Enzymes
and You |
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| What
are enzymes? ——————————————————————— |
| Enzymes
are the spark of life. Without them, life would not exist.
They are the workers that make your body function. Although
the action of enzymes cannot be seen, it is the driving
force behind virtually every biochemical process that
occurs in the body. There are hundreds of thousands of
enzymes active in every organ, tissue, and fluid, and
each has its own function. Enzymes activate our muscles,
stimulate our nerves, make our hearts beat, keep us breathing,
and even help us think. These complex biochemical substances
are also able to convert nutrients from food to strong,
healthy bodies. |
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| There
are three distinct types of enzymes: |
- Food
enzymes which are contained in all raw food.
-
Digestive enzymes which are secreted by the body to
digest food.
-
Metabolic enzymes which run other biochemical processes.
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| What
do enzymes do? —————————————————————— |
| Plant
enzymes bring the plant to maturity or ripeness. If the
conditions are right, they will “digest” the
plant when properly activated. The enzymes are released
by either chewing or cutting the plant. All enzymes require
the following in order to work: the presence of water,
the proper temperature, the correct pH range (acid vs.
alkaline), and something to digest.
The
body is provided with enzymes every time raw food is
eaten because all raw food contains just the right amount
and type of enzymes to digest itself. Nature put enzymes
in raw food to aid in the digestive process so the body’s
enzymes would not have to do all the work.
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| What
are the different types of food enzymes? ————————— |
| There
are four main types of food enzymes: |
-
Proteases break down protein (meat, beans, etc.).
-
Amylases break down carbohydrates (potatoes, pasta,
cookies, etc.).
-
Lipases break down fats (olives, avocados, etc.).
-
Cellulases break down fiber (celery, carrots, etc.).
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| Three
amylases are essential to the digestion of carbohydrates:
|
-
Lactase breaks down lactose (milk sugar).
-
Sucrase breaks down sucrose (refined sugar).
-
Maltase breaks down maltose (malt sugar).
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| I
eat a balanced diet, so why would I need enzymes? —————— |
| If
you eat food that is steamed, boiled, roasted, broiled,
fried, stewed, canned, pasteurized, or even microwaved,
you need food enzymes. Enzymes are the most heat sensitive
nutrients found in food. When food enzymes are missing,
the body is forced to produce all the enzymes necessary
for digestion. This puts unwarranted stress on the organs
of digestion which must rob enzymes from your immune system
to digest your food. |
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| How
can I avoid an enzyme deficiency? ————————————— |
| Digesting
food is one of the most energy-consuming tasks performed
by the human body on a regular basis. When foods deficient
in enzymes are eaten, the body uses a considerable amount
of energy making enzymes for digestion. This often explains
why we feel tired after eating. To avoid enzyme deficiencies,
eat as many raw fruits and vegetables as possible. We
live in a modern age where food needs to be convenient
and nutritious, so taking plant enzymes with each meal
will help digest your food, lessen the work of your digestive
system, and reduce stress on the digestive organs. |
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| What
are the symptoms of enzyme deficiency? ————————— |
| Consumers
spend over 80 billion dollars each year to relieve heartburn,
excess acid, bloating and other symptoms of indigestion.
Fatigue, diarrhea/constipation, gas, headaches, colon
problems, hardening of the arteries, and high cholesterol
are just a few of the conditions that stem from a shortage
of enzymes. All of these symptoms can be attributed to
poor digestion. If allowed to progress, chronic degenerative
diseases may become evident in later years. If you are
showing any signs of these symptoms, it is possible that
you already are enzyme deficient. |
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| What
do I do if I experience symptoms? ————————————— |
| A
palpatory exam and a 24-hour urinalysis will indicate
how well your body digests and uses food nutrients. The
results of a 24-hour urinalysis combined with a palpatory
exam will clearly indicate what enzyme supplements will
help to return the body to health. Because no two people
are alike, there are different enzyme formulations for
different people. Your health care practitioner will recommend
the correct enzyme supplements for you based on information
from the physical exam and urinalysis and also recommend
a diet modification program to reduce the likelihood of
redeveloping an enzyme deficiency. This program has helped
thousands return to a state of health and it can do the
same for you. |
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| How
long will I have to take food enzyme supplements? ————— |
| The
length of time it takes to correct imbalances in body
chemistry will depend upon how long the imbalances have
existed and how well you follow the health care practitioner’s
dietary recommendations. Most people begin to notice a
positive difference within a relatively short period of
time, some even at their very next meal. However, healthful
balance is only regained when the major stressor has been
removed.
After
body chemistry is restored to normal, a multiple enzyme
supplement should continue to be taken to help maintain
sufficient enzyme levels. Diet modification is strongly
suggested as a means of taking care of the body and
therefore preventing disease.
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| Are
all enzyme supplements the same? ————————————— |
| Food
enzymes can digest protein, fat, carbohydrates, and fiber.
They are pH balanced to work throughout the entire digestive
tract. Supplements of pepsin, trypsin, bromelain, and
papain can only digest proteins, and pancreatic enzyme
supplements can only break down three of the four food
groups.
Only
supplements with the pHBS® symbol are recommended.
The pH Balancing System (pHBS®)
is your guarantee that the supplement you take will
work in the proper pH and deliver the herbal nutrient,
whether you can digest them or not.
Food
supplements with the pHBS®
symbol are your only guarantee that the food supplements
are formulated by Dr. Howard F. Loomis, the world’s
foremost authority on enzymes, and that the formulations
are perfectly pH balanced for nutrient bioavailability.
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©
1999-2004 by Loomis Institute™ |
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