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Many people aren’t aware of the multiple benefits of enzymes that are natural to the human body. Involved in over 10,000 chemical reactions, enzymes are essential for proper digestion and absorption of food and critical for all metabolic processes in the body.

The physician that deserves appropriate credit for popularizing enzyme therapy is Dr. Edward Howell, who coined the term “Enzyme Potential” back in the early 1940’s. This term reflects the potential energy we will have for our lifetime to produce enzymes, both digestive and systemic (metabolic) for our lifetime. If we are unable to produce or do not take enzymes when needed, the human body will perish. He deemed three ways to increase our Enzyme Potential:

1. Eat more raw food (raw foods have not had their enzymes destroyed by heating)
2. Decrease the number of calories we ingest, as this decreases the demand upon our digestive enzyme production
3. Use digestive enzymes (with food) and systemic enzymes (away from food) to prevent depletion enzymes in our bodies.

Each and every biochemical reaction is initiated, accelerated or terminated by enzymes. Without enzymes, our bodies cannot be sustained – they are essential for life. They are not only essential for survival, they are essential for a good quality of life. Raw foods are abundant in enzymes. Processed foods have none and they rob us of our enzyme production. The more processed foods we eat, the less enzymes we are taking in and the more enzymes it requires our bodies to make in order to metabolize them; a double whammy.

Some natural foods and all processed foods contain enzyme inhibitors – they block biochemical reactions. Enzyme inhibitors are added to processed foods to prolong shelf life. Table salt is an enzyme inhibitor. Raw nuts and seeds contain enzyme inhibitors as well as necessary enzymes. To rid enzyme inhibitors, you can soak nuts and seeds overnight and then strain, allowing them to sit in a jar with cheesecloth until they begin to sprout. All of the inhibitors are now inactive and you’ve just activated the natural enzymes in the food.

Listed below are the roles enzymes play in our bodies: They:

• Regulate the body pH at an optimal level
• Deliver nutrients (vitamins and minerals) to each and every cell in the body
• Are required for every single chemical reaction that takes place in the body
• Essential for the digestion of food and prevents the putrification of foods

As you review the list above, you begin to realize that as our enzyme systems deplete with normal aging and stress, symptoms like digestive problems (bloating, constipation, diarrhea, gas), inflammation, cellular breakdown (cancer/autoimmune diseases), osteoporosis, memory loss, fatigue, headaches, recurrent injuries, weight gain, and so on. Many people take enzymes as an aspirin alternative. In Europe, the scientific community urges people to use enzymes preventively. Since enzymes preserve our Enzyme Potential, they can prevent chronic conditions and degeneration.

In addition to chewing food well, there are different types of enzymes you can take:

Digest Well is a whole food formula made from fermented fungus. The microbes of this product produce enzymes on demand rather than taking the individual enzymes. It is gentle and tolerated by most people. It is a complete formula without hydrochloric acid.
Similase is similar to digest well as it is a plant based enzyme that contains:

• Amylase – which breaks down starches
• Protease – which breaks down proteins
• Lipase – which breaks down fat
• Lactase – which breaks down milk sugar
• Phytase – which breaks down protein
• Cellulose – which breaks down fiber
• Sucrose – which breaks down sugars
• Maltase – which breaks down grains

Bioenzymes are a mint flavored chewable enzyme that is well tolerated by children and adults alike. The ingredients include enzymes derived from both plants/fruit and porcine glandular. It is a nice treat after meals as it curbs a sweet tooth as well as assists in digestion.

Panplex 2-Phase is a formula similar to Similase with added hydrochloric acid and ox bile. It is especially useful in patients who have had their gallbladders removed as well as patients who need hydrochloric acid (meat eaters, patients with chronic inflammation). It is useful in the treatment of chronic loose stools yet it can potentially irritate the stomach in those prone to heartburn.

Hypo-Gest is an enzyme formula that is similar to Panplex with added herbs and fruits that contain natural enzymes.

Gastric Complex is similar to Similase yet it has added herbs that coat the stomach and prevents heartburn.

Zenzyme is a natural systemic enzyme formula with ten times the amount of proteolytic enzymes than Wobenzyme at a lower cost. This formula is meant to be taken on an empty stomach so that it does not go towards digesting food, it assists metabolic processes which reduces inflammation to both reduce pain and increase mobility. It is commonly used by athletes for both the prevention of and treatment of injuries. It is a formula to consider using as we age to prevent the typical stiffness and discomfort associated with normal aging and stress.
Aller-Ease is a unique enzyme called diamine oxidase. This enzyme is deficient in some individuals (of which we in the U.S. have a lack of ability to measure – unlike Europe). People who suffer allergies and asthma are most often deficient in this enzyme.