Saturday, April 14, 2012

The Importance of Enzymes


 
I cannot overstate the importance of enzymes to the digestion process.  Simply put, enzymes make stuff happen in the body- basically they keep you alive!  They are proteins that enhance and accelerate chemical reactions in the body.  Since there are many different reactions there are many different enzymes.  The human body has more than 55,000 different enzymes!  With respect to digestion there are two types that are significant.  There are enzymes that are found naturally in real food (food enzymes) and there are enzymes that our body makes to help break down the food we eat (digestive enzymes).

All real food of plant and animal origin contains enzymes.  Each raw, uncooked fruit, vegetable, or meat contains enzymes that will digest the food in which they are contained.  For example, what we commonly consider as “bruising” on fruits is actually enzymes in action eating up the fruit.  There is one small problem with food enzymes.  They are easily destroyed by cooking and processing - generally at temperatures above 115°.  Since most of the food we eat is cooked or processed that means we have become dependent upon our body to produce sufficient enzymes to digest our food.

While in general we should have sufficient enzymes, there are times we may not.  For example, lactose (milk sugar) intolerance is widespread throughout the population.  This is because not all humans make or have sufficient amounts of the enzyme lactase required for digesting lactose. Or sometimes we just plain over-eat and our body is not able to produce all the enzymes required within the time allotted.

The main enzymes made by the body are proteases, amylases, disaccharidases, and lipases.  Another important enzyme is cellulase which the human body does not manufacture.  As you’ll notice, all enzymes end with “ase.”  

Proteases digest proteins.  They begin their work in the stomach.  A protease deficiency can lead to a compromised immune system, fluid retention, constipation, excessive alkaline reserves, and calcium metabolism problems.  As I have written previously, one of the dangers of soy protein is that it actually contains protease inhibitors.  So, while it is sold and marketed as a protein, which it technically is, the body struggles to digest and utilize it due to the fact it cannot be digested.  (Note that fermented soy products such as tempeh and miso are digestible because the protease inhibitor has been broken down by the fermentation process.)  Soy mixed with other proteins will also inhibit their digestion.  When we discuss the stomach there will be additional information relating to the consequences of insufficient protein digestion.

Amylases digest carbohydrates (starches and sugars) and break them down into disaccharides (sucrose, lactose, and maltose).  The disaccharidases further digest these sugars into their simple components called monosaccharides (glucose and fructose).  Carbohydrate digestion begins in the mouth and then resumes in the small intestines.  Excessive consumption of carbohydrates (sugars) can produce a deficiency of disaccharidases.  Some examples of amylase and disaccharidases deficiency include: lactose intolerance causing diarrhea; maltose and sucrose intolerance causing diarrhea and/or constipation; general sugar intolerance leading to asthma and sleep issues.  In addition a variety of mental and emotional imbalances such as depression, mood swings, aggressive behavior, panic attacks, and hyperactivity have been linked with deficiencies of these enzymes.  Of course in reviewing this list one must discern whether it is the actual lack of the enzyme (such as with lactose intolerance) or the overconsumption of carbohydrates/sugars with a resulting supply shortage of enzymes.  Sugar and fructose block Vitamin B metabolism and lack of Vitamin B is also related to the above described mental and emotional issues.

Lipases break down fats.  Fat digestion occurs in the small intestine after the gall bladder secretes bile into the small intestines.  High cholesterol, high triglycerides, high blood pressure, difficulty losing weight, varicose veins, and diabetes may be signs of lipase deficiency.

Cellulase digests soluble fiber such as cellulose found in vegetables.  Ever notice how some raw vegetables may give you gas?  While the raw vegetables do contain some cellulase, it may not be sufficient for your body to digest them.  

Digestive enzymes are available as supplements and I encourage my clients to utilize them for three reasons:  1. Since enzymes are so critical to digestion; 2. Most of the food we eat is cooked and processed; and 3. Most people eat too much and out of balance.  I like to call them “life savers” or insurance for your digestive system.

Bernard Rosen, PhD is a Nutrition Consultant and Educator. He works with individuals, groups, and at corporations to create individualized nutrition and wellness programs. He has offices in Thiensville and Glendale, WI. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, e-mail at bernie@brwellness.com, call (262) 389-9907 or go to www.brwellness.com.


Sunday, April 1, 2012

April 2012 Newsletter: Spring Break for Your Body


You’ve heard me talk about it many times in the past.  You’ve heard me say I am about to do it and invite you to join me.  Yes, it is that time of the year again: Spring - the perfect time for the Purification Program.  This time of the year also means Spring Break.  What exactly are we breaking from?  For many it is a time of partying – probably the exact opposite of a “break” for the body.  Perhaps this year you should consider a real Spring Break for your body.  Give it a break from processing the everyday load of toxins and treat it to three weeks of healthy eating and living.  We’ll all be doing spring cleaning of the house, spring cleaning of the yard; so why not add the all important Spring Cleaning of the body.  For more information about the Purification Program follow this link http://www.brwellness.com/docs/Purification_Program_Client_Guide_from_SP.pdf  or better yet, give me a call and get started on it!

Do You Have a Wheat Belly?
I’m sure many of you have heard of the recently published book called “Wheat Belly.”  I have recently finished reading the book and highly recommend it.  For those of you who follow my articles and blogs you’ll be familiar with much of the information.  So, what makes this book special?  It is written by a Milwaukee cardiologist who found himself obese and diabetic from following his own advice.  He figured out something was not quite right then fixed himself and subsequently many of his patients by eliminating wheat from the diet.  There are a couple of areas where I disagree with him – specifically he is okay with Splenda and soy, but overall he is on the right track.  For more information you can go to his blog at http://www.wheatbellyblog.com/.

Bernie’s Doing Ashtanga Yoga?
Yes, that’s right.  This past week I had the pleasure of hosting David Keil, an anatomy guru and Ashtanga yogi, who was in town for our Yoga Teacher Training program.  As an additional offering we had a week of Mysore style Ashtanga Yoga.  I had never done the practice before and I loved it!  Quite frankly I’d become very lazy with my own yoga practice.  I am now re-energized and notice how much better I feel after only eight days of the practice.  I can only imagine how good I’ll feel in another month!  Thanks David.  If you’re looking for a better understanding of yoga and anatomy, check out David’s web site at http://www.yoganatomy.com/.   He has some excellent articles and masterful DVDs.  To learn more about Ashtanga Yoga visit http://www.ashtanga.com/.  And, I’m sure you can find all kinds of information on YouTube.