The Whole Food Blog

Live enzymes are often mentioned in discussions about nutrition and whole foods, but what are they, why does anyone need them, and where do you get them?  Enzymes are not vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, fats or protein, but they are catalysts for the chemical reactions that get those nutrients from whole foods working in the body.  While there are 1,300 different kinds of enzymes that help your body function, the most familiar are digestive enzymes.  Equally important are metabolic enzymes that are critical to burning fat and generating energy.

To understand why live enzymes are an important component of whole foods,  you should understand the definition of enzymes from The Nutrition Almanac-4th Edition (1996 McGraw Hill, Gayla J. Kirschmann and John D. Kirschmann), “The active chemicals in the digestive juices which cause the chemical breakdown of whole foods are called enzymes, combinations of amino acids that are capable of inducing chemical changes in other substances”.

As you search for the best whole foods, keep in mind that live enzymes are not nutrients like vitamins and minerals. They are catalysts, which act as biochemical agents joining two compounds so they can react with each other, while the enzyme itself remains intact.

Their importance cannot be overstated, “In short, virtually nothing happens in the body without the help of enzymes”, says Ellen W. Cutler, co-author of Micro Miracles. To make sure your body is functioning at full potential, experts agree it is a good idea to load up on whole foods that contain live enzymes.

To be certain you are getting the right digestive juices to turn nutrients into energy, search for all natural foods, especially real fruits and vegetables.  Be careful that the foods have not been overly heated.  Raw, whole foods provide the surest way to consume live enzymes.   However, there are some amazing, all natural food concentrates available today that are processed at low temperatures to keep the live enzymes intact.

Feed your body the nutrients it is crying out for, including live enzymes to absorb those whole food nutrients more effectively, and it will perform better for you over the long haul.

Whenever you are feeling an energy slump and want a surefire boost, focus on consuming as many all natural foods and health drinks as you can.  At one time or another, we all become lazy and fall out of the groove of exercising regularly, so if you need a jump-start to get back into healthy habits, try this natural approach.  By adding more “live”, all natural foods to your diet and consuming fewer processed,  “dead” foods, you will begin to feel like a workout is necessary just to burn off all the excess energy.

When you hear the term “live foods” it usually means they contain active, living enzymes.  Often overlooked by the average consumer, these live enzymes are an important component of raw, whole foods such as fruits and vegetables.  They are the “life force” in all natural foods and health drinks made with whole food ingredients.  Different from processed foods and drinks, these energy boosters are not “enhanced” with isolated vitamins and minerals, but instead contain nutrients in their whole food structure.

Your body literally wakes up when you start consuming more whole foods that are closer to their natural state. Enhance your water with health drinks that contain live enzymes and you get an even bigger boost. This works best if you avoid sugary drinks or caffeine, so stay away from those convenience store energy drinks and candy-colored bottled waters.  While they may give you a short-term boost, the inevitable crash will just make it harder to get going again.  Look for health drinks made with whole food ingredients that are carefully formulated to keep those plant enzymes alive and active.

By adding something powerful to your water, like natural health drinks with live enzymes, you are boosting your body’s ability to absorb nutrients.  Those living plant enzymes are the catalysts that speed up the processes allowing your cells to take in vitamins and minerals.  This gives you better hydration and more energy, faster.

The fastest, easiest way to get a boost from all natural foods and health drinks is to try some of the concentrated formulas available today.  Just blend the powder mixes with healthy liquids, and within seconds you are on your way.  If you are buying foods and drinks that have been heated or pasteurized in the packaging and bottling process, then it is more likely that the live enzymes have been destroyed.  Cooking whole foods for too long at high temperatures, or blasting them in a microwave, may destroy the valuable nutrients as well.

This natural approach is one step toward gaining the kind of energy that will help you get out of lazy mode and into a more active state. Everyone needs a boost now and then to find the motivation for reaching new heights of health and fitness.  All natural foods and health drinks with live enzymes may be just the kick-start you need.