Our blood is alkaline, around 7.2 to 7.4 or more, and stomach acid typically ranges from an acidic 1.0 to 3.0. These enzyme preparations can sometimes be less effective than plant-derived enzymes because they're not as active over as broad a pH range. More effective are plant-based enzymes, extracted from foods or fungus, which have a pH range of 2.0 to as high as 10.0. Popularly used plant enzymes include bromelain , a protease derived from the pineapple plant, and papain, from the papaya fruit. Children up to age 3 usually have little problem digesting lactose but begin to lose their lactase from age 3 to 7.
Lactose intolerance is .more common in certain populations.
They include papain and bromelain. A combination of the enzymes lipase, amylase and protease. Best taken with meals to enhance digestion and absorption. Frances Albrecht is president of Nutrition Education Services and is a dis tance learning instructor at Bastyr University .