Enzymes? The Raw Vegan Booster

I don’t know about your mom but mine was always harping on me to eat my fruits and vegetables. Naturally, she didn’t have a clue about enzymes, but she was, definitely, on the right track. Adopting a diet that’s high in raw vegan foods supports digestive enzyme activity better than any other. Basically, it’s one of the great raw vegan claims to fame. And, undeniably, enzymes are necessary. We need them in the same way that Frankenstein’s monster needed that electrical charge. They give us life.

Enzymes are micro-proteins, largely composed of amino acids. They trigger  all chemical reactions that go on in our bodies. From digestion , metabolism, detoxification, brain function, repair of tissues and organs  to every process in between, enzymes control the speed at which it all works. As living beings we depend on the courtesy of a series of enzyme reactions that allow us to think and move and do all the things we humans do. Take away the enzymes and we couldn’t function at all.

As of this date, scientists have identified over a whopping 3000 varieties of enzymes – and many more are yet to be discovered. In fact, some experts claim that there are approximately 50000-70000 enzymes in various parts of our bodies. In principle, each organ operates through its own series of enzymes that serve unique functions.

What Kinds of Enzymes Are There?

Digestive Enzymes are normally found in the mouth or the gut; basically, they are involved in digestion of food. They essentially help break down food into nutrients and eliminate by-products. These enzymes are predominantly extracellular, implying that are found and function outside of cells. Examples of digestive enzymes include amylase which breaks down carbohydrates; protease that digest proteins; lipase that acts on fats; and cellulose that act upon fiber.

Metabolic Enzymes metabolize nutrients/sugars to produce energy. Besides, they are involved in the removal of metabolic waste. Metabolic enzymes are predominantly intracellular, implying that they are found and function inside cells.

Plant-Based Enzymes are important catalysts found in unprocessed raw plant foods as well as raw milk. Exceptions are seeds, nuts, beans and grains that protect themselves with enzyme inhibitors and require soaking prior to eating.  Additionally, cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli and brussels  sprouts contain thyroid inhibitors and benefit from cooking. If we eat raw fruits and vegetables, however, our own inherent supply of digestive enzymes gets a little break. Plant matter essentially assists in it’s own digestion. It’s like a great guest helping you clean up after a meal.

Enzyme Depletion

Suffice to say that if we eat a lot of raw food we are going to maintain our enzyme supply a great deal longer than we would otherwise. Which could mean the difference between keeling over at sixty-five  or still thriving at ninety.

The fact is enzyme depletion is a real thing, and it’s more prevalent now than ever. Back in our great-grandparents days, soils were rich and healthy. Food was grown naturally without chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Everything was organic. You didn’t have to go looking for it in some special section of a grocery store. These practices passed to the produce in terms of greater nutritional value and greater enzyme presence. Fast forward a hundred years or so: agribusiness , pasteurization, processed foods, hormones, fluoridated water, microwaves, irradiation of food and increased pollution have wreaked havoc. Nutritionally and enzymatically  we’re now eating  a pale imitation of what our produce used to be.

Digestive enzyme depletion can rear it’s ugly head in the form of headaches, mood swings, fatigue and compromised immune function. Not to mention, a slew of intestinal and digestive disorders like bloating, constipation, food allergies and bowel and yeast infections. Certainly a bunch of things nobody wants.

Why You Should Boost Levels of Enzymes in the Body

Anti-Aging Properties

Enzymes are known to slow down the aging process. Similarly, decreased production or insufficiency of enzymes leads to inflammation and build up of wastes and toxins in the body. This can lead to aging. Additionally, some enzymes are known to encourage production of hormones and vitamin D which is good for your skin. That’s right; if we follow a diet high in raw living foods that are teeming with enzymes we’ll be rewarded with a radiant complexion!

Keep Diseases and Illnesses at Bay

Enzymes play a role in the prevention of myriad diseases and illnesses. Lack or insufficient production of pancreatic enzymes, for example, can lead to diabetes, cancer and other destructive ailments. Some enzymes also regulate blood sugar, fatty acids and other micro-nutrients thus keeping tabs on hypertension, heart diseases and obesity.

Helps You Lose Weight

Metabolic enzymes facilitate the process of breaking down fats and carbohydrates to release energy. Likewise, if they are inadequate or inefficient, it can lead to accumulation of sugars and fats, making for fatter bellies and weight gain.

Other benefits include:

• Better removal of toxic wastes
• Improved absorption of oxygen
• Help to eliminate internal blood clots
• Reduced inflammation
• Regulated Hormones
• Regulated nerve impulses
• Slowing the aging process

Special Cases

Anything that bolsters enzyme preserve pumps up our overall health and staves off aging. Who can argue with that? But there are individuals that stand to receive special benefits from adopting high raw food diets. These include those who:

• Anyone over 30 years old. Studies show that people lose approximately 13% of enzyme reserve every 10 years. That is to say that by the time you hit 40,  an incredible 25% of your body’s store is gone! So, eating a diet high in raw, living foods is essential to maintaining heathy enzyme levels.
•  Those whose diets include a lot of microwaved, highly cooked or processed foods. Overcooking, processing or microwaving food, sentences enzymes to death!. A diet high in raw foods is probably your best shot at getting your enzyme groove back. And throw the microwave away.
• People who suffer from toxicity. People who struggle with excessive waste and toxins in the body benefit from an influx of enzymes. This way, you can replenish the reserve of metabolic enzymes, the catalyst known to facilitate removal of waste.
• Anyone wrestling with Chronic Illness.

How To Boost Those Enzymes

1. Eat Plenty of Raw Food

Raw vegan foods not only have plenty of naturally-occurring enzymes but are also loaded with minerals that help make even more! Eating a high raw food diet rich in veggies, fruits and other good-for-you plants is paramount for keeping healthy enzyme levels.

2. Consume Plant Based Enzymes

Raw vegan food is fairly loaded with digestive enzymes.  But if you’re scared that your enzyme levels may be compromised, there are plenty of supplements that can give things a boost! Give papaya enzyme supplements a try to do the trick!

3. Chew Your Food Well and Chew It Some More

Chewing your food well breaks it down into smaller particles that ultimately make it easier for enzymes to do their job. Why? Because the enzymes are ‘going at’ more of the food for a longer period of time. Every little chomp counts. Digestion gets ‘a shot in the arm’  and, consequently,  the body absorbs optimal nutrition from what we eat.

4. Avoid chewing gum. 

Chewing gum basically tricks your body into believing that food is on its way,  stimulating the secretion of digestive enzymes. It’s preparing for food that never arrives in the stomach. Seems like there’s no surer way to waste your enzymes than chewing gum.

5. Fortify Your Diet with High Enzyme Foods

We all know that pineapples and papayas are rich in enzymes. Add mangos, kiwis, melons, grapes, avocados, sprouted seeds and legumes, fermented veggies and wheatgrass and a veritable arsenal works for us!

Finally,  we really need to go out of our way to insure that our enzymes are preserved, encouraged and protected. Because – despite all odds – they’re certainly working hard to help us out, don’t they?