he encounters among patients is digestive problems.

"While today's food supply is bountiful, the nutrients we receive are seriously depleted," says pharmacist Gary Kracoff, NMD, R. Ph, from Johnson Compounding & Wellness Center in Waltham, MA. "The reason is that the modern cooked diet destroys the natural enzymes found in raw foods that aid in digestion. Enzymes are also diminished by processed, refined and fatty foods, and our overuse of antibiotics."

The Doctors' Top 3 Enzyme Immune Boosters for the Season:

• Dr. Kracoff: "Enzymes are biologically active proteins that are critical to every biochemical reaction in the body and necessary for good health. Proteolytic enzymes contained in a product developed especially for winter health challenges, ViraStop™, team up with our white blood cells to support immune function in ways no other nutritional supplement can."*
• Dr. Lamm: "During the nasty winter months, you can significantly enhance your immune response by changing the foods you eat and by supplementing the daily diet with enzymes and probiotics contained in the all-in-one formula Digest Gold™ + Probiotics.* Also, MucoStop™ effectively promotes the break up of thick mucus so that when you cough or sneeze, it's easily eliminated from the system.* This all-natural product has none of the side effects that are common with other popular options."*

"I believe enzymes may lessen the duration and severity of the common cold," says Dr. Kracoff.

To evaluate your digestive health, take the Enzyme Deficiency Test. The results will help you initiate steps for healthier digestion and improved immunity during the cold and flu season and year-round.  

For tips on digestion and immunity from Enzymedica, "The Enzyme Experts," visit www.enzymedica.com.

(1) Steven Lamm, MD is a compensated medical advisor to Enzymedica.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.

SOURCE Enzymedica