Getting Enzymes From Food
(This is an excerpt from a University Of Metaphysical Sciences course at www.umsonline.org, please feel free to visit the school website)
The main way to obtain enzymes from the diet is from eating raw foods. The other alternate way is from taking enzyme supplements. Food sources containing enzymes in high amounts include: avocados, papayas, pineapples, bananas, and mangoes. Sprouts are the richest source (Prescription For Nutritional Healing, 1997). Sally Fallon also recommends extra virgin olive oil, other unrefined oils, raw honey, grapes, kiwis, and mangoes.
Grains, nuts, legumes and seeds are rich in enzymes, as well as other nutrients, but they also contain enzyme inhibitors. Unless deactivated, these enzyme inhibitors can put great strain on the digestive system. Different methods of deactivating the enzyme inhibitors include: sprouting, soaking in warm acidic water, sour leavening, culturing and fermenting. All of these processes are or have been used in traditional societies, and they serve to make the nutrients in grains, nuts and seeds more readily available (Nourishing Traditions, 2001).
There are different substances contained within the enzymes themselves that help to digest different nutrients. For example, there are proteases for digesting protein, lipases for digesting fats and amylases for digesting carbohydrates. If you are taking any digestive enzyme supplements, you should choose one that contains all of the major enzyme groups—amylase, protease, and lipase. A handy recipe for making your own digestive enzymes is given in Prescription For Nutritional Healing, (1997). By drying papaya seeds, placing them in a pepper grinder, and sprinkling them on your foods, you have effectively made your own digestive enzyme. A peppery taste is normal.
Angiotensin converting enzyme is a substance that makes the blood vessels narrow. Papaya enzymes or the Papain enzyme is found in the papaya fruit. This enzyme assists in the breakdown of proteins into amino-acids. Abnormal digestion symptom s may be due to an imbalance of enzymes. The Lactase enzyme is probably less prevalent in people with lactose intolerance. Natural food can still build muscle normally. Amylase is the enzyme that breaks down starch into glucose. The nutrition al value of most enzymes is very high because they help us derive nutrients from other foods we eat. Enzyme Immunoassay is a biochemical inhibitor used to detect antibody or antigen in immunology. The function of most enzymes is clear, they do the work so our body does not have to overheat.