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What do Plant Enzymes do? 

Along with vitamins and minerals, enzymes occur in food that is in a natural state. All raw food contains the proper types and proportion of enzymes necessary to digest itself. This occurs in our stomach when the food is eaten or in nature as the food ripens.

The type (protein, sugar, starch, fat) and amount (caloric value) of the major components present in the food determine the type and amount of the various enzymes found in the food. For example, olives and bananas are higher in fat and lipase, while peaches are higher in carbohydrate and amylase.

Protein, carbohydrates, fat, and fiber are building blocks but they do not possess the energy (capacity to do work) necessary for biochemical reactions. Only enzymes can furnish this energy. When raw food is eaten, chewing ruptures the cell membrane and releases the indigenous food enzymes. Once liberated the enzymes begin to digest food, but their action is very limited in the foods they can work on.

Four plant enzyme groups exist:

  • Proteases - break long protein chains into smaller amino acid chains and eventually into single amino acids
  • Amylases - reduce polysaccharides to disaccharides: lactose, maltose, and sucrose
  • Lipases - break triglycerides into individual fatty acids and glycerol
  • Cellulases - digest specific carbohydrate bonds found in fiber

Besides needing a substrate to "work" on, enzymes require heat, proper pH and moisture in order to activate.

Heat: All enzymes work within limited temperature ranges. The optimal temperature range for most plant enzymes is 92°F to 104°F, which means that these enzymes work best at body temperature. However, enzymes cannot tolerate the high temperatures used in cooking, baking, microwaving, canning, and pasteurizing. These methods all produce heat of 118°F or higher which destroys the enzymes.

Proper pH: Plant enzymes work in a very broad pH range, 3.0 to 9.0, which coincides very nicely with the human gastrointestinal tract. This is an important factor to remember when comparing plant enzymes with the body's own digestive enzymes or with supplemental animal enzymes, such as pancreatin. Plant enzymes work in both the stomach and intestines. Pancreatic enzymes, whether produced by the body or provided as a dietary supplement, only work in the small intestine.

Moisture: Plant enzymes must have moisture in order to perform their digestive function. Quite simply, digestion is the process of breaking molecules apart with the addition of water hydrolysis. The body satisfies this need with saliva. Conversely, plant and animal cells use the process of condensation—the removal of water—to form the long molecular chains that foods are composed of.

Dr. Darrell Swolensky
858 S. Boulder Highway
Henderson, NV 89015-7564
(702) 565-7474
www.nevadachiro.com
www.henderson.wellnessone.net
www.drdsblog.info

Click here to Contact our Henderson Office 


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It all started when I was driving and a truck ran a stop sign hitting the drivers side door of my car. I had several broken ribs, a bruised lung, broken clavicle and extensive bruising. I guess it could have been much worse. What I didn’t expect was the pain would go on long after the bruises and bones healed. 

Prescription medication helped during the healing process with pain. But once I went back to work they were way to strong. I thought the neck pain and headaches would eventually go away. But in fact, it got worse with time.

Trying to seek relief, I saw doctor after doctor. I received test after test. That lasted for 4 years! I had, x-rays, EMGs, MRIs. The doctors admitted there was something wrong, but said it shouldn’t be causing all the neck pain, headaches, or inability to turn my head to the left. In the end I was told it was something I’d just have to live with. I thought NO WAY!

Almost 5 ½ years after the accident, I got a flyer from a crusader, disguised as a chiropractor telling me about chiropractic care. I set up an appointment, received a thorough evaluation and he told me he could help. Finally! Someone who knew what to do!

I felt immediate relief after the first treatment! I slept through the night for the first time in years. My headaches were gone by the second treatment. I can now turn my head without any pain. All thanks to Dr. Swolensky.
Laurie A. Henderson, NV
 

I came to see Dr. Swolensky after witnessing the amazing results my aunt had in his office. I had no control of my life. I was a ‘tripping zombie’. 
I suffered from severe migraine headaches, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis and spent most of the day in bed. Life was really non-existent for me.
 

In just 7 weeks I have gone from 31 different pills to 4. I have 90% less pain. I also lost 20lbs in those 7 weeks.

I am a totally and completely different person. It’s like a night and day difference. 
Lynn R. Henderson, NV