Nutrition - Enzymes

NUTRITIONAL NEEDS OF THE BODY
"Each day, normal cell functioning must be maintained, damaged cells need to be repaired,
and new cells are generated. These things cannot occur without proper nutrients."

THE SCIENCE OF NUTRITION

ENZYMES

During every second of life, more than 3000 different enzymes are in the process of forming, changing, and renewing all cellular activity that is necessary to keep the body alive. Everyone is born with an enzyme potential determined by the nucleic acid, DNA. The DNA genetic code determines the body’s ability to produce an infinite amount of metabolic and digestive enzymes during a lifetime. No two individuals, whether 6 or 60 years old, have the same enzyme potential.

Right now, just as you are reading this paragraph, millions of body cells have died, been destroyed and carried away, and millions of new cells have been produced as replacements. When enzyme activity stops, life stops and the person or organism dies. The body contains 100 trillion cells and countless millions of tiny enzyme building blocks, which continually renew and maintain life. Without enzymes, birth could not happen. Not a single person, plant or animal could exist. Enzymes are the fountain of life, the life energy and the labor force that keeps us alive. Enzymes deliver nutrients, carry away toxic wastes, digest food, purify the blood, deliver hormones, balance cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and feed the brain. They also feed and fortify the endocrine system. A lack of enzymes could allow illness and lower resistance to diseases.

Enzymes are an energy catalyst and every action of organs and glands needs energy to work. We receive energy from food nutrients, along with enzyme activity, to feed the 100 trillion cells in our body. These nutrients are available through the digestion of our food and are carried throughout our system by the energy of enzymes. We must follow a balanced diet containing a substantial amount of fresh foods and vegetables in each meal.

Enzyme deficiencies can include digestive disturbance, deposition of fat, and excess weight. Further health problems include disorders of the circulation leading to cardiovascular diseases and disorders of the heart. Without enzymes, no metabolic activity can occur. If the body cannot metabolize the nutrients derived from food, the body becomes susceptible to chronic and degenerative diseases. These enzymes can only come from foods containing enzymes or food enzyme supplements. There are three main classes of enzymes:

Metabolic Enzymes

Metabolic enzymes are required for the growth of new cells and maintenance of all our organs and tissues. They take proteins, fats, and carbohydrates (starches, sugars, etc.), and structure them into healthy cells - keeping everything in proper working balance. Every organ and tissue has its own particular metabolic enzyme to do specific work.

Digestive Enzymes

Digestive enzymes, which are produced internally, and food enzymes, which are provided externally, have only one job -- to digest food and deliver nutrients to our bodies. Digestive proteins, carbohydrates, and fats require protease (enzymes that digest protein), amylase (enzymes that digest carbohydrates) and lipase (enzymes that digest fat). If our organs must devote a large portion of their enzymes potential to manufacture digestive enzymes, it spells trouble for the whole body. A strain on production of metabolic enzymes results when there is not enough enzyme potential available.

Food Enzymes

Food enzymes come from external food intake or supplemental sources. To ease the conflict between metabolic and digestive enzymes, support is obtained from external food enzymes. These food enzymes help with digestion instead of forcing the body's digestive enzymes to do all the work. When food enzymes are available to support digestion, the requirement for the body to manufacture digestive enzymes is reduced, and more of our enzyme potential is allocated to the production of metabolic enzymes, which run the body.

CO-ENZYMES

            Co-enzymes are small organic molecules, which are essential for the activity of enzymes. They bind tightly to the surface of enzyme so that they can be efficiently used in enzyme catalyzed reactions. Many co-enzymes cannot be synthesized by the body and must be obtained from plants or microorganisms in the diet. Vitamins are often the precursors of required co-enzymes.