The Healing Power of Food and Enzymes
Keith Giaquinto
The health of this country on a whole seems to be getting worse as healthcare costs steadily rise. I believe a big part of that is because of our food supply. We no longer eat whole food, but merely food-like substances, GMOs, and chemicals. Without eating whole foods, this poor health trend will continue. Let's get back to the basics of why whole foods are important.
In my last article, I talked about the important difference between live and dead foods, and how enzymes played a key role in them. Enzymes are the workers of the body. They simply get work done. Proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals are the raw materials the body needs for growth, repair, maintaining health, and energy production, but these materials are not going to build healthy cells and tissues. You need the workers—the enzymes—to do the job. "In both maintaining health and in healing, enzymes and only enzymes actually do the work."1
What is food? Food is material that contains protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and enzymes. An organism consumes this material for growth, repair, maintaining health, and production of energy.
• Protein is used for growth, repair, formation of certain substances (hormones, antibodies, enzymes), acid-base balance, heat, and energy production. Protein deficiencies can result in cold hands and feet, TMJ problems, chronic back problems, fatigue, and edema.2
• Fats are used for energy, carriers for fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K), formation of certain hormones, and the growth and health of our skin. Fat deficiencies can result in skin problems, such as eczema and psoriasis, dry skin, hair loss, and
difficulties with fertility.
• Carbohydrates are used for the production of energy and muscle exertion. Carbohydrate deficiencies can result in hypoglycemia, fatigue, electrolyte and water imbalance, dry eyes or mouth, and the inability to relax.
• Vitamins are essential organic substances found in all living things, plants, and animals. The body cannot make most of the vitamins it needs to be healthy, so they must be supplied by our diet. Acute vitamin deficiencies are well documented.
• Minerals are used by the body to regulate processes such as maintaining acid-base balance, osmotic pressure, and proper nerve and muscle contraction, just to name a few. Mineral deficiencies are also well documented.3
Enzymes are protein molecules that are found in all living things. They are composed of two parts: protein and a coenzyme that is usually a vitamin or
mineral. As the essence of life, enzymes are the driving force behind every chemical reaction that takes place in the body. Without enzymes, we would not be alive. Enzyme deficiencies can result in digestive problems, weakened immunity, chronic inflammation, and disease.
Your patients who eat a clean, balanced, wholefood diet, such as one that includes a lot of raw, organic fruits and vegetables, pasture-raised chicken and turkey, grass-fed beef, and wild-caught fish, may heal more quickly. When a patient's diet consists of food-like substances, GMOs, and chemicals, the cells and tissues of the body don't get the raw materials they need to function normally and remain damaged, so the symptoms will persist. It is how the body works.
One major pitfall to eating a balanced whole-food diet can be a weakened digestive system due to enzyme deficiencies. I see patients who eat a clean diet and exercise regularly, but they still have health problems. It is not a question of their lifestyle, but a question of how their bodies are functioning, or I should say not functioning. Recommending food enzyme supplements can support normal digestion, support a healthy inflammatory response, and deliver
the raw materials from a whole-food diet to the cells and tissues that need it to heal.
True health really does start in the kitchen and with what you put in your mouth. Just make sure that your body can properly digest and absorb the nutrients from the foods you are eating. Food enzymes can easily support good health.
References:
1. Howell, Dr. Edward, Enzyme Nutrition. USA, Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data, 1985. Print.
2. Loomis, Dr. Howard F., Enzymes: The Key to Health. Madison, 21st Century Nutrition Publishing, 1999. Print.
3. Marz, Russell B., Medical Nutrition From Marz. Portland, Omni-Press, 2002, Print.
Dr. Keith Giaquinto has more than 12 years of clinical experience as a chiropractor and internal health specialist. He frequently lectures to companies and groups in his community on topics of health and wellness. He has created a new patient lecture system for growing your practice through lecturing. You can contact him at www.drkeithgiaquinto.com
