Enzymes - a vital component of the digestive process and nutrient absorption

Enzymes are essential to digestion and absorption of everything we eat and drink. As we age our ability to make vital enzymes decreases rapidly. Guarding against this loss of enzymatic activity is critical to our health as we age. There are two main types of enzymes: digestive and metabolic.

• Digestive enzymes break down protein, carbohydrates and fats. They work as catalysts to aid in the breakdown of foods so that they can be readily absorbed by the digestive system.

• Metabolic enzymes help build and repair cells. They operate in every cell, in all organs and tissues and must be continually replaced.
  

Without proper enzyme action the body has a difficult time obtaining the nutrition it needs. A lack of proper enzyme balance can and does lead to chronic illnesses. One common cause of digestive problems stems from bad eating habits. Improper chewing and eating too quickly can hamper digestive enzyme action. Saliva contains amylase which helps break down food before it ever reaches our stomach. Proper chewing ensures that the food we swallow is sufficiently small enough for easier digestion from the gastric juices in the stomach.

Processing and cooking of foods destroys enzymes

Fresh fruits and vegetables are good sources of natural enzymes. In fact, the more natural unprocessed foods you eat the more enzymes you receive. That's because processing and cooking of foods destroys most natural enzymes within the foods. This is why enzyme supplementation is so important especially for those in middle age and beyond since the ability to produce critical enzymes diminishes with age. Enzyme supplementation at or just before mealtimes can assist in digestion which leads to greater absorption of critical nutrients by the cells of the body.

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