February 9, 2007

Enzymes

In lieu of our recent newsletter and topic of the Immune system, it seems like a good time to address enzymes. We can all think back to Chemistry class and recall those words ending in –ase, which classifies a substance as an Enzyme. Once consumed, food obviously must be digested. The first step in this process is mastication, or chewing, with which we humans should do a lot. However, our four-pawed friends don’t engage in much chewing; it’s more of a gulping act and straight down the hatch! Therefore, they have stronger and more powerful saliva enzymes. However, we should provide as many fresh, minimally processed foods as possible, to help aid in digestion.

Enzymes break down foods to a state that the nutrients can be absorbed into and transported by the blood stream to all parts of the body. Protease might be the most important enzyme to augment your companion’s diet, as it is responsible for the break down of proteins in meat, eggs, and nuts (dogs and especially cats are meat eaters and should not be eating a diet laden with grains). Amylase breaks down carbohydrates and starches; and more specifically, diastase is responsible for the vegetable starches.

Our body’s cells are programmed to direct each nutrient to combine and interact with other nutrients (Enzymes) and chemicals which are used to build and repair the body’s cells, bones, tissue, and organs. This process is called metabolism. Each metabolic reaction begins with, is controlled, and terminated by Enzymes. Recently, I heard from Laurette, who took an Herbal nutrition class that:

Enzymes are G.O.D. – they are Generators, Operators and Destroyers.

Without enzymes, no metabolic activity will occur. A body that does not consistently and efficiently metabolize the food nutrients essential for life will get sick more often, with many illnesses being the result of a dietary problem, thus causing toxemia inside of the body.

All of our body system’s are connected, and We Are What We Eat, period! 80% of our Immune system lies in our digestive tract. If one were to pose the problem to a Yogi on difficulties with meditating, their first question would be ‘How well is your digestive system working?’

We load our bodies up with heavily-processed food, sugars, alcohol, stress, not to mention environmental toxins that are difficult to avoid. Besides alcohol and sugar, our companions’ systems are just as taxed.

The Honest Kitchen produces a line of all natural pet food, using dehydration to preserve the nutrition of its raw ingredients. These ingredients are 100% human grade and designed to provide a more fresh, wholesome and nutritious diet to our four-footed friends. Our foods, being minimally processed have active enzymes. That being said, it is a wise choice to supplement your friend’s diet with additional digestive enzymes during the transition of a dry food (kibble) diet to The Honest Kitchen, or other fresh food diet. Obviously, our diets are also free of Red Flag substances, such as Wheat, Corn, Soy, Rice and beet pulp. There are no byproducts, fillers, artificial preservatives, colors or flavors of any kind. Our food, being minimally processed is much easier for pawed-friends to digest.

So…ask your local pet supply store about digestive enzymes, or visit the Whole Body department of Whole Foods…and get your four-footed friends’ on some Elemental Natural Zesty Youthful Motivating Stimulation from E.N.Z.Y.M.E.S.!

Read on to learn more about how enzymes can provide relief for health ailments and allergies:

Note: Animal-derived enzymes will work in only one area of the digestive system, while plant and microbial enzymes work throughout the whole system

Enzymes help with the following: