Protease 4.5, Protease 3.0 and Peptidase are all capable of digesting soluble proteins. Several important enzymes contribute to carbohydrate digestion with this formula. Amylase breaks down starch into glucose and maltose. Glucoamylase is another starch hydrolyzing enzyme, which assures the breakdown of maltose into glucose molecules, allowing greater absorption of this energy-giving sugar. Disaccharide intolerance occurs when insufficient levels of disaccharidase enzymes are secreted in the small intestine causing malabsorption and physical discomfort.
Lactase deficiency is the most common and well-known form of carbohydrate intolerance.
Most mammals, including humans, have high intestinal lactase activity at birth in order to digest breast milk. In some cases, this activity declines to low levels during childhood and remains low in adulthood. The low lactase levels cause maldigestion of milk and other dairy products. Supplemental lactase has been found to decrease the symptoms of lactose intolerance associated with the consumption of dairy products. The prevalence of processed and highly refined foods in the North American diet means that we consume a great amount of white sugar, which can contribute to undue digestive stress.