Putting the puzzle of health together would not be complete without the understanding of enzymes. The physical world, on all levels, is in a continual process of consumption. One living structure consumes another for part of its energy source. The consumption of food by animals and humans is just one small example of this. There is a chemical and biochemical interplay among all aspects of life. Elements and compounds are constantly being transmuted (changed) into other compounds or elements. As a rule, the “complex” is

broken down to the “simple.” One example of this would be protein

structures—complex structures that are broken down through digestion (by enzyme action) into amino acids. Amino acids are simple compounds or basic building materials used by the body for growth and repair. In another example, complex-sugars like maltose and sucrose are broken down into a simple sugar, glucose. These processes are all essential for proper utilization.

However, each life form is unique and will utilize these building materials in a variety of ways to suit its uniqueness.

Enzymes are the catalysts of all these chemical and biochemical

processes. No chemical or biochemical process can take place without an enzyme present to initiate this process; whether this process is catabolic (tearing down) or anabolic (building up). An example of catabolic action would be digestion (the process described above), where the structures are broken down into building materials. We also have anabolic building and rebuilding processes going on in our bodies, such as cellular birth and cellular repair.

All body processes including liver function, kidney function, immune and lymphatic response, and the grand communication of the nervous system, depend upon enzymes to function. Enzymes have been called the “workforce” of life. They are the laborers, the builders, the construction workers. They make life happen.

Enzymes are organic catalysts produced by living cells, which act upon what are called “substrates.” They form a temporary bond with these substrates and are then referred to as “enzyme substrate complexes.”

Enzymes are like magnets, promoting the formation or destruction of elements or their substrates to produce the desired product. We need and use thousands of enzymes throughout the body. Metabolism alone requires several thousand enzymes. Enzymes can act like some proteins, which means they can be carriers for nutrients. But they are mainly used as catalysts, required anytime a chemical action or reaction needs to take place. They also

can affect the rate of this action or reaction. In a healthy body, enzymes can be used over and over again. It is important to note that the pH of the body, as well as dehydration (water levels), radiation, toxicity and body temperatures can impair, destroy or stimulate enzyme factors. This can lead to hypo- or hyperactivity of tissues, lack of proper digestion, poor nerve response and breathing issues,

just to name a few conditions.

Enzymes have a consciousness all their own, as each living thing does. Each has a specific job to do and knows it. Some speed things up and others slow things down. It does not matter what the process is; an enzyme must be present.

There are basically two types of enzymes in humans. First, our systemic enzymes, which are responsible for running the machinery (e.g., immune, kidney, bowel, nerve functions). There are hundreds of enzymes used in metabolism (running the body) and cellular growth and repair, including DNA replication. Blood clotting, oxygen exchange and the transport of carbon dioxide, all require enzymes. Cellular respiration (the way cells eat and excrete) is as vital a process for cells, as it is for the body as a whole; both respiration processes need enzyme action.

Second, our digestive enzymes are used to break down the structures we consume into building materials. Cells cannot eat structures; they need building materials. In constructing a house, a builder will often tear down a structure to get whatever materials he can save, and then use those materials to create a new structure. Our body has to do the same thing. It needs to break down the “structures” we eat into the simplest of compounds or elements for building, repairing, or for fuel. Enzymes are needed in this entire process.

Digestive enzymes are called hydrolytic enzymes because they bond

(catalyze) water molecules to larger food particles, to split them into smaller compounds or elements. We have digestive enzymes starting in the mouth, such as amylase and ptyalin, which break down sugars and starches. We also have digestive enzymes in the stomach. These enzymes are called inactive enzymes or pro-enzymes because they must be activated before they can catalyze or affect a change. Pepsinogen is an example of a proenzyme that is

changed into pepsin by the action of HCL (hydrochloric acid). Pepsin is acidic in nature and is designed primarily for initial protein breakdown.

The stomach chyme, enriched with proenzymes (although some are

dormant from the acid action of HCL), is dropped from the stomach into the duodenum (the first part of the small bowel), and alkaline digestive enzymes (such as amylase, lipase, protease, and cellulose) are then released from the pancreas. Amylase breaks down starch, lipase works on fat, protease handles protein, and cellulose digestive enzymes attend to cellulose. The pancreas also produces trypsin and chymotrypsin as well as peptidase, which are a part of the protease family. These are alkaline enzymes that finish protein digestion

or break down peptides and polypeptides into amino acids. It is essential for the pancreas to produce sodium bicarbonate (bicarbonate ions) and for the liver/gallbladder to produce bile, as both of these substances alkalize and sanitize the predigested food particles from the stomach. If the tissues of these organs are congested, weak, or impaired in such a way that these alkalizing principles are restricted or blocked from entry to the small bowel, the duodenum stays overly acidic, and inflammation and ulceration of the duodenum are the result. An over-acidic environment also

destroys or neutralizes the alkaline digestive enzymes of the pancreas, virtually stopping proper digestion. This leads to starvation at the cellular level as other enzymes and parasites become involved, because fermentation and putrefaction now takes over the digestive process.

Studies undertaken at Yale University and other research facilities have shown that enzymes, including digestive enzymes, are produced by many cells in the body (not just the saliva, stomach and pancreas). It has been demonstrated, for example, that white blood cells can supply amylase as well as proteolytic-type enzymes. What an incredibly intelligent machine your body is! I say “machine” with all due respect to the fact that each and every cell is an individual part of God, with its own individuality and consciousness.

We have been talking about endogenous enzymes, those produced in the body. However, we also must consider a second category of enzymes essential to life—the exogenous enzymes that are external to the body, and found in foods. Exogenous enzymes play a vital role in assisting the body in breaking down these foods into use-able building materials.

Food enzymes are vital to the health of the physical body. Without them health begins to decline. Man still does not understand why these food enzymes are so important when we have our own digestive enzymes. But the body must have the support of these food enzymes for the process of digestion and utilization to properly take place. Enzymes are destroyed when subjected to temperatures starting from 110–130 degrees Fahrenheit and above. Lower temperatures can also destroy enzymes if the food is cooked for long periods of time. When we cook our foods, we are destroying the life-giving properties within them, including the enzymes. Remember: no other animal on this planet cooks its food before

eating it. If we feed animals cooked foods they become sick and die, and veterinarians will tell you to never feed your animals from the table because they will get the same diseases we do.

SUPPLEMENTING WITH DIGESTIVE ENZYMES?

The sale of digestive enzyme supplements is big business these days, and there are companies that support their use by advocating live blood-cell analysis and other diagnostic tools. We all have digestive weaknesses to some extent, and especially if the pancreas is weak. If you are thin and can’t put on weight; or you have diabetes or hypoglycemia; or you see undigested foods in your stools (except corn); then you should consult with your healthcare

practitioner about regenerating your pancreas.

Relying on supplemented digestive enzymes on a regular basis can

eventually shut down your pancreas. Nonetheless, in some extreme or chronic conditions, it may be advisable to take digestive enzymes with every other meal or every third or fourth meal. Only take them for short periods of time, until you can restore normal pancreatic and intestinal function.

Definitely stop taking them when you eat raw, uncooked foods. Wean yourself from them until you are only using them with cooked, hard-to-digest foods. Then stop entirely. If you are eating all cooked, acidic foods, you may need to add occasional digestive enzymes, since cooking your food destroys its enzymes and puts the total burden of digestion upon your body. Consuming your foods juiced and/or eating them raw will help tremendously in revitalizing your pancreas and yourself. It is beyond the scope of this book to explore further on the subject of enzymes as biocatalysts. However, it is enough to reiterate that life begets life and death begets death. Without enzymes we have death.

Enjoy the natural flavors of fresh, whole, ripe and raw foods. God has given us a smorgasbord of foods and the ability to obtain them. Seek out organic, fresh and raw, enzyme-rich foods, as enzymes are the keys to life.

No matter from which angle we view health and disease, we cannot

escape from being entangled in the conclusion that intractable disease is as old as cookery. Disease and cookery originated simultaneously.