Enzymes are catalysts that run hundreds of thousands of biochemical reactions in our bodies. Also known as “sparks of life”, they are essential for digesting food, stimulating the brain, providing cellular energy and repairing all tissue.
There are two major types of enzymes, digestive enzymes that help us utilize the nutrition in our food, and metabolic enzymes that are responsible for the chemical reactions within our cells such as energy production and detoxification.
[amazon asin=B0017KEYM2&template=*lrc ad (left)]Research has found that our enzyme producing potential is limited and decreases as we age. Our body chooses to produce digestive enzymes first, at the expense of metabolic enzymes. What is notable about this is that, our food supply is typically so processed that it contains little, if any, enzymes. This means that all of our enzyme producing potential is used to digest our food with very few being left over to run essential processes in the body. It is no wonder that Americans suffer from indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, gas, bloating, constipation and other digestive disorders. They simply can’t produce enough enzymes to digest what they eat and their digestive tract (along with their whole body) suffers the consequences.
To help your whole body, not just your digestion, take a digestive enzyme. There are many different varieties available including those for high protein diets, high carbohydrate diets, high fat diets, etc. Also, eat something raw[amazon asin=B00ECTU6TA&template=*lrc ad (right)] at every meal such as a salad or vegetable sticks. Raw foods contain all of the enzymes necessary to digest them. If you are eating raw nuts, you may want to soak them first as the outer layer contains enzyme inhibitors which are nature’s way of helping them have a longer shelf life – soaking breaks down the enzyme inhibitors, making the nutrients in the nuts more available.
Metabolic enzyme supplements can be used for different conditions in the body – they have many beneficial properties which include reducing pain, inflammation, infections, allergies, edema and tumors. Inflammation and edema respond very well to proteolytic or metabolic enzymes. These enzymes are different from digestive enzymes which must be taken on an empty stomach to allow the enzymes to get into the bloodstream.
For allergies, enzymes help break down the unrecognized proteins that instigate an allergic response. Rheumatoid arthritis sometimes responds well to bromelain, which is pineapple enzyme. Bromelain is a great supplement [amazon asin=B001E8J8GY&template=*lrc ad (left)]for fatty tumors and cysts.
For allergies, inflammation, arthritis, or edema, enzymes are best taken on an empty stomach – otherwise, they will digest your food.
Some simple guidelines that will help you in determining if enzymes might be good for you are: digestive trouble including indigestion, gas, and constipation; sore neck and shoulders; sensitivity in the muscles that move your lower jaw; inflammation and allergies.
Remember that enzymes will make you feel better – whether it’s your digestion or your inflammation.
