Digestive Enzymes

Proteins Found in Raw Uncooked Foods and Supplements Aid Digestion

© Victoria Anisman-Reiner

Papaya is high in bromelain, a digestive enzyme, rosevita on morguefile

Even if you have a healthy diet, you may need more enzymes to absorb and use food's total nutrition. Enzymes also help those with diabetes, allergies or chronic pain.

Digestive enzymes are one of the best natural secrets to complete nutrition – naturally occurring chemicals that are vitally important for digestion of proteins, fats, carbs, and toxins in your diet. Digestive enzymes are some of the most popular nutritional supplements, and may be helpful for diabetics, allergy sufferers, and those looking for a natural and healthy way to improve their metabolism or lose weight. Enzymes are also an important aspect of the raw food movement.

What is an Enzyme?

Enzymes are proteins that catalyze chemical reactions – that is, they make reactions happen, or make them easier and faster than they would have been without an enzyme.

Enzymes are the key that makes the digestive process happen. Without enzymes, our bodies would not be able to break down food to make use of the nutrition in the food we eat.

Enzymes and Digestion

Enzymes are found in most living material, including food, and especially raw fruits, vegetables, and plants. But enzyme structures change shape at high temperatures, so most cooked foods have very little or no active, functional enzymes.

Flesh proteins, particularly red meat, are difficult to digest without a digestive enzyme supplement or plenty of raw, live food eaten as a salad or at the same meal.

Digestive system problems from gas to heartburn and acid reflux are often due to a shortage of the right enzymes. After a lifetime (or less) of eating cooked and processed foods, the body becomes what many health practitioners consider "bankrupt" in enzymes – making an enzyme supplement an absolute necessity.

Food Sources of Digestive Enzymes

There's a reason raw food diets are so popular – it's because a diet rich in raw, living foods and enzymes is amazing for energy levels, stamina, weight loss, beautiful skin, and good health!

Some of the best dietary sources of enzymes are:

It's best to eat foods high in raw enzymes at the beginning of a meal, or before enjoying heavier cooked foods.

Enzymes for Special Needs: Diabetes, Allergies, Pain Relief

Enzymes are one of the key components in some alternative treatments for diabetes, allergies, and pain relief.

Enzymes and Weight Loss

Enzymes have also been found to be a helpful part of weight loss programs. In tandem with exercise and good nutrition, they help remove wastes in the diet and those stored in the body, break down fat cells, and speed healthy weight loss. Enzymes are part of most cleanses and cleansing protocols.


The copyright of the article Digestive Enzymes in Holistic Nutrition is owned by Victoria Anisman-Reiner. Permission to republish Digestive Enzymes must be granted by the author in writing.


Papaya is high in bromelain, a digestive enzyme, rosevita on morguefile
       


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