Part of reducing inflammation in your gut so that you can lose weight and create a healthy digestive system is to consume foods that contain enzymes. What are enzymes you ask? According to Dr. Elizabeth Lipski in her book Digestive Wellness, “an enzyme is a protein that triggers a reaction to speed up, slow down, or change a small number of chemical reactions. Since each enzyme can only make a “small” change we need many of them.”
We have metabolic enzymes that are used to make energy, think, and control blood sugar levels. We cannot utilize a vitamin, mineral or a fat; make or break down cells or remove wastes without enzymes. We also have digestive enzymes that break down the food we eat. We have separate enzymes for digesting fats, carbs, proteins, pectins, and phytic acid. Many people have enzyme deficiencies which makes it hard for their bodies to effectively digest certain foods or food groups. You may be lactose intolerant, fructose intolerant or unable to digest gluten.
Eating foods high in enzymes can help with this deficiency. Also taking a digestive enzyme can be very beneficial for those with enzyme deficiencies.
Fresh, locally grown foods are a great source of enzymes. Growing your own food or buying local will give you foods that have the highest enzyme activity level. Also fermented foods will provide enzymes. Foods that are cooked, processed or packaged are enzyme depleted. Foods cooked even as low as 118 degrees Fahrenheit will destroy the enzymes. And since we eat mostly cooked foods, most of us will benefit from enzyme supplementation.
I like to take a digestive enzyme with my meals to help my body more easily digest foods. The enzyme I take is a plant-based enzyme that assists in fat digestion, protein digestion, as well as helping to digest dairy. It also helps to reduce bloating and is vegan and gluten-free.
Vicky Tewes with Thistlehair Farm grows fresh, organic produce here in northern Kentucky. She also will have some seedlings available so that you can grow your own veggies at home!
If you are wondering if you could benefit from an enzyme supplementation, please reach out and let’s chat!
Sources: Elizabeth Lipski, PH. D., CCN, CHN Digestive Wellness