This product assists in the digestion and absorption of nutrients which are necessary to maintain good health. It relieves the extra burden placed on the digestive system, as this product breaks down fats, carbohydrates, cellulose and protein. Enzyme and probiotic supplementation is a good preventive measure to ensure good health. NO LACTOSE, SUGARS OR PRESERVATIVES! Digestive enzymes are special types of protein molecules that catalyze the breakdown of food into components that can be utilized by the body. These proteins are not stored in the body but are released based on the anticipation aroma or actual presence of food in the digestive system. Because they are not stored they must be taken with each meal, preferably with the food. Merritt's enzymes contain a blend of plant and microbial produced enzymes. None of them are from animal sources. Each enzyme is highly specific as to the class of food it works on and the temperature and pH of its effective range of activity. Animal derived enzymes will work in only one area of the digestive system, while plant and microbial enzymes work throughout the whole system, from mouth through the stomach into the intestines. As the body ages less enzymes are produced and supplementation is necessary to assure optimum health. Since Merritt's enzymes are derived from plant and microbial sources they are active throughout the whole gastrointestinal tract not in a specific section, as animal derived enzymes are. These enzymes are active from pH of 3 to 9 and at a temperature of about 100 o F. Animal derived enzymes either work in the stomach at a low pH or in the intestine at much higher pH. Since ours work over a broader range they are active longer in the system at reducing the food into usable components.