What are ENZYMES?

How many of us have eaten a heavy meal, processed food or rich dessert only to regret it with a stomach ache, acid reflux or a long nap? We know what we've eaten hasn't settled right in our digestive system, but what really goes on when we eat certain foods? Well every time we ingest food, our bodies need ENZYMES to help with the digestion process. Enzymes are catalysts to every chemical reaction in your body and are found in abundance in nutritious foods (raw organic fruits, vegetables, seeds/nuts) and are non-existent in foods that are processed or cooked (white bread, table sugar, pasteurized dairy, animal meats). When the body has to digest enzyme depleted foods, it has to pull from your lifetime supply of enzymes. If you keep draining your lifetime supply, you will set the stage for the formation of toxins inside the body. The toxins are created when the food we've consumed is not properly digested because a lack of enzymes, so the partially digested material putrefies (if it is a protein), ferments (if it's a carb) or rancifies (if it is a fat) in the large intestine. Poor digestion, along with a lack of fiber contributes to slow bowel transit time (yes, gross I know). When the waste stays in the colon longer than is healthy, the toxins are then absorbed and distributed throughout the entire body via the bloodstream. This is turn, is a perfect breeding ground for harmful bacteria and fungus to grow, while also discouraging the production of beneficial bacteria. The toxic by-products have been linked to various health conditions including: Depression, Anxiety, Cardiac Arrhythmia, Decreased Immunity, Pancreatic Hypertrophy, Sugar Cravings, Headaches and Cancer.

Soooo what do you have to do to prevent this from happening? Well first off, the more nutritious, enzyme-rich foods you include in your diet, the better! Even if you do eat plenty of fruits and veggies, it's still important to also include an ENZYME SUPPLEMENT in your diet to help break down the food and properly digest and absorb the beneficial vitamins, minerals and nutrients. You should especially include an enzyme supplement in your diet if you're eating a lot of animal protein and difficult to digest carbohydrates. A plant-based, broad spectrum product that includes the following enzymes is the best to go with: Protease, Amylase, Lipase, Lactase, Cellulase, Invertase, Maltase and Alpha-Galactosidase. (**Please note: If you suffer from gastritis and/or an ulcer condition, seek a health professional that has experience in enzyme therapy.)

Currently, I take Rainbow Light: Advanced Enzyme System which I purchased at Whole Foods for under $10 for 90 capsules. I've noticed that I've felt more energized, less bloated, and more satisified with eating smaller meals since I've started taking an enzyme supplement. I'm also not craving a chocolaty dessert as often as I used to following my meals! Enzymes are also wonderful for infants and children, especially those who aren't breast-feeding and/or eating nutrient-rich foods. (So basically every child these days!)

Enzymes not only help with digesting food, they also aid in healing the body! Extensive research has found enzymes help with the treatment of Cancer, Inflammation, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lymphedema, Arterial Obstruction, Multiple Sclerosis, Allergies, UTI's, Crohn's Disease, AIDS and Epilepsy, to name just a few health challenges.

So what are you waiting for? Improve the way you look and feel by trying an Enzyme Supplement!

To learn more about the importance of enzymes, checkout the book I suggested earlier: "The Detox Solution: Missing Link to Radiant Health, Abundant Energy, Ideal Weight and Peace of Mind" by Dr. Patricia Fitzgerald.

NAMASTE!
Kaleigh