Digestive Enzymes and Systemic Enzymes

Enzymes have always amazed me even before I knew what they were. As a child my mother would rinse my hair with vinegar—I had the shiniest hair in the third grade. As a teenager I happened upon a skin cleanser made with pineapple enzymes—it was fantastic for my teenage acne. In my herbal course I read a discussion of enzymes and that yogurt was excellent for getting rid of dandruff—yes, it does work. I began a whole food experimentation phase. I used apple cider vinegar for poison ivy, yogurt facial masks, and discovered papaya is great for gastritis. Of course in whole food there are other constituents at work beside the enzymes.

Enzymes have multiple functions in the body. They are key to the proper digestion of food so the body can assimilate nutrients from plants and meats. Recent research has investigated the use of systemic proteolytic enzymes to support the immune system and help the body normalize the inflammatory process.  

As we age, our enzymes become depleted. Bad diet, environmental toxins and general stress contribute to the destruction and depletion of enzymes. Chronic illness also tends to deplete the body’s enzymes. When foods are cooked the enzyme contents are greatly reduced, or destroyed. When foods are commercially processed, for example in canning, they lose their enzymes.

Meats, dairy, fruits and vegetables are perfect synergistic packages—complete with the enzymes needed to digest them. Also the body is capable of producing some enzymes in our intestines. The heat of cooking processes destroys enzymes. The pasteurization process where milk is heated to approximately 145 degrees destroys bacteria and microbes, however this heating process also destroys the needed digestive enzymes. The cooking, barbecuing, frying and drying of meat destroys enzymes and makes meat harder to digest putting extra stress on the stomach and intestines. To counter this enzyme depletion we need to eat more raw foods and be careful in our choice of cooking methods. Or we may choose enzyme supplements.

Enzymes are essential for all metabolic processes. Enzymes are proteins composed of amino acids however their function is to facilitate biochemical reactions in our cells.  There are an estimated 75,000 different enzymes in the body.

Digestive enzymes have benefits for these health issues

Gas and Bloating

Heartburn/Indigestion

Constipation

Lactose Intolerance

Acid Reflux

Food Allergies/Food Intolerance

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Pancreatic Disorders

Crohn’s Disease

Cardiovascular problems

Hypertension/high blood pressure

Weight Gain

Slow Healing

Inflammation

Fibromyalgia

Fatigue/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/CFS

Arthritis

Asthma/Allergies & Hay Fever

Sinusitis

Tendonitis

Thrombophlebitis

Digestive Enzymes

If you have ever wondered why you feel bloated and constipated after eating the same food several days—it is because you have depleted the enzymes for digesting that type of food. If you have a tendency to over eat during family holidays, enzyme supplements can make up for over eating. 

Although the body produces digestive enzymes, there may not be enough to completely break down cooked or processed foods. The role of digestive enzymes is to break down food-derived fats, carbohydrates, and proteins into smaller substances that our bodies can use. More complete digestion results in fewer digestive problems. 

Digestion initiates when the enzyme amylase is in our saliva begins the break down of carbohydrates through chewing. Chewing food slowly and thoroughly improves digestion.The pancreas produces and secrets the enzymes ptyalin, pepsin, trypsin, lipase, and protease into the gastrointestinal tract. The small intestine itself also creates enzymes.

Systemic Enzymes

Why should we take systemic enzymes? Systemic enzymes have these functions:

·      Break down plaque in the blood veins

·      Break down fibrin that has spider webbed its way inside internal organs reducing their size and function over time

·      Moderates immune function

·      Cleans excess fibrin from the blood and reduces blood cells stickiness (fibrin and sticky blood cells are leading causes of blood clots, stroke, and heart attack)

·      Break down dead materials small enough to immediately pass into the bowel

Clean the receptors on white blood cells to improve their ability to fight off infection

Fibrin is a blood protein that aids in tissue formation. However, fibrin and fibrinogen can become problematic. Fibrins and sticky blood platelets can end up as blood clots and debris in the circulatory system. Systemic enzymes dissolve excess fibrin; remove metabolic waste produced by inflammation, while delivering nutrients and oxygen-rich blood. Therapeutic enzymes have been found to be beneficial in the treatment of various types of inflammation and cleaning the bloodstream of debris.

Enzymes have been used to treat issues caused by excessive or insufficient bacterial growth in the gut and breaking down fats.  Lipase is known to enhance mental capacity. Nattokinase is used for the prevention of inappropriate blood clotting. Serrapeptase has been used for the treatment of conditions like chronic sinusitis and carpal tunnel syndrome. To have a systemic effect, proteolytic enzymes need be taken on an empty taken on an empty stomach. They pass through the stomach or intestine lining and enter the circulatory system where they circulate throughout the body.

Enhance Your Digestion

Sprouted seeds and vegetables are exceptionally high in enzymes.  Pineapple and papayas contain large amounts of the enzymes papain and bromelain. Apples, pears, and citrus fruits are also high in enzymes. Nuts and grains such as barley, wheat and corn contain enzymes, which support metabolic functions. Raw meats contain several kinds of enzymes, including catalase and lipase. Stomach acid is important for digestive enzymes to function properly. Too little stomach acid can impair the action of digestive enzymes.

Raw foods are healthful. However, some individuals may have a weaker digestive function and have trouble assimilating raw or high fiber foods. These individuals would benefit by enzyme supplements. Grains, beans, nuts and seeds are foods that contain enzyme inhibitors.  These enzyme inhibitors can be deactivated by germinating or sprouting, which enlivens the enzymes allowing the food’s nutrients to be more available.

Fibrous foods high in cellulose are difficult to digest when eaten raw. Cooking and fermentation soften and pre-digest cellulose for easier digestion.

Drinking too much liquid with meals dilutes the concentration of hydrochloric acid and enzymes needed for proper digestion. For symptoms of indigestion drinking one teaspoon of raw apple cider vinegar, which is loaded with enzymes, in 2-4 ounces of water with your meals. To get the most out of the foods you eat avoid drinking lots of liquids 20-30 minutes before and after your meals. If you take supplements or any other pills with food, try to use no more than 4-6 ounces of water to swallow them.

http://www.deerland-enzymes.com/about_enzymes

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-therapeutic-enzymes.htm

http://www.enzymestuff.com/

http://www.westonaprice.org/

http://www.livestrong.com/article/550910-what-is-a-fibrin-protein/

http://www.livestrong.com/article/384304-list-of-foods-containing-enzymes/#ixzz2M2rva1Mr

www.zymessence.com/why_systemic_enzymes.html