The Power Of Enzymes

Enzymes are the sparks that start the essential chemical reactions our bodies need to live. They are necessary for digesting food, for stimulating the brain, for providing cellular energy, and for repairing all tissues, organs, and cells. One way to help maintain digestive health is to be sure you get enough food and digestive enzymes. Enzymes are an important part of the living well equation.

There are three types of enzymes: metabolic enzymes, food enzymes, and digestive enzymes. Metabolic enzymes catalyze, or spark, the reactions within the cells. The body's organs, tissues, and cells are run by metabolic enzymes. Without them, our bodies would not work. Among their chores are helping to turn phosphorus into bone, attaching iron to our red blood cells, healing wounds, and seeing that our hearts beat.

Food enzymes are enzymes supplied to us through the foods we eat. They include digestive enzymes, but also enzymes unique to the particular foods. Food enzymes help us "predigest" foods; that is, start breaking down foods before our bodies' enzymes begin to do so. According to Humbart Santillo, B.S., M.H., the enzymes found in raw foods digest 5 to 75 percent of the foods themselves without the help of other enzymes. This way, our bodies' digestive enzymes have help in the digestive process, and we do not use as many of the body's "in-house" enzymes.

Digestive enzymes are secreted by the pancreas and break down foods, allowing their nutrients to be absorbed into the bloodstream and used in body functions. They ensure that we get the greatest possible nutritional value from foods. Digestive enzymes include protease, which digests protein; amylase, which digests carbohydrates; lipase, which digests fats and oils; and maltase, which digests malt sugars and grains.