Do we need enzymes?

Raw foods contain enzymes!
Food when cooked becomes deficient in enzymes.
Enzymes are needed for

• energy production
• healing cuts & wounds & for mounting a defence against infections
• helping in removing toxic waste from cells
• reducing inflammation, which accompanies all disease.
• digesting fats
• longevity
• healthy immune system function

Just like Yin energy, the reserve of which is determined at birth  for each individual & if used up long before the person grows older, causes a 'lack' leading to weakened kidney function as well as a host of chronic conditions.
In life we see everything needs to be balanced - work & rest, the external verses the internal,socialising & time spent alone etc

We are all born with a well of enzymes, stored within the pancreas, although the body has the ability of producing them in the salivary glands, and in the gut.
If we use up all these enzymes long before we have completed our cycle within this body, then enzymes are depleted.
Enzyme depletion occurs when we eat refined foods or foods that require a large amount of enzymes to digest.


 Main types of enzymes
* lipase:     aids in digesting fats
* sucrase:  aids in breaking down complex sugars & starches
* cellulase: breaks down fibres
* amylase: breaks down starches, sugar & carbohydrates
* lactase:   aids in digesting dairy products
* protease: breaks down proteins
* maltase:  digests malt sugars found in grains

We can increase your enzyme levels by eating raw (living) foods, chewing food properly to allow it to mix thoroughly with saliva to start the digestion and eating less. Of course you can add a good quality food based enzyme supplement to your daily regime.

Freshly grown sprouts contain high levels of enzymes. 

Enzymes are not only needed for digestion but also for healing the body. In this case they are termed SYSTEMIC ENZYMES.
Systemic enzymes need to be taken on an empty stomach otherwise they will be used for digestion of food.
Enzymes when taken on an empty stomach are used by the body for repair, for cleaning the blood, getting rid of dead cells & other debri, dissolve blood clots, 

Although all diseases must necessarily be treated differently, systemic enzymes are beneficial in all diseases because using systemic enzymes reduces inflammation in the body thereby healing whatever needs healing in the body. 

Whatever you eat, no matter how nutritious, it will not help unless it is digested...

Thus paying attention to digestion is of paramount importance.

Sources of enzymes:

• Probiotics
• Digestive enzymes ( I use Vitalzym because it has a comprehensive list of enzymes, is enteric coated, vegetarian.)           
• Fermented foods
• fruits such as Papaya or Pineapple

The positive effect of enzymes

This article is worth a read

The information provided in this article is simply for educational purposes & is not meant to treat or diagnose any illness.  It is always best to seek advice from an alternative medical practitioner or a Nutritional therapist.