National Enzyme Company: Making A Healthier Lifestyle Easier to Digest

Since 1932, National Enzyme Company (NEC), Forsyth, MO, has been a leader in nutritional enzyme technology. Quality principles and pride of ownership have come together to form the foundation for its entire operation.

NEC’s creation can be traced back to Dr. Edward Howell and his interest in enzymes and human nutrition, which began in the 1920’s at the Lindlahr Sanitarium, Chicago, IL. During Dr. Howell’s studies, he learned that essential food digestive enzymes were lost in the cooking process. “Dr. Howell theorized that if he could replace the enzymes lost in the cooking or processing of food, he could enhance nutrient assimilation and in turn, promote general good health,” said Scott Daniel, marketing and communications manager.

As such, a private practice was established to treat advanced illnesses utilizing Dr. Howell’s approach toward nutrition and physical therapy. Through extensive clinical and laboratory research, he cultivated and extracted certain plant enzymes, then added these enzyme-based supplements to the diets of his patients. The supplements proved successful in providing activity during all phases of the digestive process and producing overall wellness in the patients.

“Other physicians saw the results of improved health in his patients and as a result, in 1932, Dr. Howell created the National Enzyme Company to produce a general digestive enzyme-based formula, Genuine N-Zime #1,” said Ms. Daniel. “NEC was then incorporated in May of 1945 in the state of Illinois to meet the growing demands for its unique enzyme products.”

The current owner, Anthony Collier, purchased the company in 1979 after only two years of working as the office manager at NEC. After relocating to Forsyth, MO, NEC began experiencing growth in the private label sector. The company strengthened its position as a manufacturer and marketer with the help of research and product development, marketing efforts, a technically trained sales staff and the ability to secure exclusive enzymes directly from the grower.

Today, the company is capable of handling the needs of all customers by focusing on custom formulation and utilizing current technology in production. “NEC adheres to strict NSF and TGA certified GMPs, including precision blending, encapsulating, labeling and full-service bottling,” said Ms. Daniel.

The company offers exclusive and proprietary blends of both digestive and systemic enzymes. Several of its branded blends include: Isolase, Myolase, Serrazimes, Nattozimes, CereCalase and a new line of products called BioCore. BioCore digestive enzyme products, offering eight ultimate building blocks, is the culmination of over 70 years of extensive research in the field of digestion and digestive enzymes.

The BioCore line of products can be divided into two categories, according to Ms. Daniel. The first consists of BioCore Optimum, BioCore Pro, BioCore Lipo and BioCore Carbo. BioCore Pro combines proteases designed to optimize the digestion of proteins. BioCore Lipo is a unique combination of lipases, which target digestive problems associated with the high fat content of a fast food diet. BioCore Carbo can be added to a comprehensive formula for better assimilation of carbohydrates. Therefore, BioCore Pro, BioCore Lipo and BioCore Carbo can be added to BioCore Optimum in the necessary amounts to tailor the product to any particular dietary need.

The second category in the BioCore line of products is geared towards specific gastrointestinal and digestive applications. BioCore Dairy is a potent formula comprised of lactase and protease, which is designed to alleviate symptoms associated with dairy intolerance. BioCore Dairy Ultra is an enhanced dairy formulation targeting milk fat in addition to dairy intolerance. These two products can be added to BioCore Optimum to create a full spectrum digestive formula with emphasis on dairy intolerance.

“Helping grow the enzyme market is the use of enzymes systemically. As the baby boomer population ages, they are looking for healthier and safer alternatives to Vioxx and other prescription medication,” said Ms. Daniel.—M.Z.

National Enzyme Company
15366 U.S. Highway 160
Forsyth, MO 65653
Telephone: 800-825-8545
Fax: 417-546-6433
E-mail: sdaniel@nzimes.com
Website: www.nationalenzyme.com