The following article was written by Robert Lemon. R. Ph

In simple language, enzymes keep us alive! I often refer to enzymes as our "biochemical agents of life." These unique proteins are essential components of over 90 trillion cells, composing every tissue of every organ in our body. Without them, very few of our essential metabolic processes would even take place. They regulate the digestion of our food, the production of energy, the production of hormones and other important body secretions, and the destruction of foreign substances. Even the process of phagocytosis, an important activity of the immune system in protecting us from deadly bacterial infections, involves enzyme action. In short, maintaining adequate enzyme levels in our bodies is critical.

Clean Sweep
One important function of enzymes is the breakdown of older cells that have fulfilled their useful function and need to be recycled. This is a major process whose importance is commonly overlooked. Think about it, though. Would you rather your body be made up of older, less efficient and lethargic cells, or would you prefer to have a larger portion made up of younger, more efficient cells, producing your energy and performing their life functions? In which case do you think you would feel better and be more healthy? With which scenario do you think you could better withstand the attack of free radicals and old "Father Time"? Thanks to enzymes, virtually billions of cells are broken down each day and the proteins, lipids and other ingredients of which they were made are recycled and used to produce new, more active cells. Given that our age, or at least our relative vigor, is linked to whether our cells are efficient and alive or mere "deadwood," the importance of enzymes is clear. If adequate levels are not present, the body simply can't rid itself of the old and make room for new, more efficient cells.

Stocking Up
Where do we obtain our enzymes? Most are manufactured in our body. Others must be obtained from our diet, and, increasingly, from supplements. Keep in mind that enzymes are very sensitive to heat, and most of them are destroyed by cooking. As a result, the foods we eat may well be lacking in the enzymes they originally contained. That is why it is so important to include a reasonable amount of raw fruits and vegetables in our diet. What's more, these must be fresh, as enzymes are very active chemically and do not remain stable in the produce containing them. Keeping them cool is also important, because the enzymes are used up much more quickly at warmer temperatures.

Bon Appétit!
Scientists usually classify enzymes either by the action they perform or the type of substance they work on. For instance, enzymes whose action involves the transfer of one part of a molecule to another are called transferases. Hydrolases insert a molecule of water into a large molecule and thereby split it apart. Examples of enzymes named for the substrate on which they work are proteases (protein) and lipases (lipids, or "fats"). Both are essential to healthy digestion. They are produced in goodly amounts in the healthy pancreas and are also present in a number of foods; papain, from papaya, and bromelain, from pineapple, are two of the most common, used in tenderizing meat. Because digestion requires a lot of energy from the body-and a lot of enzyme action-it makes sense to aid this function by supplementing with enzymes, just as it makes sense to concentrate on eating fresh, whole, raw foods for the many enzymes they contain. It is also important to make sure that adequate amounts of stomach acid are present, to help activate digestive enzymes there. If foods are not completely broken down, they have a much greater possibility of causing allergic reactions in the body.

Go with the Flow
In the bloodstream, certain proteins can be major factors in provoking aging and reduced health. One good example is fibrin, directly involved in the formation of blood clots. This, of course, can increase one's probability of developing many of the well known circulatory diseases, such as angina pectoris, atherosclerosis, thrombophlebitis, heart attack and stroke. As a matter of fact, it can be shown that a reduced "proteolytic potential" of the bloodstream-that is, a lesser ability to break down protein-can be linked with increased incidence of cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, research suggests that consuming a diet rich in proteolytic enzymes, as well as supplementing with them, can increase proteolytic potential, thereby reducing the risk of suffering such conditions.

In Sum
When enzyme levels in the body diminish, as they seem to over time, and when dietary levels decrease as well, the stage is set for the development of poor health and even weight gain. Choosing a diet containing reasonable levels of fruits and vegetables-some of them raw-and supplementing with enzymes only makes good sense.

ENZYMES-For Absorption

Vitamins are relatively cheap to produce confirmed by the cheap prices found in grocery and drug stores. While the prices may look inviting, the manaufacturer fails to tell you that there is very little absorption available for the body. In order to have cheap prices, enzymes are not included and they are needed to break down and utilize various vitamins and nutrients. Enzymes are used in all vital body functions.

Our diets generally lack enzymes because of a diet that does not include enough enzyme carrying foods. It is no secret that we are eating way too much processed and fast foods which not only are void of good nutrition, but enzymes.

Life Plus has made an important practice of providing the exclusive PhytoZyme base of phytonutrients. This consists of concentrations of fruits, vegetables and enzymes and it helps you to absorb more of the nutrients (vitamins, minerals, proteins, amino acids, etc) in each product.

Supplementing with Somazyme is a good choice when you want more enzymes in your diet regimen. Go here for more information on..... Enzymes in Somazyme

When you supplement, get the most use from taking vitamins. Your health is a valuable asset and we want you to be the best you possibly can!