WHAT ARE ENZYMES?

Enzymes are the spark of life. Without them, life would not exist. They are the workers that make your body function. Although the action of enzymes cannot be seen, it is the driving force behind virtually every biochemical process that occurs in the body. There are hundreds of thousands of enzymes active in every organ, tissue, and fluid, and each has its own function. Enzymes activate our muscles, stimulate our nerves, make our hearts beat, keep us breathing, and even help us think. These complex biochemical substances are also able to convert nutrients from food to strong, healthy bodies.

There are three distinct types of enzymes:

• Food enzymes which are contained in all raw food.
• Digestive enzyme which are secreted by the body to digest food.
• Metabolic enzymes which run other biochemical processes.

WHAT DO ENZYMES DO?

Plant enzymes bring the plant to maturity or ripeness. If the conditions are right, they will "digest" the plant when properly activated. The enzymes are released by either chewing or cutting the plant. All enzymes require the following in order to work: the presence of water, the proper temperature, the correct pH range (acid vs. alkaline), and something to digest.

The body is provided with enzymes every time raw food is eaten because all raw food contains just the right amount and type of enzymes to digest itself. Nature put enzymes in raw food to aid in the digestive process so that the body’s enzymes would not have to do all the work.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF FOOD ENZYMES?

There are four main types of food enzymes:

• PROTEASES break down protein (meats, beans, etc.)
• AMYLASES break down carbohydrates (potatoes, pasta, cookies, etc.)
• LIPASES break down fats (olives, avocados, etc.)
• CELLULASES break down fiber (celery, carrots, etc.)

Three amylases are essential to the digestion of carbohydrates:

• LACTASE breaks down lactose (milk sugar).
• SUCRASE breaks down sucrose (refined sugar).
• MALTASE breaks down maltose (molt sugar).
  

I EAT A BALANCED DIET, SO WHY WOULD I NEED ENZYMES?

If you eat food that is steamed, boiled, roasted, broiled, fried, stewed, canned, pasteurized, or even microwaved, you need food enzymes. Enzymes are the most heat sensitive nutrients found in food. When food enzymes are missing, the body is forced to produce all the enzymes necessary for digestion. This puts unwarranted stress on the organs of digestion which must rob enzymes from your immune system to digest your food.

HOW CAN I AVOID AN ENZYME DIFFICENCY?

Digesting food is one of the most energy-consuming tasks performed by the human body on a regular basis. When foods deficient in enzymes are eaten, the body uses a considerable amount of energy making enzymes for digestion. This often explains why we feel tired after eating. To avoid enzyme deficiencies, eat as many raw fruits and vegetable as possible. We live in a modern age where food needs to be convenient and nutritious, so taking plant enzymes with each meal will help digest your food, lessen the work of your digestive system, and reduce stress on the digestive organs.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF ENZYME DEFICIENCY?

Consumers spend over 80 billion dollars each year to relieve heartburn, excess acid, bloating, and other symptoms of indigestion. Fatigue, diarrhea/constipation, gas, headaches, colon problems, hardening of the arteries, and high cholesterol are just a few of conditions that stem from a shortage of enzymes. All of these symptoms can be attributed to poor digestion. If allowed to progress, chronic degenerative diseases may become evident in later years. If you are showing any signs of these symptoms, it is possible that you already are enzyme deficient.

WHAT DO I DO IF I EXPERIENCE SYMPTOMS?

A plalpatory exam and a 24-hour urinalysis will indicate how well your body digests and uses food nutrients. The result of a 24-hour urinalysis combined with a palpatory exam will clearly indicate what enzyme supplements will help to return the body to health. Because no two people are alike, there are different enzyme formulations for different people. We recommend the correct enzyme supplements for you based on information from the physical exam and urinalysis and also recommended a diet modification program to reduce the likelihood of redeveloping an enzyme deficiency. This program has helped thousands return to a state of health and it can do the same for you.

HOW LONG WILL I HAVE TO TAKE FOOD ENZYME SUPPLEMENTS?

The length of time it takes to correct imbalances in body chemistry will depend upon how long the imbalances have existed and how well you follow our dietary recommendations. Most people begin to notice a positive difference within a relatively short period of time, some even at their very next meal. However, healthful balance is only regained when their major stressor has been removed.

After body chemistry is restored to normal, a multiple enzyme supplements should continue to be taken to help maintain sufficient enzyme levels. Diet modification is strongly suggested as a means of taking care of the body and therefore preventing disease.

ARE ALL ENZYME SUPPLEMETS THE SAME?

Food enzymes can digest protein, fat, carbohydrates, and fiber. They are pH balanced to work throughout the entire digestive tract. Supplements of pepsin, trypsin, bromelain, and papain can only digest proteins, and pancreatic enzyme supplements can only break down three of the four food groups.

Only supplements with the pHBS® symbol are recommended. The pH Balancing System (pHBS®) is your guarantee that the supplement you take will work in the proper pH and deliver the herbal nutrient, whether you can digest them or not.

Food supplements with the pHBS® symbol are your only guarantee that the food supplements are formulated by Dr. Howard F. Loomis, the world’s foremost authority on enzymes, and that the formulations are perfectly pH balanced for nutrients bioavailability.