There are 4 major enzymes:
Amylase - needed to break down starches
Lipase - needed to break down fats
Protease - needed to break down protein
Cellulase - needed to break down cellulose
By now you could probably guess that without each of these enzymes in their correct
proportions we would fail to function. Remember, everything that our bodies ingest,
no matter how large or small, it must either assimilate or eliminate. Both processes
are controlled directly through our enzymatic pathways.
Enzymes are found in all living things. Enzymes though, are destroyed by the chemicals
and the temperatures that we use to process, clean and cook our foods. Our best
sources of enzymes are fresh, raw vegetables that have not yet been tampered with.
In addition to enzymes, in order to aid in the digestion of our foods we must also
consume a certain amount of plain fresh water. Although this is essential to our
bodies functions, there's a trick to this. We cannot consume large amounts of
water with our foods, because the water itself tends to dilute the enzymes in our
digestive tracts. So to maximize the benefits of enzymes and water, the consumption
of water is best done between meals and in the following manner...
WATER
We all know how great an ice cold glass of water feels and tastes on a hot day.
But do you realize how absolutely important plain, clean water is to your daily
health? Water is a rather simple organic compound composed of two parts hydrogen
and one part oxygen. It is tasteless, odorless and clear, yet no living organism
or chemical reaction can survive for more than 72 hours without a constant supply
of this overlooked miracle of nature.
The human body is 70% water. It can, through stress or starvation, become depleted
of 50% of its carbohydrate, fat and protein stores before death or disease are just
around the corner. But, if the human body is not supplied with ample water, and
consequently it loses 20% of its stores then delirium and death are immanent.
Your personal requirements for water will vary with your weight, physical activity
and stage of life. Under normal environmental conditions, a physically active adult
body requires approximately two-thirds of an ounce of water per pound of body weight.
This adds up to about 8-10 glasses of water per day for an average size female,
and 10-12 glasses for an average size male. To be more specific body/water balance
is maintained when the input of water matches the output of body fluids. The main
avenue for water loss is through the urinary tract, but the body also excretes water
through feces, exhaled air and sweat.
As stated earlier water comprises over 70 percent of body weight in humans. It is
stored in various areas within the body. We will focus on only two of those areas,
intercellular and intra vascular.
Intercellular water if found around body cells and is responsible for the health
of the cells that it protects. Unfortunately, it is also the main component of subcutaneous
water deposits. This is the water that accumulates between a person's muscle
and skin that promotes the "bloated" appearance we all dread.
The term intra vascular, when used here, refers to the water within the veins that
regulates our blood pressure as well as other things. When the body is deprived
of water for an extended period of time, it compensates for this disturbance by
moving the water from one storage site to another, thus maintaining an equal balance
of water everywhere.