Papaya and Enzymes Tablets?

QuasiTova · February 19, 2008

I have heard people talking about these, and would like to get more info...

What are they used for?

What do they do?

How many do you take?

Preferred brand?

Strength (if applicable)?

Any complications associated with taking them?

Anything else I should know?

Mom2Three · February 19, 2008

They are a Vitamin that helps with digestion. They have them at GNC and you chew 3 daily and they have a great taste.

mikeh64 · February 19, 2008

My wife uses them when she feels that something is slightly stuck. She chews on up to three of them, they have a pleasant taste, and it helps to move things along. So far when she's taken them she hasn't had to PB anything.

georgia girl · February 19, 2008

I ordered some from Puritan's Pride a while ago and I haven't had to use them yet. I have them just in case I ever get stuck. I've also heard that you can sip on pineapple juice if something gets stuck. I have both but never had to use either, I'd rather be safe than sorry though.

PhotoEgor · February 20, 2008

Papaya enzyme tablets contain an extract of papaya(which is high in papain, an enzyme). Papain is important for digesting Protein. When I used to market them for GNC some 23 years ago, they were sold as a digestive aid. If you overeat, you take some of these and they help you digest the overload in your stomach. Having the extra papain keeps your stomach from overproducing acid and causeing heartburn. I don't know that they would be much help for things that are 'stuck'. I'd suggest hot tea to help melt the tablet. P.S. chew, chew, chew if it's food that's giveing you a problem. An once of prevention is better than a pound of cure.

gk

QuasiTova · February 21, 2008

Update:

I talked to my doctor today about these tablets, and he supports the use of them when things get stuck but not on a daily basis. He thinks it is important to develop new habits, but in the meantime, they can be very helpful.

We should not use them to just to make food go down so we can eat more, but in the case of an accidental too big of a bite, or something just getting stuck because it does not agree with us, he said this is a great "tool" to have available.

He also said that something in the tablets reduces the sliming when something is stuck, relieving the need to "spit like a guy" every two seconds while having something stuck.

He also said they mostly work on Protein type foods (i.e. meats), and will help break them down and pass if they are stuck... therefore relieving a lot of pain... and sliming.

But, even with non-protein items that get stuck (i.e. breads), they will still help some by relieving the sliming.

He also said that these were better to use than pineapple juice... for a few reasons.

1. Less calories

2. They do not make you gag or PB like pineapple juice can if you take too big of a drink or are "too stuck".

3. They are easier to carry in your purse.

4. They are not as acidic as pineapple juice.

Anyway, I bought some. chewable ones at Walgreens that taste pretty good... and they are buy one get one free until Friday if anyone is interested