What are Enzymes?

The raw food pioneer Ann Wigmore believed "enzyme preservation is the secret to health". And she may have been on to something!

So what are enzymes? They are special types of proteins which act as catalysts, enabling our bodies to perform all of their biological processes - from the digestion of food to the sending of nerve impulses. It seems our bodies require enzymes to do pretty much everything - to mend, heal, and even think!

There are three broad groups of enzymes:

1. digestive enzymes used by the body to digest food
2. metabolic enzymes used throughout the body
3. food enzymes present in all live foods

The digestive enzymes fall into three main types:

• amylases for digesting carbohydrates
• proteases that digest proteins, and
• lipases for the digestion of fats.

A Finite Supply of Enzymes

Babies, children, and young adults have more than twice the amount of digestive enzymes than older adults. Many believe we are born with a finite amount of enzymes, and that by preserving our enzymes we can remain healthy and youthful well into our 80's - possibly longer! We are able to preserve enzymes by eating a diet high in living foods.

Eating Lightly Preserves Enzymes

One of the most beneficial things you can do for your body is to eat only when you are genuinely hungry. By eating lightly we also preserve our bodies supply of enzymes.

Overeating even healthy foods is very detrimental to our health.

Energy in Raw Food

It is said that raw uncooked food contains its own food enzymes, in the right amounts to break down that particular food. These food enzymes are activated when a live food is eaten, meaning fewer of our own digestive enzymes are required to fully digest the food.

Soaking and sprouting raw nuts, seeds, and grains turns them into live foods rich in nutrients and enzymes. The soaking process removes enzyme inhibitors whose purpose is to prevent them from sprouting and trying to grow in unsuitable conditions.

Cooking Food

Heating food above 120F is said to destroy all of its enzymes and some of its nutrients, making it less nutritious. I believe cooked vegetables are still healthy, but they are even healthier raw - as long as your body can digest them.

Raw food enthusiasts use juicers and blenders to preserve the high enzyme and nutrient content of raw food, while making it easier for our bodies to digest.

Raw living food can be warmed up to about 120F (warm to the touch) before enzymes start to be damaged. This has inspired the use of the dehydrator. As well as being used to make 'raw' breads, cookies, and burgers, dehydrators are a useful way to preserve summer fruits and vegetables for winter use.

Go to Why eat raw food?

Go to the Living Foods Diet

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