Aug
Wellness
Perilla Leaf Extract vs Digestive Enzymes vs Probiotics
Our gut is an important guardian angel to our health. However, many of us tend to ignore our gut health until there is a repeated incidence of gut-related symptoms happening to us including constipation, diarrhoea and irritable bowel syndrome. These symptoms may not be life-threatening, however dealing with them on a regular basis would be a nuisance in one’s daily life. With maintaining an active lifestyle and eating a healthy varied diet, the risk of developing digestive issues can be reduced. These help to ensure a balanced gut microbiota. Aside from that, other dietary factors including perilla leaf extract, probiotics and digestive enzyme have been shown to help maintain a healthy digestive system. The table below will provide a better understanding of how each dietary factors mentioned helps in maintaining a healthy digestive system.
| Perilla leaf | Digestive enzyme | Probiotic | |
| What is it | An edible herbaceous plant native to Asia | Proteins that body produces to break down food substances and aid digestion | Live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host |
| How does it help | – Balance between prokinetic and antispasmodic action of the gut
– Anti-inflammatory effect of rosmarinic acid and vicenin 2 – Prebiotic activity (support growth of healthy bacteria in the gut) – Balances immune mediator Th1 & Th2 |
Direct acting on food substance in the stomach by breaking down nutrients such as carbohydrate, protein and fat into substance which are more easily absorbed by the body | – Helps to maintain a healthy community of microorganisms in the gut
– Restores nature balance of gut microorganisms after being interrupted by infection or antibiotic medications – Helps the synthesis of vitamins and activation of certain enzymes required for digestion – Inhibit the growth of harmful microorganism in the gut hence preventing infection |
| Time for onset of action | Instant | Instant | Delayed |
| Duration of effect | Long & accumulated | Short | Long & accumulated |
| Gut motility (Prokinetic effect) | Yes | No | Possible
(depends on strength and strain) |
| Anti-spasmodic effect | Yes | No | Possible
(depends on strength and strain) |
| Anti-inflammatory effect | Yes | No | Yes |
| Supports gut microorganism | Yes | No | Yes |