Enzyme Nutrition and Longevity
By Dr. Keith Giaquinto
It’s come to light in recent years that strong digestion, a robust immune system and keeping the lymphatic network clean can ensure solid health and longevity. These three systems are heavily dependent on enzymes to function at their very best. Enzymes are proteins that facilitate chemical reactions in living organisms. They are required for every single chemical action that takes place in the body. Enzymes run all of the cells, organs, bones, muscles and tissues.
Biochemist and nutrition researcher Dr. Edward Howell notes in his book, Enzyme Nutrition: The Food Enzyme Concept that only humans and some of their domestic animals try to live without food enzymes. The primary cause of most disease is undernutrition, which has been amply demonstrated by research, and enzyme undernutrition stands out as a prime architect of this health bankruptcy.
Properly digesting every bite of food is the first step for overall health and longevity. Poor digestion due to a combination of a bad diet, not thoroughly chewing food, too much stress, and the body’s inability to produce adequate digestive enzymes begins the cascade of poor health. Inadequate digestion leads to a leaky gut, small intestinal bacteria overgrowth and a toxic large intestine. This can snowball and force the immune system into overdrive to clean up this mess every time one eats.
If poor digestion continues over time, the immune system will become exhausted, the internal environment becomes a constant state of inflammation, the lymphatic system becomes toxic, organs and cells will be undernourished and the body does not have the ability to produce the necessary enzymes to remove the toxicity. Once this toxic state is reached, it is only a matter of time before degeneration, disease and death occurs.
Howell also stated that a person’s life span is directly related to the exhaustion of their enzyme potential. The use of food enzymes decreases that rate of exhaustion, and thus, results in a longer, healthier and more vital life.
To achieve optimal health and wellness, one can learn about food enzyme nutrition, eat a balanced diet rich in raw fruits and vegetables, chew food thoroughly, manage stress and take food enzymes. These measures can support a healthy and long life.