A Naturopathic Approach to Treating Epstein-Barr Virus

While attending the Reverse / Restore / Renew (R, R&R) training event, I had a live blood analysis that displayed characteristics of infectious mononucleosis (mono) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in my blood. What a surprise!  Phillip R. “Cloudpiler” Landis, ND (naturopathic doctor), explained the symptoms and implications of this virus. I knew that I had contracted “mono” in college 40 years ago but hadn’t given it a thought since then. EBV Syndrome symptoms are the same as and are often misdiagnosed as chronic fatigue syndrome. Current EBV research links the virus to several types of cancer and multiple sclerosis (MS).

After some thought I was able to see the pattern of life stresses that activated the re-occurrence of my mono symptoms. The EBV virus may have actually triggered my breast cancer--I had been told by my physician that I did not display the hormonal or genetic characteristics associated with breast cancer (that were known at that time).

Currently, there are no antivirals for EBV, and antibiotics do not work on viruses—I do not want to take poisonous pharmaceuticals anyway. My mind was in a bit of a panic. I now had even more reason to pay attention to Dr. Landis’ R, R&R training. He told me that he also had a recurrence of EBV and that he had developed a highly effective herbal tonic and protocol.

Mononucleosis (mono) is a common, acute, infectious disease, usually affecting young people, caused by Epstein-Barr virus and [is] characterized by fever, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, and lymphocyte abnormalities and is also called glandular fever. (American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. (2016) Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company)

Typically, people are infected with EBV at some point in their lives. Infection is nearly inescapable. In the US, 95% of all adults will be infected by age 40, and 50% of all children by age 5. It usually causes either no symptoms or a mild illness. During adolescence or early adulthood, the virus can lead to infectious mononucleosis, also known as mono or "the kissing disease." EBV belongs to the category of herpes viruses, which cause cold sores, genital herpes, chickenpox and shingles. Most people never feel sick and don't realize they have been infected. The belief is that once infected you harbor the virus forever. People with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop symptoms if EBV reactivates.

EBV infection symptoms:

•    fatigue

•    fever

•    inflamed throat

•    swollen lymph nodes in the neck

•    enlarged spleen

•    swollen liver

•    rash

Phillip R. “Cloudpiler” Landis, DD, ND, NAP, PDC., is a Naturopathic Doctor and a leader in the restoration of the ancient Nemenhah religion. He began his journey into Natural Medicine with his own battle with chronic illness in his early years, culminating in terminal cancer as a young adult.  It is this battle for survival that led him to obtain a Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine.  For the past twenty years, he has specialized in incurable disease. His experience with sufferers of cancer and AIDS has led him to developed the Nemenhah Reverse, Restore, Renew Program which is a true application of the Sahaptan Healing Way.

Landis’ Reverse / Restore / Renew Program stands for Reverse Disease, Restore Health and Renew the Spirit (R, R, & R).  This program is a practical, daily life implementation of the Nemenhah ITO, Five-fold Mission. The R, R, &R Program has a Five-Pronged Focus:

1.      Internal Terrain Management (methods of real pH Regulation).

2.      Modulation of the Immune System.

3.      Adaptogenic Control of Stress Hormones.

4.      Right Physical Conditioning.

5.      Nemenhah Guided Meditation.

Terrain management--Since most disease is the result of a body and body systems existing in a state of microbial imbalance or maladaptation on or inside the body. This means healthy tissues, blood and proper immune response all rely heavily on a balanced interstitial pH. Dr. Landis' research has documented that when blood pH is managed correctly, most common conditions associated with chronic disease simply resolve.

Dr. Landis’ program presents specific methods that can be used to boost the immune system's overall efficiency and to increase the actual immune cell count. These methods boost the immune system and proactively modulate the immune response (to modulate: is a natural adjustment the immune response to a desired level.) Landis has used these protocols for over twenty years to help individuals fight terminal illness.

The CDC and national medical boards around the world seem to agree that over 65 to 70 percent of chronic illness correlates with the onslaught of stress. Nature is filled with herbal medicines which are effective in combating the constant cortisol (stress hormone) cascade triggered by modern life. Dr. Landis’ program discusses these adaptogenic herbs and how to use them safely and effectively. Adaptogenic herbs are known for their ability increase the body's ability to resist the damaging effects of stress and promote or restore normal body functioning.

Exercise, physical conditioning and fitness play a crucial role in the maintenance of good health. Lymphatic activation, focused deep breathing, and the use of exercise to combat cortisol production all play a role in the restoration of health and the reversal of disease.

The ancient Nemenhah people used prayer, deep muscle relaxation, and trance-like meditation (without the use of psychoactive substances) to explore their own subconscious minds and come to an understanding of their True Self. These practices also help the individual to gain access to the limitless ancestral knowledge that fills all living things. As Nemenhah leader and mentor, Dr. Landis explains how these techniques, and physical/spiritual mechanics of guided meditation have been used for thousands of years to reverse disease.

The Sacred Sahaptan Healing Way is a unified system for bringing desperately ill people back from the brink and to restore them to meaningful, healthful lives. Dr. Landis believes it is “time to bring this healing way to the forefront of the Nemenhah Mission and [to] introduce true health freedom by giving the individual the ability to take control of one’s health, and reverse disease.”

The Reverse / Restore / Renew training event helped me understand that I can take control of my interstitial pH (intercellular fluid) to maintain good health. Research has demonstrated that acidic interstitial fluid creates an environment that causes cell mutation. When the internal terrain (intercellular fluid) pH returns to neutral many cell mutations reverse. Appropriate food choices are essential to maintaining a neutral blood pH environment.

I am currently following the herbal protocol Dr. Landis recommended to eliminate EBV from my body. I am managing my diet to maintain a neutral pH and have seen a real decrease in night time acid reflux. If you are interested in Dr. Landis’ Reverse / Restore / Renew Program, contact information can be found on the Nemenhah website. http://www.uninem.org/events.html

  

http://www.uninem.org/events.html

http://www.cdc.gov/epstein-barr/about-ebv.html

https://www.verywell.com/epstein-barr-virus-715661

http://www.doctoroz.com/article/secret-life-epstein-barr-virus?page=4

Chronic Muscle Pain

Have you ever heard a physician say to you, “I’m looking at the x-rays and the MRI. I don’t see any thing wrong. There is nothing we can do for you except send you to a pain management clinic?” You go to pain management and their solutions are drugs that cloud you mind, destroy your bones and ruin your liver. Or worse yet, they recommend destroying some of your nerves. It is time to become knowledgeable and proactive.

When you experience a deep, aching muscle pain, a tender knotted muscle, a sensation of muscle weakness, tingling, and stiffness, or difficulty sleeping due to muscle pain that persists or worsens over time this is myofascial pain syndrome (MPS). Tight muscle fibers may form in the muscles after injuries or overuse creating sensitive areas called trigger points. The trigger point causes strain and pain throughout the muscle causing other muscles to try to compensate. Over time this pattern of compensation creates further muscle strain creating a cascading chronic pain.

Fascia is a soft connective tissue located just below the skin, which wraps and connects the muscles, bones, nerves and blood vessels of the body. Myofascial release is a massage therapy typically done by sports and rehabilitative massage therapists. MPS most often occurs in people between the ages of 30 and 60 years and affects men and women equally.

Tight muscle fibers occur for various reasons including disuse, not enough stretching, or injuries. The fascia and the underlying muscle tissue can become stuck together creating an adhesion. Adhesions restrict muscle movement, create pain and soreness, reduce flexibility, and may limit range of motion.

Myofascial release is also affective in treating patients with sloppy posture, chronic fatigue, severe tension and anxiety, and repetitive stress injuries. Other factors that increase your risk of muscle trigger points are stress and anxiety. The theory is that these individuals, when stressed, are more likely to clench their muscles, which is a form of repeated strain leaving muscles susceptible to trigger points.

Research suggests that myofascial pain syndrome may develop into fibromyalgia Fibromyalgia, a chronic condition, features widespread pain and is believed to occur when the brain has become more sensitive and reactive to pain signals over time.

Trigger points are highly sensitive areas within the muscle, which are painful to touch and may cause pain that is often felt in another area of the body; this is called referred pain. Active trigger points are always sore and may prevent the full use of the muscle leading to weakness and decreased range of motion. A latent trigger point does not cause pain during normal activities, however, it is tender when touched and may be activated by muscle strain, overwork, fatigue, injury or cold.

Often physical therapy is recommended for MPS, which includes stretching, postural and strengthening exercises. Therapeutic massage therapy can loosen tight muscles and relieve cramping or spasms. It is important to address lifestyle factors, such as poor posture, workplace ergonomics, or mechanical problems, hypothyroidism, vitamin D and magnesium levels, as well as stress that contribute to pain.

Lifestyle factors:

•                Improve your posture

•                Reduce your body weight

•                Exercise regularly

•                Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet

•                Learn stress-management techniques

•                Use proper techniques at work, and during exercise and sports

The normal, healthy state of fascia is a relaxed, supple web, like the weave in a loose-knit sweater. Restricted fascia looses pliability and may create pulls, tensions, and pressure as great as 2,000 pounds per square inch. The fascia system is a continuous running from the bottom of the feet through the top of the head and has three layers. Superficial fascia lies directly below the skin and stores fat and water. Nerves to run through it, and allows muscle to move the skin. Deep fascia surrounds and infuses with muscle, bone, nerves, and blood vessels. The deepest fascia interfaces within the durra of cranial sacral [spinal] system.

Fascia restrictions do not show up on MRI scans or X-rays making diagnosis more difficult. Pain caused by myofascial tightness is due to restrictions within the fascial system, which is the web of connective tissue that spreads throughout the body and surrounds every muscle, bone, nerve blood vessel, and organ to the cellular level. These restrictions can play a significant role in the malfunction of the spinal structure; lymph and blood flow in the extremities and proper organ function.

Self care aims to control pain and keep muscles and joints warm and loose and includes:

• Anti-inflammatory pain relievers (herbs such as white willow bark and boswellia)
• Applying heat to soothe constricted muscles or using ice to calm swollen areas
• Performing self-stretching exercises to maintain flexibility and increase range of motion 
• Aerobic exercise to increase blood flow to the affected areas 

Other treatments include: 

• Chiropractic manipulation,
• Physical therapy, or occupational therapy
• Acupuncture

The rehabilitative massage therapist may use light to moderate traction and twisting strokes to apply the appropriate tension on the soft tissue to achieve a full reflex range of the muscle and to unblock fascia and muscle. The therapist may also use a hands-on, kneading-style strokes that are meant to stretch, loosen, soften and lengthen muscle tissues. The stretch is performed until the muscle is totally relaxed and a release is felt.

Myofascial Release is considered a neuromuscular therapy massage. Because painful muscle spasms occur when our muscles lack adequate blood flow. The lack of blood flow allows lactic acid to accumulates in the muscle. Neuromuscular massage disperses the lactic acid so the deficient muscle can accept a clean supply of oxygen and blood flow. 

Does our height need to shrink as we age? Do we need to have age related scoliosis, curvature of the spine? Many body workers, massage therapists say no. They know from the daily practice of their profession that through massage and myofascial stretching people can regain height. There is a theory that some of the shrinking in spinal discs results from the contraction of the fascia---pressing on the discs not allowing proper hydration.

Massage is absolutely essential to healthy aging. And myofascial massage is essential to anyone with chronic muscle pain.

http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/physical-therapy/myofascial-release-therapy

www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/myofascial-pain

Borg-Stein J. Treatment of fibromyalgia, myofascial pain, and related disorders. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2006 May;17(2):491-510, viii.

Strategies for a Cancer Free Life

Three key steps toward a cancer free life are to reduce body inflammation, support your immune system, and establish a healthy lifestyle.

What is body inflammation? Inflammation is a normal, healthy response to injury or infection.  Inflammation displays as localized heat, redness, swelling, and pain. The inflammation process increases nourishment and immune activity in the area where infection needs to be healed.

However inflammation does have destructive potential. In autoimmune diseases the immune system mistakenly targets the body’s own tissues. Whole-body inflammation is a chronic, low-level inflammation.  Research suggests chronic inflammation sets the foundation for diseases such as heart disease, cancer and neurodegenerative conditions.

Chronic inflammation is influenced by epigenetics and the habits of a sedentary lifestyle, stress, food choices, and exposure to environmental toxins, which includes alcohol and secondhand tobacco smoke. Many people in Western societies live life in a pro-inflammatory state resulting from food choices.

Research has identified several factors that suppress the immune system. Those who become most seriously ill with swine flu displayed a weakened immune system and shared a common characteristic. Their body mass index was over 40, which is considered morbidly obese. Excess weight can cause hormonal imbalances and inflammation impairing the immune system’s ability to fight infection.

Drinking water plays a role in whether or not you get sick. About 25 million Americans drink well water, which contains more than the EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, recommended safe levels of arsenic. Arsenic affects the immnune response and is linked to several different cancers, and the swine flu. Researchers at Dartmouth Medical School found that a group of mice that spent 5 weeks drinking arsenic-tainted water and were given swine flu developed suppressed immune systems and many died. Mice who didn’t drink tainted water got the flu but recovered completely.

According to the American Psychological Association long-term stress weakens the immune system’s ability to respond. Philip Tierno, PhD, director of clinical microbiology and immunology at New York University and author of The Secret Life of Germs, tells us if you become stressed while you have the flu, your symptoms can get worse.

Tierno says the average adult picks up one to three colds each season that typically last 3 or 4 days. If you get more your resistance is low displaying weakened immunity. He recommends getting more sleep, regular exercise, and including lots of healthy veggies and immune boosting foods in your diet.

About 70% of our immune system is located in and around our digestive system. The immune system starts in the mouth. This immune factor known as sIGa await germs or microbes that are not welcome in the body.  When activated this immune factor contacts other immune mediators and attacks the invader or microbe.

Signs of a stressed and inflamed digestive track include stomach bloating, itchy skin, body rashes, mouth ulcers, and white-coated tongue.  Inflammation results from many rounds of antibiotics, limited amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables, excess consumption of saturated fat or fatty foods, smoking, and stress.

An important immune factor, gut flora, lives in the digestive system of the stomach. These healthy bacteria are natural inhabitants of the digestive system. Gut flora helps digest food and maintains the digestive environmental system. There is more gut flora bacteria in the digestive system than cells in the body. Gut flora protects the stomach lining and the rest of the digestive system from opportunistic bacteria such as Candida Albicans.

Inflammation of the intestinal track may create a leaky, permeable gut leading to malnutrition. Approximately 60,000,000 million Americans are experiencing intestinal inflammation resulting in a variety of digestive diseases. To improve the immune system and the integrity of the gut add live probiotics to the diet, and avoid stress, toxic chemicals, processed foods, food additives, sugar, contraceptives, antibiotics, and pain pills.

Digestive inflammation and imbalances in intestinal bacteria are related to arthritis diarrhea, B12 deficiency, chronic fatigue syndrome, cystic acne, breast cancer, eczema, food allergy or sensitivity, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, psoriasis, heartburn, indigestion and constipation, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis.

Gluten intolerance cause inflammation through out the body and mimics migraines, anxiety attacks, brain fog and poor concentrate. Research shows inflammation triggered by food sensitivities contributes to chronic fatigue syndrome, and fibromyalgia. When intestinal balance is restored diminishing inflammation and symptoms may resolve. 

A taxed liver can’t process toxins and fat efficiently contributing to systemic inflammation. Many foods help clean the liver naturally by stimulating its natural ability to cleanse toxic waste from the body. To support liver function add these foods to the diet: spinach, steamed broccoli, hemp oil, wild caught salmon, tart cherries, walnuts, onions and garlic, pineapple, and fermented foods like kefir milk.

To counter chronic inflammation

·      Stop eating refined, processed and manufactured foods.

·      Eliminate omega-6 fatty acids from snack foods and fast foods (excess of omega-6 fatty acids cause the body to synthesize pro inflammatory compounds).

·      Increase intake of balanced amounts of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids (from oily fish-tuna/salmon, walnuts, flax, hemp and to a lesser degree canola oil and sea vegetables)

To support the immune system

·      Drink plenty of water to flush out toxins—you’re drinking the right amount if your urine is pale yellow (coffee and tea are acceptable and the daily amount varies from person to person.)

·      If well water tests high for arsenic switch to bottled water or invest in a remediation system to remove the arsenic.

·      Detoxify liver and colon.

·      Eat two servings of fruit, three servings of vegetables, include probiotics and dietary fiber from healthy foods in your diet

Anti-inflammatory and cleansing foods

1.      Garlic—activates liver enzymes that help your body flush out toxins. Garlic also holds high amounts of allicin and selenium, two natural compounds that aid in liver cleansing

2.      Grapefruit—high in both vitamin C and antioxidants, helps boost production of the liver detoxification enzymes

3.      Beets and Carrots—high in plant-flavonoids and beta-carotene that help stimulate and improve overall liver function.

4.      Green Tea—contains antioxidants known as catechins, which assists liver function.

5.      Leafy Green Vegetables—eaten raw, cooked, or juiced, are high in plant chlorophylls that remove environmental toxins from the blood stream and neutralize heavy metals, chemicals and pesticides.

6.      Avocados—nutrient-dense and helps the body produce glutathione

7.      Apples—contains pectin, which cleanses and release toxins from the digestive tract

8.      Olive Oil—and cold-pressed organic oils such as olive, hemp and flax-seed provide a lipid base that bonds to harmful toxins for easy elimination

9.      Alternative Grains—like quinoa, millet, and buckwheat (avoid wheat and grains that contain gluten)

10.      Cruciferous Vegetables—such as broccoli and cauliflower to increase liver glucosinolate adding enzymes that help flush out carcinogens, and other toxins, and may significantly lower cancer risks

11.      Lemons & Limes—high amounts of vitamin C, which aids the body in synthesizing toxic materials into substances that can be absorbed by water and easily eliminated

12.      Walnuts—contain high amounts of the amino acid arginine, help detoxify ammonia, and are high in glutathione

13.      Cabbage—helps stimulate the activation of two crucial liver detoxifying enzymes that help flush out toxins (Try eating more kimchi, coleslaw, cabbage soup and sauerkraut).

14.      Turmeric—helps boost liver detox by assisting enzymes that actively flush out dietary carcinogens.

Life Style Immunity Boosting Tips

Meditate

Practice Qigong (Chinese mind-body exercise—breath control with slow movement)

Exercise at least five days a week

Get enough sleep

Take care of your toothbrush (change every three months)

Avoid stress and depression

Stop biting your nails, or rubbing your eyes with fingers

Take a 10-minute walk a few times a day

Get your vitamin D levels checked

Reduce your stress level,

Eat primarily omega 3 such as olive oil, fish oil, or canola 

Drink less than two alcoholic drinks a day (alcohol is toxic to the system)

Lose weight

Drink at least 8 glasses of water daily

Take supplemental vitamin C and D3

Take astragalus (herbal supplement to blood cells that fight viruses)

Use herbs and spices particularly oregano and mustard, thyme, and turmeric

Eat mushroom particularly shiitake, reishi, and maitake

Eat more fruit

Eat lean protein at every meal chicken, fish or nuts,

Eat 5 cups of fruits and vegetables a day

Cut back on sweets 

http://www.wikihow.com/Cleanse-the-Liver

http://www.hemorrhoidinformationcenter.com/the-digestive-immune-system-connection/#sthash.Npvn84EK.dpuf

http://www.cancerfightingstrategies.com/#sthash.UtvAXhm9.dpbs

http://www.today.com/id/45022571/ns/today-today_health/t/easy-ways-boost-your-immune-system/#.VMUwESgdU20

http://www.prevention.com/health/health-concerns/7-surprising-signs-your-immunity-needs-boost

www.drweil.com/.../Reducing-Whole-Body-Inflammation.html‬

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