What health problems can one develop if they have enzyme deficiencies?
By James Jordan, J.D., C.N.C.
What health problems can one develop if they have enzyme deficiencies?
Depending on which enzyme deficiencies a person has, one may have many health problems. Enzyme deficiencies are major contributing factors to many health problems including: allergies, arthritis, arteriosclerosis, bladder problems, constipation, candidiasis, chronic infections, depression, eczema and other skin disorders, fatigue, gastrointestinal problems, headaches, heart disease, hemorrhoids, low and high blood pressure, liver and gallbladder problems, insomnia, pancreatitis, PMS and other hormonal imbalances, osteoporosis, ulcers and more.
To find out which enzyme deficiencies you may have please take the enzyme deficiency questionnaire at the end of this newsletter.
Different Types of Enzyme Supplements on the Market
There are three basic types of enzyme supplements on the market today.
A. Plant Enzymes:
- Bromelain is derived from the pineapple stem and is proteolysis, which means it, breaks down protein. It is activated at temperatures higher than normal body temperature and is therefore beneficial as an anti-inflammatory since the site of inflammation always generates greater amounts of heat.
- Papain is derived from papaya and like bromelain is an anti-inflammatory because it is both proteolysis and is activated at higher than normal body temperatures.
B. Glandular/Animal Enzymes: there are four commonly used commercially:
- Chymotrypsin is an enzyme derived from the pancreas of ox and pigs.
- Pancreatin is an enzyme extracted from the pancreas of a hog or ox. It contains protease, amylase and lipase.
- Pepsin is a proteolysis enzyme prepared from the stomach of pigs.
- Trypsin is a proteolysis enzyme derived from many animals.
All the animal derived enzymes work in limited pH ranges and are not ideal for digestion, but can be effective for glandular support and for reducing inflammation.
C. Plant-Based Enzymes: there are many brands of these enzymes on the market that are grown from aspergillums, a non-pathogenic fungus derived from soy and barley. The following are some of the more common enzymes and their benefits:
- Alpha-Glycosidase: breaks down carbohydrates such as raffinose and stachyose and is especially helpful in digesting beans and raw vegetables.
- Amylase: breaks down carbohydrates such as starch, glycogen and polysaccharides into smaller units.
- Betaglucanase: helps break down grains.
- Catalase: breaks hydrogen peroxide down into water and oxygen. One of the most powerful anti-oxidants.
- Cellulose: breaks down fibers in both fruits and vegetables to allow for greater absorption of nutrients. Also can break down the cell wall of candid to allow for the immune system to destroy it.
- Glucoamylase: breaks down carbohydrates, specifically polysaccharides into glucose.
- Hemicelluloses: breaks down carbohydrates.
- Invertase: breaks down carbohydrates, especially sucrose.
- Lactase: breaks down lactose (milk sugar).
- Lipase: breaks down lipids and improves fat utilization Supports gallbladder function.
- Maltase: breaks down carbohydrates, malt and grain sugars.
- Nattokinase: breaks down inappropriate cross-linked protein, reduces blood clots and C-reactive protein. Found in fermented soy.
- Pectinase: breaks down carbohydrates, such as pectin found in many fruits and vegetables.
- Protease: breaks down protein, bonds with alpha 2-macro globulin to support immune function when taken on an empty stomach.
- Phytase: breaks down carbohydrates especially phytic acid found in the leaves of plants.
- Xylanase: breaks down soluble fiber.
"Death is due to a loss of enzymes."
--Dr. Edward Howell, author of Food Enzymes for Health and Longevity
Howell coined the term " enzyme potential," which is like your enzyme bank account--some are born with healthy reserves, some have very poor reserves. We all make digestive and metabolic enzymes, but as we age we tend to make less each year. The way to preserve and even rebuild your enzyme reserves are as follows:
- Eat more raw foods, which will reduce your bodies demand for digestive enzymes and therefore reduce the depletion of your own metabolic enzymes as well.
- Reduce the amount of cooked foods you eat, which will also preserve your enzyme reserves. The disadvantage is that you also reduce the amount of nutrients you take in.
- Take a high-quality plant-based enzyme supplement with every cooked meal and for certain health challenges customized formulas between meals.
For more information, please visit James Jordan’s Web site, www.createvibranthealth.com.
By James Jordan, J.D., C.N.C.
