Chapter 5

Enzymes And Co-Enzymes –
Love Enzymes

Enzymes are the most important protein group in all living systems. Without them, digestion would not be possible. Enzymes are responsible for breaking down food and releasing energy, vitamins, fats and minerals along with other nutrients. Enzymes are produced internally in the stomach, pancreas and liver and we also take them in through the foods that we eat. When we don’t get a sufficient number of the right digestive enzymes into our body, bloating and flatulence will result. If the problem persists, we will not be able to digest our food and it will end up rotting and fermenting in our gut.

Most of my patients have low levels of digestive enzymes in their gut. As simple as supplementing these will assist with what may appear to be food sensitivities.

The following 8 tips for an enzyme rich diet will ensure that your digestive system is in top shape:

1. Eat 30-40% raw foods
2. Eat fresh foods not refrigerated, where possible
3. Lightly steam vegies
4. Chew foods thoroughly
5. Drink goats milk; it is high in enzymes
6. Use naturally fermented foods like yoghurt or sauerkraut /pickles
7. Get supplements from a naturopath
8. Consume such high enzyme foods as pineapple and pawpaw

Probiotics, Pre-biotics and Fermented foods - are they important ?

What they are. What’s the fuss all about?

Its probiotics and prebiotics that are beneficial to digestive health because of the positive effect they have on the bacteria that live in our digestive systems. Probiotics are the live micro-organisms and prebiotics are the non-digestible foods, mainly carbohydrates, which stimulate the growth of probiotics. So they are needed simultaneously.

Our digestive tract is home to numerous bacteria, also known as gut flora. A healthy digestive system has a good balance of both good and bad gut flora.

If the balance of these two is upset, harmful bacteria can flourish, leading to symptoms of diarrhoea, vaginal yeast infections and many other health problems.

The reasons why the probiotic balance of your digestive system can be disturbed include:

• Taking antibiotics
• Stress
• Eating a poor diet high in refined sugars
• Insufficient dietary fibre
• Exposure to environmental toxins
• Anxiety
• Food sensitivities
• Immunisations
• Taking medicines
• Taking antacids

Taking and incorporating both into your diet can help to:

• Improve digestion
• Prevent constipation and diarrhoea
• Improve brain function in children
• Assist children with behavioural and concentration issues
• Boost immunity. Given that the first point of contact between the environment and our body is our digestive tract then maintaining the right gut flora can assist in improving immunity
• Assists with asthma, hayfever and eczema symptoms
• Reduces the risk of certain cancers
• Helps to stabilise blood sugar levels and blood fat levels

Probiotics are available in the form of food and dietary supplements such as tablets, capsules and powders. Other sources include probiotic yoghurts, fermented and unfermented milk, miso, tempeh and some juices as well as pickled products.

Honestly speaking, if you are eating a healthy mixed diet with lots of vegetables, your digestive system is likely to function well without the need to take specific probiotic supplements. Incorporating some homemade pickled products (see my pickled eggplant recipe) or sauerkraut into your diet is, always, I feel a better way.