Alliance Healing Center

     I recently read an article by Moriah Petrini, LMT in the February 2007 issue of “Massage Today” in which she alerts us to the importance of Proteolytic Enzymes in our body’s ability to maintain a healthy balance.  Enzymes play a critical role in reducing systemic inflammation.

     Petrini states that “systemic inflammation is largely caused by the fact that we cook our food and destroy the food’s natural enzymes, which are needed to digest food and allow the nutrients to be absorbed in the body.  When this happens, the body has to work overtime to replace these digestive enzymes and the pancreas diverts its focus from making other enzymes for the body, such as ones needed to purify our blood.  Your digestive system, immune system, blood-stream, liver, kidneys, spleen and pancreas, as well as your ability to see, think, feel and breathe, all depend on enzymes.  In fact, enzymes govern every single metabolic function in your body:  your stamina, energy level, ability to utilize vitamins and minerals, immune system, and more.”

     Proteolytic enzymes reduce inflammation by neutralizing the biochemicals of inflammation.  Enzymes can help reduce inflammation, speed healing of bruises, and reduce overall recovery time.

     In the reference manual, “Prescription for Nutritional Healing” by James F. Balch, M.D. and Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C., proteolytic enzymes are listed in supplement form as pepsin, trypsin, rennin, pancreatin, and chymotrypsin.  This book also states that these enzymes have been shown to be beneficial as anti-inflammatory agents.  Pancreatin is a focus of cancer research because people with cancer are often deficient in this enzyme.  Pancreatin is used in the treatment of pancreatic insufficiency, cyctic fibrosis, digestive problems, food allergies, autoimmune disorders, viral infections and sports injuries.  The book also states that “for maximum benefit, any digestive enzyme supplement you choose should contain all of the major enzyme groups-amylase, protease, and lipase.  They should be taken after meals, unless you are eating processed and/or cooked foods, in which case it is best to take them during the meal.

     Reseach has shown that as we grow older, the body’s ability to produce enzymes decreases.  Taking supplemental enzymes can help to ensure that you continue to get the full nutritional value from your foods.

     The book recommends the following enzyme complex products:

• Infla-Zyme Forte from American Biologics
• Wobenzyme N from Marlyn Nutraceuticals
• Enzyme products from Prevail Corporation
• Enzyme products from National Enzyme Company

     As always, discuss this with your doctor before taking any supplements.

This entry was posted on Monday, February 12th, 2007 at 9:05 am and is filed under Nutrition. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.