8. a set of characteristics or qualities that identify a type or category of person or thing: a profile of a typical allergy sufferer. 9. the look or general contour of something. 10. degree of noticeability; visibility: a mayor with a high profile. 11. to draw, write, or produce a profile of.
The answer is a bit complicated. Just as there are no federal regulations or rules governing the word natural, no legal definition exists for functional foods in the United States. According to the Mayo Clinic, functional foods are generally considered to offer benefits that go beyond basic nutrition.
Digestive Enzymes. No matter what specific foods we eat, our diets are composed of protein, fat and carbohydrates. Digestive enzymes break down protein, carbohydrates and fats into progressively smaller components. Enzyme supplements normally contain amylase, protease and lipase. Cellulase, lactase, malt diastase, invertase (sucrase), glucoamylase, bromelain and papain may also be included in digestive products. These enzymes increase the level of digestion in the stomach, increasing the amount of food broken down. Therefore, less undigested food is passed into the colon, and food nutrients are more available for absorption.