|
|
|
A Closer Look at Testosterone Deficiency
Testosterone deficiency, also known as hypogonadism, is a condition in which the testes are unable to produce enough testosterone to fulfill the body's needs. Testosterone deficiency has many possible causes, including genetic abnormalities, injury...
Little Known Facts About Changes In Our Diet
To say that Americans are obsessed with dieting is an understatement! Pick up any magazine, tune-in or turn-on any source of advertising and you're bombarded with the latest diet schemes and food fads. More often than not, they are endorsed by some...
Surgery: A Weight Loss Plan for the Toughest Cases
Recently, a number of high-profile celebrities, from TV
weatherman Al Roker to American Idol's Randy Jackson, have made
headlines as a result of undergoing weight loss surgery.
Supporters of such surgery say that it offers hope for people
who...
The Obesity Epidemic - How To Avoid The Coming Whirlwind
The statistics are shocking. The World Health Organization labels obesity an epidemic. The International Obesity Taskforce labels it a fully global epidemic - a pandemic. Two out of every 3 Americans are overweight. One out of every 3 is obese....
Why Choose Naturopathic Medicine?
Why Choose Naturopathic Medicine? Naturopathic medicine is a system and philosophy of medicine that has been around for hundreds, perhaps thousands, of years. Before the advent of ‘conventional’ medicine, which uses a wide variety of drugs and...
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Enzymes and Nutrition, Part II
This compilation of information is Copyright 2005 by http://www.organicgreens.us and Loring Windblad. This article may be freely copied and used on other web sites only if it is copied complete with all links and text, including this header, intact and unchanged except for minor improvements such as misspellings and typos.
It is important in understanding enzymes and nutrition to really have a firm grasp of what enzymes are, where they come from, what role they play in nutrition. We have already covered this area of nutrition in Part I. Here in Part II we will discuss which enzymes digest which type of food, whether I have an infinite supply of enzymes, what happens when I start to run low on digestive enzymes, what I can do to maintain my enzyme level and whether there are certain enzymes I can take for specific health conditions.
Which digestive enzymes digest food?
Proteins, carbohydrates, and fats are the three main food groups that make up the bulk of our daily diet. A "balanced" diet means we consume the proper proportions of these three basic food groups on a daily basis. This balance, when combined with the assurance that we also get the essential nutrients, can help provide a healthy life — if we properly process and metabolize these nutrients. To do this we also need an adequate source of the major types of digestive enzymes: Proteases, Amylases and Lipases.
Let’s build a small chart and take a look at just what these food groups and enzymes are:
FOOD GROUP% OF DAILY DIETENZYME CLASSENZYME FUNCTION
Proteins20-25%ProteaseDigests Protein
Carbohydrates50-60%AmylaseDigests Carbohydrates
Fats20-30%LipaseDigests Fats (Lipids)
There are numerous categories of digestive enzymes, but for the purpose of this discussion, we will cover the three primary classes of digestive enzymes that digest our food. [NOTE: generally speaking, enzymes end with the suffix "ase."]
If the proper QUANTITY and required TYPE of enzymes are not present, your body becomes TOXIC from the left over WASTE of incomplete digestion. This is the reason why most illnesses and diseases are initially a dietary mistake. This can be prevented and it can be reversed. It’s all a matter of having the right amount and the right kind of enzymes available at the right time to prevent your body from becoming a receptacle for pollution and waste — a receptacle that then breeds and harbors disease.
Do I have an infinite supply of enzymes?
No. Until recently, many within the scientific community labored under the misconception that the digestive enzymes in our body are constant and last forever; that they can be used and reused; that they never get old and never wear out.
Researchers now know that we lose digestive enzymes through sweat and body waste. Through constant use, enzymes lose their strength and ability to do their work. As we age, the organs responsible for producing our digestive enzymes become less efficient. Today's environmental pollution, overly processed fast foods, genetically modified foods, high anti-biotic content and microwave cooking can result in free radical damage, which lowers the body's effectiveness to produce enzymes. To offset this loss, we need to supplement our system with oral digestive enzymes. One such enzyme supplement is an organic greens, Bio 88+ (Plus).
What are some of the causes of low enzyme supply?
When our bodies are nutritionally out of balance, which may lead to chronic illness. Also, our digestive enzymes become depleted when we go on long-term restrictive diets which cut out one basic food group for too long a period, when we eat too many overcooked foods, when we eat foods that are laced with antibiotics, when we eat foods which have traces (or more) of artificial fertilizers, fungicides and pesticides.
Nor do those foods contain any systemic replenishing enzymes. Our body’s stock of beneficial organisms (metabolic and digestive enzymes) also becomes
depleted when we are ill and must take antibiotics. In these instances we must have outside sources of enzyme replenishment.
What happens when we start to run low on enzymes?
Here's the bottom line. Many illnesses and poor health conditions are the result of a digestive malfunction causing toxemia inside the body. This malfunction is the result of insufficient quantities of Digestive Enzymes to properly digest and metabolize nutrients. Significant short- and long-term health problems could develop when these nutrients are not digested.
Some lifestyle problems like high blood pressure, kidney disease, liver problems, indigestion and heartburn, adult onset diabetes, fibromyalgia, migraines, PMS, even hyperactivity in children, often have their starting point in nutritional problems.
When our body is stressed by a shortage of digestive enzymes two things can happen and both are bad.
1.Because our body finally becomes so overworked it can't make enough enzymes to properly digest our food. As this undigested food begins to pollute our body, the chances of chronic disease increase.
2.Our body continues to work overtime to create the needed enzymes required to digest our food. This extra stress adversely affects our immune system and lowers our ability to protect ourselves from and fight off disease.
Supplemental digestive enzymes will deliver the necessary nutrients to fortify your body and can enhance your body's healing system, often resulting in improved overall health and vitality.
What can I do to restore and/or maintain my enzyme levels?
You don't need to be in this predicament and there are some ways to stay out of it. The digestive enzymes you need for the process of restoring and maintaining your health are available through several sources. One of them is the author’s website, at the bottom of this page. However, you are urged to follow the advice given in the closing paragraph.
Which special health conditions might benefit from enzyme treatment?
Here are some specific health problems or conditions which may benefit from specific enzyme treatment.
1. Chronic indigestion, heartburn, or gastric disorders (i.e., gastroenteritis).
2. Nervousness, anxiety and difficulty sleeping.
3. Irregularity, constipation and diarrhea.
4. Digesting fats (lipids) including whole milk, a situation often associated with high cholesterol, heart disease and obesity.
5. Weight problems, either high or low.
As you may be aware there are extensive studies and research on soy that have discovered remarkable and wide-ranging benefits to good health. Soy's beneficial health properties have proven successful in alleviating many hormonal-related issues (such as hot flashes), preventing bone density loss, reducing some cancer tumors, lowering cholesterol levels, and promoting cardiovascular health to name just a few. The problem with soy products (see digestive problems above) is that “good soy” has virtually all, worldwide, become contaminated with the Genetically Modified (BMO) versions.
Disclaimer: These articles in no way should be taken as medical advice on any product or condition, nor do they constitute in any way medical advice endorsing any specific product, specific result, nor any possible cure for any condition or problem. They are meant as a source of information upon which you may base your decision as to whether or not you should begin using a greens product as a dietary supplement. If in doubt, or if you have questions, you should consult your physician and, if possible, consult a second physician for a possible different opinion. The author bears no responsibility for your decisions nor for the outcome of your actions based upon those decisions.
About the Author
Loring Windblad has studied nutrition and exercise for more than 40 years, is a published author and freelance writer. His latest business endeavor is at
http://www.organicgreens.us
|
|
|
|
|
| American Diabetes Association Home Page |
| Their mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by this disease. Available in English and Spanish. |
| www.diabetes.org |
|
| Diabetes Information - American Diabetes Association |
| The American Diabetes Association recommends the FPG because it is easier, ... Take the first steps toward better diabetes care by visiting the Diabetes ... |
| www.diabetes.org |
|
| Diabetes UK home page - Diabetes UK |
| Diabetes UK is the largest organisation in the UK working for people with diabetes, funding research, campaigning and helping people live with the ... |
| www.diabetes.org.uk |
|
| Canadian Diabetes Association |
| To promote the health of Canadians through diabetes research, education, service, and advocacy. |
| www.diabetes.ca |
|
| Diabetes information including treating type 2 diabetes at ... |
| Offers dietary recommendations, including recipes and tips on managing blood sugar levels. From GlaxoSmithKline. |
| www.diabetes.com |
|
| Diabetes |
| Web site for Diabetes. ... publishes Diabetes. Stanford University Libraries' HighWire Press ® assists in the publication of Diabetes Online ... |
| diabetes.diabetesjournals.org |
|
| CDC Diabetes Public Health Resource |
| The diabetes information homepage of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, provided by the CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation. |
| www.cdc.gov |
|
| CDC - Health Topic: Diabetes |
| Diabetes · Diabetes and Research Diagnostics · Diabetes Surveillance Report · FAQ's on Diabetes · Physical Activity and Health: A Report of the Surgeon ... |
| www.cdc.gov |
|
| National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse |
| Provides educational materials to increase knowledge and understanding about diabetes among patients, health care professionals, and the general public. |
| diabetes.niddk.nih.gov |
|
| Diabetes mellitus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia |
| For diabetes mellitus in pets, see diabetes in cats and dogs. ... Type 1 diabetes mellitus - formerly known as insulin-dependent diabetes (IDDM), ... |
| en.wikipedia.org |
|
| MedlinePlus: Diabetes |
| (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) - Links to PDF ... Select services and providers for Diabetes in your area. ... |
| www.nlm.nih.gov |
|
| MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Diabetes |
| Diabetes affects about 18 million Americans. There are many risk factors for ... These levels are considered to be risk factors for type 2 diabetes and its ... |
| www.nlm.nih.gov |
|
| Diabetes |
| What to expect from your diabetes diagnosis? Get up-to-the-minute information about medications, insulin, blood sugar management, nutrition requirements, ... |
| diabetes.about.com |
|
| WebMD Diabetes Health Center - Information on Type 1 and Type 2 ... |
| Find in-depth information here about diabetes prevention, diet, ... Study Shows Burned-Out Staffers More Likely to Get Type 2 DiabetesGo To Article ... |
| www.webmd.com |
|
| WebMD Health - 404 Error |
| Allergies|Anxiety Disorders|Arthritis|Asthma|Back Pain|Bipolar Disorder|Cancer|Children's Health|Cholesterol|Depression| Diabetes|Diet & Nutrition|Erectile ... |
| www.webmd.com |
|
| Diabetes Overview |
| Defines diabetes, including the various types and treatments. Provides information on the impact and cost of the disease, its increasing prevalence, ... |
| www.niddk.nih.gov |
|
| Diabetes News - The New York Times |
| A free collection of articles about diabetes published in The New York Times. |
| topics.nytimes.com |
|
| children with DIABETES Online Community |
| An online community for kids, families, and adults with diabetes, featuring message boards, chat rooms, and questions/answers from medical professionals. |
| www.childrenwithdiabetes.com |
|
| International Diabetes Institute - Diabetes Research, Education ... |
| The International Diabetes Institute is the leading national and international centre for diabetes research, diabetes education and diabetes care. |
| www.diabetes.com.au |
|
| Diabetes New Zealand |
| Educates and informs people about diabetes, its treatment, prevention, and cure of diabetes. |
| www.diabetes.org.nz |
|
|