jonpboy
Just a few ways how enzymes may help improve your health
Purifies our blood. It is a known fact that fungal forms, parasites and bacteria are made up of protein. Viruses also have a protein coating as a shell that protect them. The enzyme protease breaks down proteins, and since the invaders of our blood system are protein, it makes sense that ingesting protease could break down the protein invaders.
Strengthens our immune system. Enzymes have been found to deliver nutrients to our cells, carry away toxic debris, digest our food, purify our blood, deliver hormones by feeding and fortifying our endocrine system and balance our cholesterol and triglycerides levels while doing no harm to our body
Breaks down fats. Research has shown that the enzyme lipase breaks down and digests fat. This takes stress off our gallbladder, liver and pancreas. This will enhance weight loss.
Enzymes lower our cholesterol and triglycerides levels.Cholesterol and triglycerides are fats that circulate in our blood stream. The enzyme lipase will control the release of these fats which could protect us from certain forms of heart disease, like atherosclerosis.
Enzymes enhance our mental capacity. Our body usesglucose called from the liver to feed and fortify the hypothalamus. Glucose is made from the protein stored in our liver. Most all plant foods contain protein enzymes. Our red blood cells carry oxygen to the brain and along with glucose to feed the brain cells. When there is a dysfunction with this mechanism we become fatigued and are unable to think clearly. The hypothalamus directs our endocrine system and is responsible for our water balance, body temperature, appetite and emotions.
Enzymes cleanse our colon. Foods that are not digested properly are stored in our colon and digestive problems can begin. Some researchers estimate that nearly 70% of all illness starts in our colon. Undigested protein putrefies, carbohydrates ferment, and fats turn rancid in our colon. Enzymes will break down our foods properly and keep our colon free of these toxins. In fact, it is recommended by many researchers that it is healthy to have at least two bowel movements per day.
Enzymes help us sleep. Enzymes enhance our endocrine glands. The under nourished endocrine system may create a malfunction in our hormonal system which can upset our nervous system and sleep patterns. When we are unable to digest our food or deliver the nutrients to keep our endocrine and nervous system in balance, we cannot rebuild our lifestyle or energy level.
Enzymes help us shed excess weight and fat. Many overweight people have a metabolic imbalance or will soon create one.
Remember, our endocrine system regulates our metabolism. Once we are able to fortify the endocrine system, have our bowels working regularly and can digest our food rather than turning it into fat, we have a successful combination. Enzymes, especially lipase, will break down our fats properly, which will help us bum fat, thus promoting weight loss.
Improves aging skin. An adequate supply of enzymes are absolutely essential for keeping the skin young-looking and healthy. Enzymes fight the aging process by increasing blood supply to the skin, bringing with it life-giving nutrients and carrying away waste products that can make your skin look dull and wrinkled. Our circulation slows down as we get older. To counteract this we need to consume more enzymes.
Maintains proper pH balance our Gl-tract. Friendly flora such as L. Acidophilus and bifidobacerium are important to the intestinal tract for maintaining proper pH and also for controlling the population of potential pathogenic organisms like clostridium and Candida. Plant flora enzymes have now been proven to be very effective in the pathogen control role of beneficial bacteria. Another role of beneficial bacteria is the actual synthesis of highly favorable natural chemicals in the colon through the fermentation process. These fermentive products include such molecular species as natural antibiotics and very importantly, digestive enzymes. These enzymes can play an extremely important role in the digestion of otherwise incompletely digested food substances, especially proteins.
Enzymes maintain proper pH balance in the urine. Research has shown that a balance of the plant enzymes (lipase, protease, and amylase) eaten by individuals produce a proper urine pH of 6.3 to 6.6 in 24 hour urinalysis.
The Benefits of Plant Sterols
Did you know that walnuts significantly reduce your blood cholesterol? Rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids and plant sterols, walnuts help keep the blood vessels healthy and elastic. Almonds also have a similar effect, resulting in a marked health improvement within weeks. A cholesterol-lowering diet where 20% of your calories come from walnuts can reduce your LDL cholesterol by as much as 12%. Now that's food-for-thought.
After more than ten years of clinical trials and double-blind studies, foods containing plant sterols have been proven to be effective at dealing with the chronic pain of autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Sterols are fats from plants found in all plant-based foods. Sterolins are glucosides, which are molecular structures fixed to the sterol. Sterolins must be eaten straight from their source because they are easily destroyed, and without them, the plant sterols don't have the same immune-enhancing affects. This is the primary reason plant sterolins and sterols should be in the proper ratio of 100:1, which balances and improves immune system function.
The right combination of plant sterolins and sterols plays an important role in maximizing the body's immune functions. Within a short time of eating plant sterols, those plagued by autoimmune disorders, like rheumatoid arthritis, have reported a major decrease in their symptoms, especially a reduction in inflammation and chronic joint pain.
These important plant fats (sterolins and sterols) occur in all plant life, but some more than others. Kelp and other seaweeds are rich in sterols and sterolins, which is one of the many reasons people in Asian countries have less degenerative diseases than those in North America and in the highly industrialized nations.
Raw foods provide plant sterols and sterolins along with the essential enzymes, vitamins and minerals your body needs to stay healthy. All vegetables contain from five to 40 milligrams of plant sterols and sterolins. This concentration increases when they are dried, because vegetables contain about 80% water. Fruit contains two to 30 milligrams plant sterols, and all seeds are rich in plant sterols when they mature, including nuts, cereals, beans and seed-derived spices. Slicing, grating, and juicing fresh plant material does not affect sterols, but the refining process does. Link to my 75/25 Eating Plan and pH pamphlet for a list of raw foods rich in plant sterols.
Even though many people fear nuts because they are high in calories, a mere handful will suffice in cleansing your liver and your blood. As with any food, eating too much can cause weight gain and adverse health reactions. To avoid gaining weight, replace foods high in saturated fat with foods rich in sterols and sterolins, such as organic nuts. Instead of using cheese on a meat sandwich, add extra vegetables between those two slices of whole grain bread, and add a handful of walnuts or almonds and fresh seeds to a salad instead of cheese and croutons.
When eaten, plant sterols can inhibit the absorption of cholesterol in the small intestine. This means that dietary cholesterol - dietary cholesterol from junk foods and saturated fats to be specific - has a harder time getting into your body system. Plant sterols are almost identical in chemical structure to cholesterol so the body uses them in the same way; hence, they cleanse the liver and the blood by blocking the absorption of "bad" cholesterol during digestion, and by stopping the re-absorption of LDL cholesterol in the liver.
Plant sterols can prevent the absorption of cholesterol if consumed on a regular basis, which I recommend for at least two meals a day. A healthy diet of daily fruits, vegetables and grains, nuts, beans and seeds can provide the body with a healthy amount of plant sterols, sterolins, and other beneficial enzymes and nutrients needed to cleanse the blood and boost the immune system.
The following are common foods naturally rich in plant sterols and sterolins:
Avocado
Walnuts
Almonds
Soybeans
Cold-pressed olive oil
Peanuts
Sunflower seeds
Wheat germ oil
Sesame seeds
Digestive Enzyme Supplements & What They Do
Your body needs the help of enzymes to break food down to a molecular level. If you eat a lot of cooked or processed foods, you will have a shortage of enzymes in your body. Supplementation or eating raw foods may help increase your enzyme levels.
- Reduces Digestive Problems
A digestive supplement may help if you have frequent gas, abdominal cramping, bowel disorders, and/or bloating, heartburn. It will improve digestive process wherever problems arise. Also, as we age, there is less enzyme production that often leads to future digestive problems.
- Aids Glands in Breaking Down Food
Four glands assist in breaking down your food for proper digestion: salivary, pancreas, stomach and small intestine. If any of these glands do not have the proper amount of enzymes, they cannot do their part in digestion. Enzyme supplements aid in the proper mix of enzymes for each gland.
- Breaks Down Fats, Carbohydrates and Proteins
The pancreas secretes juices that have enzymes in them to break down fats, carbs and proteins in food. The small intestine also aids in breaking these down. Enzyme supplements can help when the body is struggling to break down any of these foods.
- Breaks Down Processed Foods
Enzymes are found naturally in plants and animals that form our diets. When we cook food or eat too much processed commercial foods, there are fewer enzymes available in the foods themselves, thus requiring enzyme supplementation.
- Deficiencies
Since various enzymes in the body work together to aid in the digestion process, supplementation of a wide variety of enzymes can make up for any enzyme deficiencies in the body.
- Nutrient Absorption
Without enzymes working properly, the absorption of nutrients and vitamins may be inhibited. Enzyme supplementation can help ensure that foods are broken down and their nutrients absorbed to get you the full benefit of the foods you consume.