Did you know that all chemical reactions that take place within the human body require enzymes? There are two classes of enzymes digestive and metabolic. Today we will concentrate on digestive enzymes. Digestive enzymes are catalysts that help to breakdown our food. Each type of food has its own enzyme to digest it. The digestive glands manufacture the needed enzymes.
Some scientists now believe that we are born with a limited number of enzymes. Once we use them up we die. Fortunately fresh raw fruits and vegetables are loaded with enzymes. These enzymes help our bodies digest our food. Thus our bodies don't have to use up our limited store of enzymes. When eating and digesting a steak for example the body must contribute enzymes to the digestive process. This consumes some of the finite enzyme supply.
Canning Supplies
Unfortunately, when you don't replenish your body with naturally occurring enzymes found in raw foods you age more rapidly. This theory might be why animals on restricted calorie diets live longer and are more youthful. They have not squandered their limited supply of enzymes on digestion.
Since enzyme levels decline as we age, we must eat as many raw and living foods as possible. Cooking, baking, frying and excessive heat destroys enzymes. Lightly cook or steam your food to retain as many enzymes as possible.
Many foods are high in enzymes. Raw pineapple contains bromelain a protein-digesting enzyme. Papaya contains papain another proteolytic enzyme. Bananas, cabbage, mangos, sprouts and avocados are just a few high enzyme foods. Eat these foods raw since enzymes are destroyed by cooking or canning.
Our busy lifestyle has contributed to the trend of using easy to prepare, packaged, canned and frozen foods at the expense of raw fruits and vegetables. Foods that are designed to last on the store shelves without refrigeration are loaded with preservatives and of course lack vital enzymes. Heat, high temperatures and pasteurization used to preserve foods kills the enzymes. Avoid these foods as much as possible.
Invest in a juicer and juice raw fruits and vegetables. Many health food stores now sell super green foods. These are almost as good as the real food.
Instead of eating over processed junk food opt for a food that is as close to raw as possible. Given the choice of an apple or applesauce choose the apple. Start with eating a meal that is 50% raw. A large salad with your meal will go a long way toward the fifty percent. Gradually increase the percentage of organic raw, living foods at each meal. Challenge yourself to eat as many meals of only raw foods as possible. This is one of the most healthy diet plans you could envision.
