Our
bodies contain millions of tiny building blocks,
which continually renew, maintain and protect
us. No person, plant or animal could exist without
them. In essence, they are the fountain of life.
They are a “magical force,” called
enzymes.
Enzymes are one of the most important factors
governing our health and our lives. They are
the accelerators of every biochemical process.
Frequently, the very people suffering from pain
and disease (who need enzymes the most) do not
know about them. Many doctors are unaware of
enzyme benefits. Therefore, it is vital that
we acquire personal knowledge of enzymes and
enzyme therapy. This knowledge can help us take
charge of our own lives.
Enzymes and enzyme therapy have a long history
in our civilization. It is possible that the
Chinese, many thousands of years ago, had discovered
the energetic powers of enzymes in their search
for the harmony of life.
Although the use of enzymes by the Chinese is
uncertain, there is no doubt that the Egyptians,
the Greeks and the Arabs felt that an unseen
force existed which changed grape juice into
wine, dough into bread, and malt into beer.
Only in the presence of enzymes does inanimate
material change, a controlled biochemical metabolism
takes place, and, as a result, vital energy
becomes available. Enzymes are responsible for
synthesizing, joining together and duplicating
whole chains of amino acids, and, hence, for
producing living organisms. These amino acid
chains are known as proteins. Enzymes themselves
are also nothing more than proteins of high
molecular weight, found in all living cells,
and specific in how each catalyzes a biochemical,
reaction.
During every second of our lives more than 2,700
different enzymes are constantly changing and
renewing, sometimes at breathtaking speed. All
this is necessary to stay alive. Performing
these activities is a complicated interlocking
network, which no computer could begin to imitate.
All life processes consist of a complex series
of chemical reactions. The total of these reactions
is referred to as metabolism. Enzymes are the
catalysts that facilitate these chemical reactions.
Without enzymes, many of the body’s chemical
reactions would never take place. One may be
deficient in enzymes for various reasons.
Enzymes have been classified into six basic
groups, depending upon the types of catalyzed
reactions which they cause one group, hydrolytic
enzymes (hydrolases) are the most widely used
in combating acute injuries and chronic disease.
Of this group, there are enzymes, which digest
protein (called protease), fats (called Lipase)
and starch or carbohydrates (called amylase).
Although the proteases have a particular ability
to break down certain proteins, they do not
attack the beneficial proteins that make up
normal cells.
Hydrolytic enzymes have the ability to: 1) speed
up the inflammatory process, thereby leading
to earlier recovery, and 2) stimulate the body’s
immune system. That is, they are useful in helping
the body’s defense mechanisms to recover
and fight disease naturally.
The environment in which an enzyme functions
greatly influences the effectiveness of the
catalytic enzymes. For instance, each enzyme
has an optimal pH range, which may be broad
or narrow. Excessive acidity or alkalinity can
effect reactions rates and denature enzymes.
Temperature, too, is important. At 104 F (40
C) enzymes are in a “fever” of activity.
For this reason, our body raises its temperature
(naturally, with the aid of enzymes) when a
crisis occurs, such as a fever.
Coenzymes (or cofactors) such as vitamins, trace
elements and minerals are essential for the
activity of many enzymes. Enzymes cannot do
their work without vitamins, and vitamins cannot
do any work without enzymes. Both segments of
an enzyme (apo- and co-) must be present and
active to help each other. The apoenzyme is
the protein
portion, while the coenzyme is the vitamin and
mineral portion. This is a good rationale for
combining the use of vitamins, minerals and
enzymes. Enzymes are unique: they not only act
as catalysts, but in many instances cause biochemical
reactions. Many times enzymes are depleted during
chemical reactions. Therefore, they must be
replaced by, 1) synthesis in the body itself
or, 2) specific supplementation (such as raw
foods, vitamins, minerals and enzymes).
Not every vitamin is essential for the production
of a co-enzyme. Principally, vitamins B1, B2,
B6, B12 and vitamin C, together with some less
well-known vitamins are essential.
In addition, the presence of metal ions is required
for the activity of many enzymes. Certain metal
ions increase activity while others decrease
or inhibit activity. Calcium cobalt, copper,
iron, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, potassium
and zinc are metal ions, which are most frequently
used as enzyme activators.
Ions, atoms or molecules, which terminate or
retard enzyme activity, are called inhibitors.
Certain heavy metal ions (such as barium, lead
and mercury) inhibit enzyme reactions.
We live as long as our body can make enzymes.
If our body is not manufacturing them fast enough,
they must be obtained elsewhere. This is similar
to a car manufacturer who uses a certain part
faster then it can be made. Therefore, it must
be obtained from an outside source. As the years
go by, the machinery making the part slows down
with wear and produces fewer parts. More and
more parts must be obtained from outside the
car factory.
This is exactly the same process which occurs
with enzymes as our body ages. Fewer enzymes
are produced by the body and their activity
level diminishes.
Since all living organisms depend on enzymes,
all organisms may be considered sources of enzymes,
including animal, plants, microorganisms and
fungi.
An excellent source of enzymes is raw foods.
Cooking at temperatures higher than 140 F kills
active enzymes. There are certain raw foods
that are high in enzymes, others are not. Sprouts
are especially high in enzymes. Others include:
bananas, cabbage, carrots, apples, oranges,
pineapples, grapefruit, raw fresh undried dates
and figs and nuts or seeds. Some people, however,
have trouble digesting raw foods and must eat
them cooked (or partially cooked). In addition,
some raw foods inhibit enzyme activity. These
include raw nuts, raw potatoes, raw soybeans
and raw egg white. Sprouting soybeans (and other
seeds) retains the enzyme activity while destroying
the inhibitors.
Present civilization, however, is a slave to
processed foods; foods that have been overheated,
over processed, treated with pesticides, preservatives,
colors and flavors. Could it be the cardboard
box containing a fast-food meal has a higher
nutrient value than the contents?
Since a raw food diet is impossible for many
people, supplements are essential. Enzyme supplements
are extracted from plants (papaya, pineapple),
animals (trypsin, chymotrypsin and pancreatin
from cows) and fungi. Some enzyme supplements
help those who have difficulty digesting protein,
fat, sugar, starch or cellulose, and are called
digestive enzymes. If we eat food without chewing
properly (perhaps because of inadequate teeth),
or if we over-drink or over-worry we interfere
with digestion.
Enzymes can also be used therapeutically to
help speed up recovery time from injury, bolster
the immune system, prevent disease, fight degenerative
disorders (such as arthritis, circulatory disorders
and cancer), and slow the aging process.
As one ages, the body’s enzyme supply
decreases in amount and activity level, resulting
in wrinkled skin, sagging muscles and diminished
vitality. These decreases are at least partially
responsible for the development of the characteristic
symptoms of aging or premature aging. For example,
the graying of hair has been attributed to a
lack of tyrosinase, or a loss in activity of
the enzyme, with advancing age.
Plasmin and the proteolytic enzyme, plasminogen,
are important in maintaining the equilibrium
between blood clotting and dissolving of clots.
Researchers have found that the synthesis of
plasminogen, and of plasminogen activators,
is reduced during aging. This, of course, favors
the formation of fibrin deposits in the blood
vessels. Cholesterol and other fatty materials
tend to become associated with the fibrin and
this can lead to hardening of the arteries –
a condition which can cause heart attacks and
decreases the function of the brain, kidneys,
eyes and ears.
In today’s fast-paced society, we are
constantly under stress (physical, emotional,
nutritional, and environmental, etc.). Stress
increases the need for enzymes. Vitamins and
minerals alone may not be sufficient to keep
a person healthy, to prevent disease. Without
enzymes – despite increased vitamin and
mineral intake – degenerative disorders,
such as arthritis, multiple sclerosis, cancer,
herpes, HIV/AIDS, heart disease and diabetes
tend to increase in incidence.
Enzyme supplements should not be taken by hemophiliacs,
those suffering from pancreatitis or pregnant
women.
It can be said that enzymes are the fountain
of life – without them, we cannot function.
There are certain factors (such as temperature
and pH) which influence the effectiveness of
these enzymes. Because of pollutants, stress,
etc., foods alone cannot adequately supply the
body’s need for enzymes. Therefore, enzyme
supplements are essential to successfully maintain
health, fight disease and reduce the rate of
aging.
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