Why Enzymes Are Key to Good Health

Are you fatigued or exhausted? Do you have gas or bloating after eating? Do you suffer from IBS or a more serious inflammatory bowel condition? Are you unable to digest certain foods? You could be low in enzymes.

There are two categories of enzymes made by the body, digestive and systemic.

Digestive enzymes are taken just before or with meals in order that food be properly broken down so that nutrients and energy can be made available to the body. Enzymes for digestion come from the mouth (saliva) stomach, liver, gallbladder and pancreas. Digestion can deplete the rest of the body's enzyme supply, making it unavailable for other critical body processes. To assist digestion, remember to mix your saliva with your food, chewing it about 30 times before swallowing.

Systemic enzymes are protein based, like Protease, Bromelain, and Papain. Other natural sources are Lumbrokinase, Nattokinase, Serrapeptidase, and Venus Fly Trap. They are taken one to two hours before food or two hours after food, but never with food.

Systemic enzymes break down fibrin (especially helpful in healing Lyme Disease, since the organism has now been found to 'hide' itself under a coating of the body's own fibrin, thereby eluding detection from the immune system) and reduce and prevent inflammation.

Why do we need digestive enzymes?

1. The quality and effectiveness of the body's enzyme stores decrease as we age, and we do not have enough enzymes to properly digest our own food. We may also lack numbers of specific enzymes to properly digest certain food groups, like dairy, protein, fat, starch, and sugars. The foods that should provide their own enzymes may not because of how they are now cooked, processed or grown. Microwaving food also destroys not only enzymes but its nutritional value. Most especially difficult to digest are carbohydrates and protein, but undigested carbs contribute to a number of diseases.

2. Undigested food particles can create an immune reaction in the body that results in inflammation and an unbalanced immune system. When food is poorly digested, it goes without saying that it will be improperly absorbed. These undigested particles get into the bloodstream and the immune system sees them as foreign invaders. Particles may become stuck to tissues, and the immune system can attack the body's own tissues, resulting in setting off an inflammatory response and possibly triggering an autoimmune disease.

Why do we need systemic enzymes?

1. Virtually every body function requires enzymes, including breathing, circulation, and immune response. If we are low in enzymes to begin with, the body will be slow to repair or heal, because enzymes are used to dissolve debris and infection. Enzymes are needed to transport nutrients, carry away wastes, purify the blood, deliver hormones, balance cholesterol and triglycerides, nourish the brain, build protein into muscle, and feed and strengthen the endocrine system.

2. Systemic enzymes maintain the blood, tissues and organs. They ensure that your heart beats properly, your muscles effectively contract and relax, your five senses remain sharp, your hormones are balanced, and neurotransmitters for the brain are produced. Active in every cell in your body, they support cell growth and repair.

3. Systemic enzymes reduce clots, ensure healthy circulation, facilitate repair, fight inflammation, and prevent disease. They are essential in any healing regime.

4. Systemic enzymes break down and prevent the accumulation of CIC's - Circulating Immune Complexes, which are groups of immune cells intent on attack of food particles, errant food proteins, and our own tissues. Within the immune system, enzymes are used to digest and destroy foreign invaders like bacteria, viruses, and allergans. Too many of these CICs cause inflammation and trigger autoimmune disease.

It makes sense that healing protocols and general wellness protocols include both digestive and systemic enzymes. It is not uncommon to feel better within two weeks of starting your new regime. Most wellness protocols use a broad spectrum digestive formula and a simple protein systemic enzyme. If you need additional help in digesting fats, for example, adding a fat digesting enzyme like Lipase often proves helpful.

*Most Important: If you are taking herbs or natural supplements, it is now recommended that they be taken with digestive enzymes in order that the supplements be fully broken down. This is the reason why many new preparations are being combined with enzymes. Why take an expensive herb if it will just be eliminated or worse, be used against you?

Read more about herbs and supplements in my monthly newsletter, The Scoop.

Source: Ellen W. Cutler, DC, Micro Miracles: Discover the Healing Power of Enzymes, 2005.

Paula Upton is an intuitive, psychic, and counselor. Read more about me and schedule a session by phone.
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