Enzymes are complex molecules, vital catalysts that are needed for every chemical reaction in the body. There are two major types of enzymes – metabolic and digestive. Metabolic enzymes help build body structure. Digestive enzymes work to break down large food molecules into smaller, readily absorbable building blocks the body requires.
Naturally grown foods contain the enzymes necessary to break the food down to the essential nutrients the body needs. Nature provides enzymes in food to aid in the digestion process so that the body doesn’t have to use its enzyme reserves to do all the work. But when we process, refine, overcook, or microwave our food, most if not all enzymes are rendered useless. At a temperature above 118 degrees Fahrenheit, all enzyme activity is destroyed. When we consume cooked or highly processed foods, our digestive system has to produce the enzymes necessary to digest what was eaten.
Our Digestive System
The purpose of our digestive tract is to extract and absorb the essential nutrients contained in our food. Consuming cooked foods can cause our body to take enzymes from the liver, pancreas, and other organs to use in the digestion process. Over time, this can cause these organs to be stressed which can weaken our immune system and slow down our metabolism.
When we consume enzyme-deficient foods, they often sit in the upper portion of the stomach and putrefy instead of being properly pre-digested (due to a lack of enzymes). The body reacts by increasing the white blood cell count as the immune system begins to treat the undigested food as a foreign substance. The body further stresses itself to produce extra digestive enzymes to digest this putrefying material, reducing its ability to produce metabolic enzymes for cellular activity. If stomach acids are not able to complete their work before the food moves into the small intestine, undigested food particles can enter the bloodstream.
This putrefied material coats the small and large intestines, reducing the absorption of nutrients and hindering the expulsion of toxins through the intestinal wall. Bacteria and viruses feed and multiply, causing the body to become susceptible to infection, fatigue, and degenerative disease.
Health Benefits
Digestive enzymes assist in the breakdown of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and sugars. The body can’t utilize the nutrients even in healthy foods unless digestive enzymes are present to aid in the delivery of the nutrients to the bloodstream, cells, and organs. And, these nutrients are what keep the immune system and the rest of the body strong and healthy.
If the body is forced to supply the digestive enzymes needed for digestion, then it has fewer enzymes for other essential body functions. Including supplemental plant enzymes at the time food is consumed provides two important benefits. First, the plant enzymes can go to work immediately to start the digestive process. Second, the body doesn’t have to take enzymes from other organs. This means that more metabolic enzymes will be available to help organs and tissues function properly.
Including enzyme supplements in a daily diet may yield these important benefits:
• Adds to the body’s natural enzyme supply.
• Boosts energy level.
• Helps maintain the health of the immune system.
• Improves overall well-being.
The level of enzymes in young adults is much greater than older adults. This may be due to a steady diet of enzyme free foods depleting the body’s enzyme supply over time.
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