Digestive Enzymes and Their ImportanceMarijke Vogel, MCIA, MIFA, MGNI
We have 3 classes of enzymes;
*metabolic enzymes (they run the body),
*digestive enzymes (they digest our foods)
*the enzymes we get from raw food (they start food digestion)
Good health depends on all these different classes of enzymes working properly and being in good supply. When we are born we are given an enzyme bank. If we keep taking enzymes out and do not replace them we are soon bankrupt. The pancreas is eventually forced to produce more and more enzymes and therefore enlarges and silently causes stress to the entire system. It is not healthy to have any organ in our body enlarged and eventually these enlarged organs will deteriorate completely.
The main factor that destroys our natural enzymes is the food that we eat, that is if we eat mainly cooked foods laden with sugar, fat and additives. Lack of enzymes causes many different problems.
The activity of our enzymes is influenced by the acid/alkaline media of our juices. A faulty acid /alkaline balance can be present for some time before we notice any discomfort or disease. The wrong stomach chemistry is responsible for putrefaction of the system. This allows undigested foods to putrefy (rot) in the colon causing a host of problems (physical as well as mental), including tiredness skin eruptions.
Our saliva is alkaline, our stomach is an acid, the small intestines are alkaline, and the large intestine is acid.
Enzyme production starts in the mouth where through chewing, we produce salivary enzyme Ptyalin. This is where digestion of protein, carbohydrates and fat begins.
The masticated food mixed with Ptyalin enters the food enzyme section of stomach where hydrochloric acid (HCL) is secreted. Here it rests for about 1/2 to 1 hour, until the rising tide of acidity reaches a point where it is inhibited. The stomach enzyme pepsin then starts to impregnate and transform the bulk of food into a 'chyme', ( a heavy cream like substance formed after the food has been processed in the stomach).
The production of HCL declines with age, and is also reduced during pregnancy. Symptoms of a lack of HCL include
* a feeling of fullness several hours after eating
* gas in the lower digestive system
* constipation alternated with diarrhoea
* loss of taste for meat
* low tolerance for protein food
* anaemia can be aggravated by a deficiency
* reduced calcium and iron uptake
* bacteria and parasites are able to enter the system more easily
The food rests for a short time in the stomach. If the food entering the stomach is cooked, there are no enzymes present and it just waits there and nothing much happens. If, during the eating process, harmful bacteria as well as parasites were swallowed, they may attack the stomach during this time of enforced idleness. When this type of food is continually eaten it will accelerate ageing and other degenerate processes in the body. Unless you are prepared to eat more raw foods you must consider taking digestive enzymes at this point. Taken and chewed with your meal they begin immediate digestion of all nutrients and they can provide repair and bring about cures from years of neglect. When taken for short periods your own natural enzyme production process will kick-start again and will be able to carry on. You would need to try to use supplements for up to 3 months to begin with.
From the stomach the acidic chyme moves via the pyloric sphincter (repeatedly opens and closes to allow chyme to enter the small intestine slowly) through to the first part of the small intestines, the duodenum where it must be immediately neutralised.
This is achieved by the secretion of bicarbonate by the duodenum's epithelial lining as well as secretions from the liver and pancreas. If the acid chyme is not neutralised the chances of duodenal ulcers increases. Two hormones are released by the duodenum due to the presence of the chyme, they are circulated through the blood and when they have reached the pancreas, liver and gallbladder they release the necessary enzymes, alkaline bile and pancreatic juices, which allow for a quick mix of chyme and enzymes making the contents alkaline.
The jejunum and the ileum complete the small intestine. This is an alkaline medium where absorption and digestion begins and digestion is effectively completed. From here the digested food is removed by absorption into the bloodstream and into the lymphatic circulation. From the Ileum the remaining chyme enters the large intestine, where it is transformed in several ways and ultimately forms faeces in the second part of the large colon, which are than eliminated from the body.
Bacterial changes acidify the contents of the colon.
The most potent digestive enzymes secreted by the body are:
Amylase and Protease Saliva provides a high portion of amylase while the stomach juice contains protease.
Pancreatic Enzymes. The pancreas manufactures 3 types of enzymes and secretes them according to what has been eaten. The pancreatic juices contain amylase and protease in high concentration as well as lipase, which is present in a lower concentration. This enzyme deals mainly with fat. Amylase digests carbohydrates. Protease digests protein. The enzyme maltase is secreted in a low concentration by the pancreas and reduces maltose to mono-saccharides.
Further along the GI tract intestinal enzymes continue their work on the partially digested foods. Uncooked foods carry an abundance of food enzymes.
All cooking destroys natural enzymes.
We waste so much of our natural enzymes on cooked food, forcing our bodies to produce large amounts, which in turn enlarges and harms our digestive organs especially the pancreas.
Poor food combining contributes to the problem.
Enzyme destruction takes place at 116 F.
Pasteurisation destroys the life force of enzymes. All processed foods are exposed to heat and are dead, lacking in minerals vitamins and enzymes.
Many nutritional authorities recommend that the diet should be 50-100% raw. 70 % would be ideal.
When changing try to introduce raw foods gradually, not drastically for best results.
Investing in a juicer would be very good for your future health. Taking appropriate digestive enzyme supplements will get things started in the short term.
Good digestion prolongs life.
© Copyright Wholistic Research 2002
Dr Edward Howell Enzyme Nutrition, Avery 1985
Marijke Vogel, The earth on which we live
Vogel & Vogel 2001
William Dufty Sugar Blues, Chilton 1975