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There are about 2,800 different enzymes involved in human bodily processes. This multitude is necessary for digestion and metabolism to run efficiently, and each enzyme has a special job to do. Simply listing the names of all the enzymes would resemble reading a chemistry dictionary, so instead I will share with you the wonderful benefits we are blessed with when our food contains plenty of enzymes.

Enzymes are in all living creatures-animals, plants and micro-organisms. They are a component of every living cell and present in the fruits and vegetables we eat. Basically, enzymes are proteins, but of a highly complicated nature. Their very specific purpose is to initiate a chemical reaction, which involves the separation of food molecule bonds, preparing them for digestion and metabolism. That’s why we call them “sparkplugs” or catalysts. Without them no digestion would take place, just as a car would not run without a sparkplug igniting an explosion, thereby creating energy to move.

Different enzymes are required to split the food molecules for each food group or nutrient. For example, amylase breaks down starch, lactase is required to digest the milk sugar lactose, lipase will split fat molecules into lipids, while peptidase and pepsin will start the digestion process of protein by separating it into its building blocks of amino acids.

Other enzymes are involved in the fermentation process (e.g. changing sugar into alcohol), or used for cleaning and in solutions to keep contact lenses spotlessly clean.

Our bank of enzymes is full at birth, and by eating fresh fruits and vegetables we are replenishing the reserves and the enzymes used. Nature provides every newborn with a reserve of enzymes to make it through the first years of life. Later in life the enzymes need to come from food-fresh food, that is, because enzymes are killed when heated at temperatures of 60 C and higher. This means that all canned or processed food, and any cooked foods, are devoid of enzymes. Even drying and freezing reduces the amounts of enzymes.

Refined sugars will overtax the pancreas and it will eventually give up supplying enzymes for making insulin-the onset of diabetes. By eating fresh fruits and vegetables, on the other hand, we replenish the reserves and the enzymes used. Fruits especially rich in digestive enzymes are papaya, with papain,, and pineapples which supply the enzyme bromelain. Whenever there is a deficiency of enzymes the body will react accordingly. Those with lactase deficiency will experience gas, bloating, diarrhea, and intestinal cramps as the undigested milk sugar enters into a fermentation process. When the body is deficient of the enzyme liapase, fat molecules will not be split properly, causing unbalanced absorption of fatty acids and a severely disturbed hormone environment. The result can be skin disorders, hair loss, glandular and nerve dysfunction. Other signs of enzyme deficiency are joint stiffness, allergies, circulatory disorders, premature aging, pain, and a general lack of energy.

The positive effects of enzymes, in keeping the body healthy, are often created in synergy with other active substances including hormones, minerals (such as zinc) and vitamins, (such as B₁ and B₆). We call them co-enzymes and co-factors because they are required to activate enzymes into doing their job. That’s why it’s so important to consume a whole food diet consisting of at least one-third fresh, raw fruits and vegetables. Fermented foods, including sauerkraut, salt-brine dill pickles (not the vinegar variety), red beets, and mixed vegetable pickles are also very rich in enzymes. Unpasteurized milk contains enzymes that help in digestion. However, pasteurization kills off these beneficial enzymes. Likewise, fermented milk products, yogurt, kefir, and buttermilk contain enzymes that already digested the milk sugar by turning it into lactic acid, making these products easily digestible for those who are milk intolerant.

There are a variety of enzyme blends available in health food stores. Some are simple digestive formulas containing bromelain and papain, or even just lactase to help digest milk and cheese. Other blends include a full palette of enzymes, which of course is reflected in the price.

Are we enzyme deficient? Probably-our lifestyle is not what it used to be. Most of us have adopted a faster paced, more hectic lifestyle, which does not include three full and balanced daily meals of organic and fresh ingredients. Often food is consumed in restaurants with a limited choice of items, or is pre-prepared and processed. The alternative is a complete change of diet to include more enzyme-rich raw foods, or to add supplements. While the former would be the better choice it is quite logical to supplement the diet with digestive enzymes to help all nutrients to be absorbed. Supplemental enzymes can help with complaints, such as gas and bloating and diarrhea associated with inefficient or incomplete digestion. For better health be sure to include more enzymes in your diet.

Source: alive #253, November 2003