My Healthy Tidbits

In spite of the fact that food enzymes do not appear on the list of U.S. Recommended Daily Allowances, they are essential nutrients.  All living things contain enzymes.  The enzymes found in food are responsible for the biochemical reactions that bring plants to ripeness.  

Enzymes must be removed from our food supply in order for food products to achieve extended shelf life.  The food industry had to have biochemists learn to destroy the enzymes found in food.  Canned foods cannot have enzymes in their fruits and vegetables.

Many new technologies have been advanced to destroy the enzymes found in food.  One of the newest areas of advancement is in growing hybrid foods such as tomatoes that will have a reduced amount of naturally occurring enzymes.  This will allow greater shelf life in the produce section of the grocery store.  It will also place a greater strain on individuals who consume such foods to digest them.

While we are very careful to replace the vitamins and minerals lost in the processing of food, we do not replace the more important food enzymes.  Unless supplemental food enzymes are taken, our diets will continue to be deficient in these essential nutrients.  Vitamin and mineral deficiencies result in acute symtoms, but it takes some time for enzyme deficiencies to be seen and they manifest as chronic degenerative diseases. A diet composed exclusively of cooked food puts a severe strain on the pancreas, the result is a shortened life span, illness and lowered resistence to stress of all types.

Very few people know about the vital role nature planned for food enzymes to play in the digestion of our food.  Digestive problems are now a major health problem in this country.  Billions of dollars are spent each year on antacids.  There is a correlation between digestion problems, degenerative diseases and the removal of enzymes in our food.

For hundreds of years, raw-food diets (full of enzymes) have been used to reverse diseases, including diabetes.  Whole foods give good health; enzyme-rich foods provide limitless energy.