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Enzymes And Your Diet

By: Corinna Underwood - Updated: 11 Nov 2013 | comments*Discuss
 
Enzymes Diet Food Eating Nutrition

What are Enzymes?

Enzymes are proteins which act as catalysts to promote or speed up chemical processes, such as the digestions of food or the replacement of tissue.

Enzymes are necessary for the functioning of every organ. Every genetic program is related to an enzyme. Without them we would die. Some of the specific functions of enzymes are;

  • Digesting food.
  • Breaking down toxins.
  • Cleansing the blood.
  • Strengthening the immune system.
  • Building protein into muscle.
  • Eliminating carbon dioxide from the lungs.
  • Reducing stress on the pancreas and other vital organs.
Enzymes have a limited life and must be replaced regularly. Nine basic enzymes come from the food we eat. The body converts these into over 3,000different varieties, which serve combined or individual purposes. Tests have shown that older people (70 years plus) have about half the enzymes of younger people (around 20 years old). Once illness or infection have invaded, the older body works overtime struggling to produce enzymes the immune system needs to overcome the problem. Often it cannot produce enough and chronic disease sets in, such as cancer, heart disease, arthritis, etc. Over 200 other diseases result from worn out or defective gene controlled enzymes such as: high blood pressure, hardening of the arteries, circulatory problems, diabetes, tuberculosis, psoriasis, dermatitis, cirrhosis, hepatitis, rheumatism, oedema, varicose veins, pancreatitis, etc.

What are Enzymes for?

Enzymes are present in every food we eat. There are seven categories of food enzymes;
  • Lipase, which serves to break down fat;
  • Protease, which works to break down protein;
  • Cellulase, which assists to break down fibres;
  • Amylase to break down starch;
  • Lactase to break down dairy foods;
  • Sucrase to break down sugars; and
  • Maltase to break down grains.
Cooking food at a temperature that exceeds 118 degrees Fahrenheit kill them all. Due to the overwhelming amount of processed food that people eat nowadays, we tend not to get enough enzymes. Because of this our bodies' tend to draw on metabolic enzymes to do the job that digestive enzymes should be doing. When this happens illness ensues, because our depleted metabolic enzymes are unable to help stay in good shape or fight illness.

Where to Obtain Enzymes

In order to maintain a healthy level of enzymes we need to eat more raw foods or take enzyme supplements. Enzyme supplementation has no side effects because it utilizes natural foods rather than drugs and can easily replenish the body with the level of enzymes it needs to maintain good health.

Enzymes and Health

People with hypoglycaemia, endocrine gland deficiencies, obesity, anorexia nervosa, and stress-related problems, could all benefit from multiple and individual enzyme supplementation. During all acute and chronic illnesses, enzymes are used up more rapidly than normal. Individual enzymes have also been used to alleviate skin ailments; (psoriasis, acne, eruptions, stretch marks, etc.), chronic inflammation, cardiovascular disease, circulatory problems, high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, high cholesterol, fatigue, Epstein-Barr Syndrome, asthma, allergies, arthritis, swelling, bee stings, joint mobility, diabetes, respiratory ailments, viruses, bacteria, mutant cells, fever, all types of infections (including colds, flu, sore throat, yeast), parasites, Candida albicans, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, tumours, depression, anxiety, ADD/ADHD and insomnia.

Clinical trials have proven that the more enzymes you take, the quicker your body can repair, restore, and strengthen itself, sometimes taking a few days to a few weeks. However, for minimal usage, you must wait at least 3 to 4 months before you will see any dramatic results. It takes time to restore the body's natural ability to repair, and strengthen itself, so you must be patient.

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