Did you know research has shown that our body’s ability to produce enzymes decreases as we age? And, while this is taking place, malabsorption of nutrients, the breakdown of tissue, and chronic health conditions as a whole increase. Some folks believe that enzyme supplementation is vital for elderly people. Well, yikes! I’m not young, young, but I do have to admit I am slowing down some. I feel sluggish a lot. So what exactly does this mean? What’s all this talk about enzymes anyway?
I read that the late Dr. Edward Howell, a physician and pioneer in enzyme research, called enzymes the “sparks of life”. Enzymes assist us in most all bodily functions. Each enzyme has a specific function and each one has a specialized chemical shape. They can only initiate a reaction in a certain substance or group of related substances. Basically the body must produce a great number of different enzymes.
Some of the different enzymes would be: digestive enzymes which break down food particles for storage in our muscles and liver, blood enzymes which allow iron to concentrate in our blood and also blood enzymes to help the blood coagulate to stop bleeding, uricolytic enzymes catalyze the conversion of uric acid, respiratory enzymes facilitate the elimination of carbon dioxide from the lungs, enzymes also assist the kidneys, liver, lungs, colon, and skin in removing wastes and toxins from the body. Enzymes also help with the construction of new muscle tissue, nerve cells, bone, skin, and gland tissue. Enzymes do all this and more! Enzymes are so crucial to our health that I am awestruck.
Scientists break enzymes down into two groups: digestive enzymes and metabolic enzymes. The digestive enzymes break down foods. There are three categories of digestive enzymes. The Amylase break down carbohydrates, and then different types of amylase break down specific types of sugar. Protease helps to digest protein. Lipase aids in fat digestion. The metabolic enzymes are the enzymes that have to do with various chemical reactions with the cells, such as energy production and detoxification. So if we want more energy it appears more enzymes are the key.
Well the fact is that our body manufactures a supply of enzymes and we also obtain enzymes from the food that we eat. The problem is these enzymes are very sensitive to heat. Actually, they are extremely sensitive to heat. A temperature of 118 degrees or above destroys most enzymes in food. This would mean that in order to prevent depleting our body of enzymes we would have to eat raw foods or take enzyme supplements.
So where can we find enzymes if we eat raw foods? Enzymes are in foods from both plant and animal sources. Some great sources would be avocados, papayas, pineapples, bananas, and mangos. These are all high in enzymes. Sprouts and blue-green algae are the richest source. Unripe papaya and pineapple are also good sources of enzymes.
Now it all makes sense to me. Why am I so tired and sluggish all the time? It has to do with the lack of enzymes. I want my “spark” back! The great thing is, it isn’t impossible to do. As a matter of fact it is relatively easy to do. And, considering the importance of enzymes to our overall health, I decided to get my “spark“ back! I now have a goal, and that is to help others find their spark. My hope is for each and everyone to be able to make their life work better.The best place to start is with your health. If you find a health solution that works for you then trust me, everything else will fall into place.
Melinda Kempenich is the mother of three children and the wife of a State Representative from the great State of North Dakota. She knows firsthand how difficult it is to make life work when you are tired all the time.
