What are enzymes?
Enzymes are energy protein molecules that are necessary for life. They catalyze and regulate chemical reactions and are an essential part of every activity in the body. Digestive enzymes turn the food we eat into energy and unlock this energy for use in the body. Our bodies naturally produce digestive enzymes and the enzymes that run your metabolic processes. We also get enzymes from another source: those that we ingest. Since these delicate, lifelike substances are found in all living cells, whether animal or plant, enzymes are naturally present in all raw foods. We can also take enzyme supplements, which adds to our reserves.
WHY DO I NEED ENZYME SUPPLEMENTATION?
It is essential to break down food so as to get its nutrients. However, for
various reasons, we do not have all digestive functions in optimum condition to
sustain wellness. We experience deficiencies and irregularities in our
development, and so we end up functioning at less than an optimum level.
Additionally, environmental exposures and stress levels continually undermine
digestive function. Even the types of food we eat play a role, since it is hard
to digest processed foods. Because of these genetic, lifestyle/behavioral, and
food composition factors, no one really has optimum digestion. Because your own
enzymes will not get there in time, supplementing your diet with enzyme
supplements will provide these necessary enzymes.
Enzymes are heat sensitive, so they are destroyed when food is cooked or
processed. As we continually deprive our body of enzymes over the years, we
begin to experience illnesses such as ulcers, constipation, bloating, arthritis,
headaches, PMS, and chronic fatigue. That is why we need to eat enzyme-rich raw
foods and supplement our diet with plant enzymes.
WHAT CREATES DIGESTIVE INABILITY?
Without proper nutrition, the body cannot make new
enzymes. Without adequate enzymes, the body cannot digest food and acquire
nutrients. This creates a cycle. The body is not being replenished at the same
rate of demand. When you include stress, strenuous exercise, colds, fevers,
pregnancy, changes in weather conditions, ingesting caffeine and alcoholic
beverages, and the normal loss of enzymes through sweat, urine, feces, and
digestive fluids, you are looking at a critical need for enzyme supplementation.
When you habitually eat food that is deficient in enzymes without taking enzymes
supplements, your digestive organs become exhausted. Since the body puts a
higher priority on digestion than on maintaining health, other parts of the body
will suffer if there is a lack of nutrients and enzymes. This depletes the
immune system and will eventually weaken the body to the point where it has
difficulty defending itself against disease.