Today, most health-conscious people recognize that the modern diet doesn’t provide all the necessary nutrients needed by our bodies - and mind - and seek to redress this shortage through vitamin supplements.

Unfortunately, most don’t give their enzyme intake much attention. 

Yet, without adequate enzymes in our bodies, we are prone to a host of degenerative diseases - including cancer and organ failure. 

Enzymes serve as the labour force to perform every single function required for our daily activities and are vital in keeping us alive. 

They boost our immune system, cleanse our bodies of toxins, are anti-inflammatory and are essential for overall balance in our body system. 

The immune system depends heavily on enzymes to conduct its protective function. 

In addition, we require enzymes, not only to eat, digest and absorb our nutrients, but also to see, hear, smell, taste, breathe and move. 

Enzymes are needed for our blood and coagulation system, cardiovascular functions, kidneys, liver, elimination of toxic products, excretion, reproduction, etc. They are required even to think, dream or for sexual excitement. 

When enzyme activity stops, life stops and the person or organism dies. 

There are two major enzymes systems in the human body. There are about 3000 known enzymes and they are responsible for all the function of every organ system in our bodies. 

One is digestive and the other is metabolic. 

The digestive enzymes help break down all of the food that we eat so that it can be absorbed by the body. 

The metabolic enzymes help to run all the systems of the body from the respiratory system to the nervous system. 

Ideally, you should eat everything raw, preferable organic. 

As raw food contains all the necessary enzymes to digest the food, our body does not have to deplete its organs of their necessary enzymes. And thus our body stays healthy. 

But in this modern age, who can eat everything raw? 

Make sure you eat enough raw food, but for the rest, you need to supplement cooked or baked food with enzyme supplements. 

There are many enzyme supplements on the market, but you should look for 100 percent vegetable products that use raw, organic ingredients - vegetables, fruits, grains, algae, beans and wild grass. 

Indeed, read the product leaflets carefully to see if they describe the manufacturing process. 

What to watch for?

Make sure no additives such as artificial flavours, colouring or preservatives are used. 

Look to see if only chlorine-free water is used on process. 

Fermentation should be done naturally and extracts made via osmotic pressure should be preserved in the original vegetal fluid to ensure the product is not in any way compromised. 

Modern living, with environmental pollution, fast food devoid of most nutrients and worse still, packed with artificial additives, plus constant stress, makes keeping healthy a real challenge. 

But it is a challenge we need to face and surmount. 

Remember: the humble enzyme - the forgotten nutrient - is the key to good health.

Extract from Healthy Times Digest.

www.healthytimes.com.sg