What are Enzymes?

I've been wondering that for a long time. I hear about live enzymes and enzymes being killed at certain temperatures. I know enzymes help you digest your food, but really, what are they? Are they little living organisms that live inside your body?

Well, they are technically not "alive" or "dead". They are protein molecules - large protein molecules that are found in all living things. They are made up of two parts. Half is made from protein, called the apoenzyme which contains hundreds of amino acids. The other part is called a coenzyme and is usually a vitamin or mineral.

Enzymes are secreted by cells and act as catalysts to induce chemical reactions in other molecules.

Enzymes are, in a sense, energy. They have the capacity to do work. Enzymes are like the workers and vitamins and minerals along with proteins, carbohydrates and fats are the building blocks.

When enzymes are referred to as "live" it means that they are intact and able to work properly. A "dead" enzyme is denatured and incapable of doing any work, or acting as a catalyst.

Enzymes are vital to the digestion of our food. They are present in all living foods but most foods we eat now days are completely void of enzymes. They must be removed from foods to prolong shelf life. Fresh RAW fruits and vegetables contain live enzymes.

Your body is able to produce it's own enzymes for most digestives processes but it was not designed to supply ALL the enzymes required for digestion. Due to the nature of the standard American diet (SAD) our digestive systems are constantly being overworked. Is it any wonder that digestive problems are a major health issue in the United States?

You can help your body by eating living foods. Living foods are RAW fruits and vegetables with live enzymes intact. The enzymes are released by chewing or cutting the food. Eat something (or several things) raw at each meal. The enzymes contained in raw foods will help to digest what you've eaten and take some of the burden off your body. And be sure to chew thoroughly! If you cannot eat anything raw, take an enzyme supplement. Papaya enzymes are a very popular supplement that can be chewed with a meal to aid in digestion.

Cooking, canning, and other methods of food processing destroy enzymes. Temperatures above 118 degrees "kill" the enzymes found in our food.

Enzymes are responsible for running virtually all biochemical processes that take place in the body. We cannot live without enzymes.

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