Enzymes, what have you heard?

[tanishamarshall]

I was just reading in a book that we have it all wrong about the enzymes, that raw fooders think enzymes are provided to our bodies by fruts and Veggies, that we make to big of a deal when enzymes aren't really as vital as we think. This book is from someone who says they are Raw Foodist.

I just bought a book on Enzymes and it says the opposite, of what the guy above is saying.

What are your thoughts on Enzymes do you think we get enzymes from food or are we making a big deal out of enzymes?

I know when I eat raw I feel better then cooked, if it isn't because of the enzymes it has to be because of the food something makes me feel good. I like to believe the theory that Enzymes are provided by our food but I have read in several different places that by the time it reaches our stomach the enzymes are no longer of use.

Whatever the case I know I feel much better on a raw food diet.

[justinesmith]

I read (and believe) that we don't get enzymes from food meaning we don't eat them and then they stay in our body. The benefits we do get from the enzymes that we eat is that they help break down the food that they came in so we don't have to use our own (or as much of our own) to do the job. We have a limited amount of enzymes in our body and the less we have to use the better.

[sport]

Enzymes injested as part of a natural food do not behave in the same way as enzyme extracts do.
They pass through the small intestine where they help to absorb nutrients.
More than half of them reach the colon and they reduce putrifaction in this area and improve the intestenial flora.
This info comes from the work of Dr Edward Howell.

[lavendarJ]

Good questions...not sure that I have a really good answer. But I am a believer in the power of enzymes and based on my research and experiences with food, I find them very much essential. You know, I first embraced the raw journey August of last year and so I'm just under a year. I have noticed that when eating 100% raw that I don't have a need for a lot of additional supplements - you know like buying enzymes or vitamins. I also know that I gradually required less water than I was drinking in my pre-raw days. I'm now only drinking 1/2 gallon or a little more compared to the gallon or more that I needed. Now with this raw journey, if I eat a lot of dehydrated foods, it's just like me eating a bunch of dead carbs (the way I feel, full, bloated and constipated). I tried Alissa's enzymes and let me tell you they make all the difference in the world. I will use the enzymes from now on if I'm planning on eating a bunch of dehydrated foods like crackers or something loaded with nuts....

I definitely think we get enzymes from eating raw foods but for me, I also understand that my digestive system has been placed in a poor state (thanks to all my years of junk food leading to chronic constipation issues:o ) and so I basically believe that while our fruits, veggies and nuts have everything that we need to maintain our physcial health, our systems have been compromised by eating unhealthy processed foods in excessive amounts and that for a period during the transition to a better way of living, enzymes like Alissa's for example, are necessary to assist the body who has a major task to do.

I know I'm going on and on.... I just imagine my stomach saying "finally, I thought she'd never come to her senses, okay fellas we got some reinforcements on the way down (the enzymes), this might be doable afterall, let's hold off on giving her indigestion, it looks like she's on our team now, let's set up camp at the blockage point in sector 3, with the reinforcements, we'll be able to get that crap broken down and on it's way out"

I'm really not crazy:D I just love the digestion process since I was stuck in a constipation rut for so long in my pre-raw days. I'll be happy to see what everyone else has to say..

Have a great day!

[lavendarJ]

Awesome statementss Justine and Sport and so very true. I agree with the enzymes that we eat playing a different role than the enzyme extracts.

[tanishamarshall]

Good questions...not sure that I have a really good answer. But I am a believer in the power of enzymes and based on my research and experiences with food, I find them very much essential. You know, I first embraced the raw journey August of last year and so I'm just under a year. I have noticed that when eating 100% raw that I don't have a need for a lot of additional supplements - you know like buying enzymes or vitamins. I also know that I gradually required less water than I was drinking in my pre-raw days. I'm now only drinking 1/2 gallon or a little more compared to the gallon or more that I needed. Now with this raw journey, if I eat a lot of dehydrated foods, it's just like me eating a bunch of dead carbs (the way I feel, full, bloated and constipated). I tried Alissa's enzymes and let me tell you they make all the difference in the world. I will use the enzymes from now on if I'm planning on eating a bunch of dehydrated foods like crackers or something loaded with nuts....

I definitely think we get enzymes from eating raw foods but for me, I also understand that my digestive system has been placed in a poor state (thanks to all my years of junk food leading to chronic constipation issues:o ) and so I basically believe that while our fruits, veggies and nuts have everything that we need to maintain our physcial health, our systems have been compromised by eating unhealthy processed foods in excessive amounts and that for a period during the transition to a better way of living, enzymes like Alissa's for example, are necessary to assist the body who has a major task to do.

I know I'm going on and on.... I just imagine my stomach saying "finally, I thought she'd never come to her senses, okay fellas we got some reinforcements on the way down (the enzymes), this might be doable afterall, let's hold off on giving her indigestion, it looks like she's on our team now, let's set up camp at the blockage point in sector 3, with the reinforcements, we'll be able to get that crap broken down and on it's way out"

I'm really not crazy:D I just love the digestion process since I was stuck in a constipation rut for so long in my pre-raw days. I'll be happy to see what everyone else has to say..

Have a great day!

You're funny, about the constipation. I had that issue and sometimes when I did have #2 it was umm like I was a 600 pound man having a baby out of you know where and it hurt. ok that was nasty.. sorry for that.... bad.

[Eva]

OK Tanisha... Man, I just did not need that visual!! But it did make me laugh!

Read this if you need another visual :D :eek: :D http://www.relfe.com/toilet_seat_constipation.html

[lavendarJ]

Tanisha-

Man do I feel ya there....LOL:D

I squat everywhere now. I even squat at home sometimes but when i don't feel like it I have this stool that I can use that puts my body in that squat position while using it.....

Good article Eva!

[tanishamarshall]

Sorry to be so graphic.. LOL I might take it out.. LOL but Raw has changed everything it's much better.

[veganman]

I was just reading in a book that we have it all wrong about the enzymes, that raw fooders think enzymes are provided to our bodies by fruts and Veggies, that we make to big of a deal when enzymes aren't really as vital as we think. This book is from someone who says they are Raw Foodist.

I just bought a book on Enzymes and it says the opposite, of what the guy above is saying.


Hi Tanisha -

I am interested in the titles of the books you are reading. I am a research fiend!