The Relationship between Enzymes, Health and Longevity
Enzymes, by definition, are catalysts-substances that cause a chemical reaction to move faster. Enzymes are present throughout our body, digesting our foods and sparking the chemical reactions which are required to sustain life. We produce enzymes in our varied body systems, and we can take them in from food sources or as supplements.
Our body produces thousands of enzymes, each with a unique and very specific role. We find protease, amylase, and lipase in our digestive system, enzymes which break down the proteins, sugars, and fats in the foods we eat. We also find varieties of these enzymes in our organs and glands, traveling through our bloodstream serving as catalysts to our metabolism, immune system, and cardiovascular activity.
Most Americans are familiar with the benefit of digestive enzymes, taking a capsule or two with meals to alleviate digestive discomfort. Gaining popularity recently are therapeutic enzymes, which go beyond digestion, working in the bloodstream to support metabolic reactions like healthy cellular repair and immunity.
While we may be born with an optimal potential for enzyme production, our varied lifestyles and environments take a toll on our internal enzyme producing systems. For example, consuming processed food taxes our pancreas, gastrointestinal tract, and stomach by requiring additional enzyme production. Toxins and pollutants in our environment tax our liver and organs of elimination, increasing our need for metabolic enzymes, many of which serve as antioxidants. As our organs and glands react by going into overdrive, our body must work harder. We burn more energy and potentially suffer reduced immune response, decreased vitality, and shorter lifespan.
While good health and long life have often been attributed to genetics, research proposes that beyond ‘good genes’ there are many other factors which determine our lifespan. These include lifestyle, physical activity, exposure to toxins, and food consumption. Considering the relationship between enzymes, digestion, and metabolism, we can see how these additional factors shape our lifespan.
A proponent of raw foods which contain natural food enzymes, Dr. Edward Howell, author of Enzyme Nutrition wrote, “Life ends when the worn-out metabolic enzyme activity of the body drops to such a low point that it is unable to carry on vital enzyme reactions. This is the true trademark of old age.”
Tom Bohager, founder and CEO of Enzymedica, and author of Everything You Need to Know about Enzymes and Enzymes: What the Experts Know, states that the enzymes found in raw foods, combined with fasting, and calorie restriction can preserve our enzyme potential, giving us greater health and optimal wellness throughout life. Bohager also endorses the use of enzyme supplements as a safe and natural solution to maintain optimal health and longevity.
Writes Bohager, “According to the 2000 census, more than 54,000 Americans are 100 years or older. We recognize that there is a potential within the human race to live a long and healthful life. Much of that potential can be unlocked through the relationship between healthy digestion, metabolism, physical energy, and immune response.”
According to Bohager, when less enzyme potential is spent on digestion, more is available for wellness. By reducing the toll digestion takes on our internal enzyme systems, we enable our immune system to function optimally. Our innate ability to repair and regenerate our body is optimized and we experience protection against oxidation along with greater health and vitality.
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