Health benefits of enzymes

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Enzymes are vital to health.  Enzymes are called "the keys to the fountain of youth".  If we do not get sufficient enzymes, we will age faster. This is because our bodies' enzyme production slows down.  Enzymes are molecules involved in speeding up chemical reactions necessary for body functions.  Coenzymes help the enzymes in their chemical reaction.  Virtually all the food we eat are completely indigestible until enzymes break them down into simpler substances which can be absorbed by the blood stream.  Enzymes not only break down foods into smaller molecules, but they also stop tissue damage during inflammation.

Your body manufacturers enzymes in enormous quantities, each performing a different function.  Glands and organs depend upon enzymatic activity and cannot function properly without enzymes.  

When we obtain enough enzymes from live food that we eat, they help provide boundless energy. When enzymes are missing it can throw the glands and other body systems out-of-balance and causes a person to feel fatigued and exhausted. When people consume large quantities of cooked proteins and starches, and very little enzyme-rich fruits and vegetables, are often tired and have little "pep".  Enzymes are destroyed by heat, therefore enzymes can only be obtained from raw, live foods, or supplementation. 

Enzymes play a major role in the digestive system. The body's ability to break down food is depend on enzymatic transactions.  

There are several categories of enzymes:

Pancreatin is an enzyme secreted by the pancreas to aid in the digestive process

Papain is an enzyme found in papaya and plays a key role in the digestion of proteins

Lipase deals with the breakdown of fats and cholesterol in the digestive system.  A lack of lipase results in poor absorption of fats and fat-soluble vitamins.

Trypsin is a chromium-dependent enzyme which aids in the breakdown of amino acids for absorption

Protease which breaks down protein is found in pineapple and figs. When proteins are not digested completely, toxic substances form and allergies may develop.  

Amylase works to break down carbohydrates.  Amylase is secreted by the salivary glands and the pancreas.

Cellulase (which assists in breaking down cellulose).  Cellulose, partially digested by bacteria in the large intestine, occurs in wheat bran, wheatgerm, processed bran and whole grain cereals .  

There are varying degrees of digestive enzyme deficiency. Low levels of digestive enzymes can lead to a toxic colon and other health conditions that can range from indigestion to cystic fibrosis, pancreatic insufficiency, celiac disease and Chron's disease.  

Some foods available in the diet are a source of digestive enzymes.  Pineapples contain bromelain and unripe papayas contain papain, both of which are proteolytic enzymes and they should not be taken with supplements of hydrochloric acid, which would inactivate the enzyme.

Keep in kind that if your diet consists of junk food, enzyme therapy will not be that beneficial to make you a healthy individual, therefore eating and wholesome diet will offer the most benefit .

It's easy to add digestive enzymes to a meal, either by eating fresh pineapple or papaya or by trying a supplement.  If digestion is not improved, this could indicate an enzyme deficiency and the following supplements would be beneficial.

Food Enzymes - This formulation supplements the body’s production of these enzymes. For example, pepsin is used for the digestion of proteins in an acid environment (betaine hydrochloride or HCl); pancreatin is produced by the pancreas to digest proteins, carbohydrates and fats in alkaline environments; mycozyme digests starches; papain and bromelain digest protein; bile salt makes fats soluble and prepares them for further digestion by lipase.
Hi Lipase  is any one of a class of enzymes that assist in the breakdown of dietary fats. Lipases are produced by the liver, pancreas and other digestive organs.

Lactase Plus  - The lactase and protease enzymes in Lactase Plus help many people who have difficulty digesting dairy products by aiding the breakdown of milk sugar and milk protein.

Proactazyme Plus   contains amylase, glucoamylase, lipase, cellulase, invertase, malt diastase, alpha galactosidase and peptidase to digest all types of food. It also contains a blend of protease formulated to digest proteins at various pH levels ranging from 3.0 to 6.0. New enzymes added to the formula help break down sugars, vegetable fibers, long-chain starches and proteins. This formula contains only plant-sourced enzymes, thus it works well for vegetarians.

Protease Plus  also supports immunity by activating macrophages and natural killer cells. This formula provides a full spectrum of plant-derived trace minerals, which help activate enzymes. Each capsule of NSP Protease Plus contains 60,000 HUT protease in a base of beet root fiber and plant-sourced trace mineral concentrate. This blend of proteases is formulated to digest proteins in a pH range of 3.0 to 6.0. 

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