Energizing Enzymes For Our Health

Most of us have heard of enzymes, but if you need a refresher, here's an Enzymes 101" of sorts. There are three main types of enzymes: metabolic enzymes, digestive enzymes, and food enzymes. Metabolic enzymes are instrumantal in heart, brain, lung, and kidney function, and literally hundreds of metabolic enzymes keep the body running along. They're in our cells, internal organs, blood and even our bones. Digestive enzymes are secreted by the salvary glands, stomach, pancreas, and small intestine. They break down large food molecules into amaller units that can be absorbed by the blood and into cells. This is essential because that's how our bodies get nourished from the macronutrients: proteins, fats and carbs. In fact, the enzyme protease works to digest proteins, lipase woaks to digest fats, while amylase works to digest carbs. Digestive enzymes spped up the digestive process and without digestive enzymes, food molecules would break down fat to slowly to be absorbed. Food enzymes are found naturally in raw uncooked foods and help digest those foods so their nutrients can be absorbed into the bloodstream. Food enzymes, like digestive enzymes, help to digest food so that it can absorbed properly by the body. Food enzymes can be destroyed, however, when heated above temps of 118 degrees Fahrenheit. We usually lack enzymes from food because we cook them to death. without those raw enzymes, our digestive systems work harder to digest food. In fact, cooked foods can take up to 2 to 3 times longer to pass through the digestive system than raw foods do. Eating enzyme - dead food also taxes your pancreas and other organs from the wear and tear they undergo digesting mostly cooked foods. Additionally the more stress put on these organs, the less time they have to rebuild cells and tissues or keep the immune system strong. Overcooked foods aren't the only reason we come up short on enzymes, though. Eating processed or fast foods, being run down or under stress, living in an overly hot or cold climate, the aging process, pregnancy, being a frequent flyer, or even sweating can diminish enzyme stores. In turn your health can take a hit because overall health is tied to digestive health and good digestion relies on the right enzymes in the right amounts - at the right place and time. Luckily eating raw, cultured or sprouted foods can help keep your enzyme levels energized.