What Are Enzymes

We've all seen a colony of ants.  All those little workers rushing around doing their jobs.  It seems so random, but they are each doing something very specific that needs to be done for the good of the whole colony.

That's what I imagine enzymes to be like.  Enzymes are really proteins - hard working proteins.  They are catalysts that facilitate and speed up the different reactions in the body.  One of the jobs of digestive enzymes is to help break down the large molecules of fats, proteins, carbohydrates, and other components of the foods we eat. 

If you experience gas, bloating, irregular bowels, burping, or other digestive discomforts after eating, you may be feeling the consequences of not enough digestive enzymes.  Having enough enzymes - all the different types - is key to good health.  Food is your body's fuel and incomplete digestion and assimilation of that fuel leads to mal-nourishment at the cellular level.  If the cells aren't healthy the whole body suffers. 

Digestive enzymes are naturally produced within your body. We also get enzymes from raw foods.  Many children are eating lots of processed food on a daily basis.  Processed food, even the healthier versions, are lacking those essential enzymes, which are heat sensitive.

Including raw foods (foods that have not been heated above 118 degrees Fahrenheit) is important because the enzymes are still viable.

The average American diet is responsible for the development of chronic degenerative diseases such as heart disease, atherosclerosis, cancer, diabetes, stroke, etc. Why is diet so important for our health?  Because the food (and supplements) we consume provide our cells the nutrients to survive and function.  That’s why in holistic medicine we focus on the health of the gastro-intestinal (GI) tract, where the food is digested and assimilated into the body.

Throughout the GI tract, from the mouth through the intestines, enzymes are secreted from glands to help digest the fat, carbohydrates and proteins we eat.  We also consume enzymes through RAW food.  Enzymes are denatured (inactivated) by heat.  So the enzymes in cooked food lose their function, which is to increase the rates of chemical reactions within the body.



"Although the body can manufacture enzymes,
the more you use your enzyme potential,
the faster it is going to run out..."

- Dr. Edward Howell (Noted Pioneer in the field of Enzyme Research)

Supporting our body with RAW food, supports our enzyme supply.  Raw foods contain all the enzymes necessary for their own digestion.  Eating too much processed and cooked food and too little live, raw food can result in enzyme deficiencies.

There is research to support the health benefits of enzymes, for example:
 Bromelain (an enzyme found in fresh pineapple) has been found to have anticoagulant and anti-inflammatory properties. Anti-inflammatory properties are huge since chronic inflammation has been linked to many diseases including allergies, asthma, heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

Very Important: Enzymes rely on vitamins and minerals to function properly.



“Enzymes are complex proteins that act as catalysts in almost every biochemical process that takes place in the body. Their activity depends on the presence of adequate vitamins and minerals. Many enzymes incorporate a single molecule of a trace mineral —such as copper, iron or zinc —without which the enzyme cannot function.”
Sally Fallon and Mary G. Enig, PhD

Source: http://www.nourishmd.com/
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Previous Comments

Dean Wright commented on 05-Aug-2009 09:51 PM5 out of 5 stars
This is why I take WA bee pollen its loaded with good Enzymes and ammino acids one tip dont let heat get to the bee pollen as it destroys the live Enzymes and keep it in the fridge .
Cliff Smith commented on 05-Aug-2009 10:14 PM5 out of 5 stars
Thank you for this info. I have long been stressing the need for the live enzymes in the foods and health drinks at our online health food store.
John Milanese commented on 05-Aug-2009 10:43 PM5 out of 5 stars
Yes ....very pertinent comments
about enzymes...apart from Dr Howells book I would strongly recommend reading the `Enzyme Factor`
by Dr Hiromi Shinya,one of the worlds leading bowel surgeons.
His advice to eat an enzyme rich
macrobiotic type of diet is I believe one of the most sensible pieces of advice to leading a long
healthy life free of disease
Anonymous commented on 05-Aug-2009 11:28 PM5 out of 5 stars
Plant enzymes,with few exceptions like pineapple and papaya,are metabolic enzymes used by the plant and have nothing to do with human digestion at all.
This is a half truth that gets repeated constantly by the raw foodists until it has reached dogma status.
Anonymous commented on 06-Aug-2009 12:18 AM5 out of 5 stars
Good anology with ants as enzymes although it is true that there are very few plant enzymes which can improve human digestion. Raw food has many benifits but if you have an existing digestive issue then raw foods will undoubtably aggrevate the condition without digestive enzymes as a supplement!
gertrudes capito commented on 07-Aug-2009 02:53 AM5 out of 5 stars
thanks a lot for the information. it really helps me a lot.

the problem with raw food - like vegetables/fruits - they are sprayed with chemicals - insecticides and fungicides and others.
isaias vilmer frago commented on 16-Sep-2009 05:17 PM5 out of 5 stars
you can use baking soda without alum to clean your vegies/fruits. one teaspoon for 1 liter of water
Shaku commented on 30-Nov-2011 10:35 AM5 out of 5 stars
Eat Organic as much as possible
Gloira commented on 30-Nov-2011 12:56 PM5 out of 5 stars
Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar in water will clean the fruit and vegies
elenore bendel commented on 30-Nov-2011 06:32 PM5 out of 5 stars
Hi everyone! Where can I read more on inflammation that is liked to chronic diseases? Like studies e.t.c. Simply put.. I want to read more on inflammation- where it comes from and what it can do to our healt.. Thank you for your tips!
Anonymous commented on 01-Dec-2011 05:42 PM5 out of 5 stars
@elenore bendel We have a huge wealth of free information on our website, it can be a little overwhelming to know where to start, but I’d like to suggest a few places. Firstly we suggest working with a natural healthcare professional who specialises in
Nutritional and Environmental Medicine. Please use our practitioner directory guide (http://www.foodmatters.tv/_webapp/Practitioner%20Directory). Secondly - have you heard of Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)? A lot of our health concerns are caused by our
emotions and past baggage. We have a film called ‘The Tapping Solution’ which is a great tool to help release these emotions that may be contributing to patterns of illness http://www.foodmatters.tv/_webapp_424207/The_Tapping_Solution A little more specific
to inflammation I would suggest looking in to: Magnesium - muscle relaxant Silica - Connective tissue health (cucumbers are naturally high in this - they are also anti-inflammatory) MSM Healthy fats - support your joints - avocado, coconut oil, butter, nuts/seeds
(higher in Omega 6 fats - balance with plenty of Omega 3 fats), grass fed animal products if you eat them Avoid vegetable oils aside from extra virgin olive oil - vegetable oils have an unnaturally high Omega 6 ratio - Omega 6 imbalance causes greater inflammation
- Omega 3 reduces inflammation - load up on oily fish if you eat it or flax if you are a vegetarian Turmeric - anti inflammatory LOTS of water Quality sleep and sunshine Also perhaps you'd like to join our online community called ‘Our Food Matters’ - we would
love your presence in our community and you can connect with other people who are healing themselves using food and other natural methods, offering tips and sharing their stories (http://www.ourfoodmatters.tv/) Ann @ Food Matters
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