This compilation of information is Copyright 2005 by http://www.organicgreens.us and Loring Windblad. The references for this series of articles is the author's personal knowledge and experience, the book "Enzymes for Autism and other Nurological Conditions" and the web site enzymestuff dot com. This article may be freely copied and used on other web sites only if it is copied complete with all links and text, including this header, intact and unchanged except for minor improvements such as misspellings and typos.

Where to enzymes come from?

Enzymes exist in all raw food. All raw foods, including meats, have some enzyme activity. For example, green bananas have amylase, an enzyme that breaks down starch to glucose. In a number of days, the amylase converts the raw starch of the banana to sugar, which is why darkened bananas are so much sweeter tasting. Kiwis have an abundance of a protease known as actinidin, which is why you cannot make jello with fresh kiwis. The protease degrades gelatin protein such that it cannot 'harden' or set.

Keep in mind that we need to have up to four (4) pounds of enzymes, in at least a ratio of 3:1 (good to bad), in our "guts" in order to facilitate the proper breakdown of food as it passes through our system.

Where do enzymes go – what happens to them?

Cooking or other types of processing destroys enzyme activity. This is the basis for 'canning' of vegetables – the heat destroys the enzymes and this preserves the food. Food enzymes can survive the pH of the stomach (about 4.5 to 5.5) for some time and so can contribute to the digestion of food while in the stomach. Animals, including humans, produce the enzymes they need from amino acids. The more raw food you eat, the less digestive enzymes your body needs to produce. You can also take enzyme supplements, which come from animals, plants or microorganisms. Your body may recycle digestive enzymes from any source until they wear out. Enzymes in circulation perform many other tasks that assist in restoring and maintaining good health. Eventually, when these enzymes wear out, other enzymes break them down and the body uses the component amino acids for other purposes. They may also be excreted.

Natural "greens" products are created to supplement that process, the process of breaking down food into the basic nutritional units to provide our bodies with essential nourishment. There are several different "Greens" products on the market specifically to help the digestive process. One of these supplements is Bio88+ (Plus), a pure enzyme product designed specifically to aid in digestion.

The producers of Bio88+ (Plus) use only the very finest "certified" organic components in the making of their highly nutritious food product. In itself it provides virtually all of the added nutrition, in the form of vitamins and minerals, that you need in your diet in order to maintain excellent health. Bio88+ (Plus) is produced in a government supervised laboratory using an ancient Native North American fermentation process. Feel free to contact the author by email for additional information.

Our next article, Part IV, will deal with why you would want an enzyme product as a nutritional or dietary supplement.

Disclaimer: These articles in no way should be taken as medical advice on any product or condition, nor do they constitute in any way medical advice endorsing any specific product, specific result, nor any possible cure for any condition or problem. They are meant as a source of information upon which you may base your decision as to whether or not you should begin using a greens product as a dietary supplement. If in doubt, or if you have questions, you should consult your physician and, if possible, consult a second physician for a possible different opinion. The author bears no responsibility for your decisions nor for the outcome of your actions based upon those decisions.

About the Author
Loring Windblad has studied nutrition and exercise for more than 40 years, is a published author and freelance writer. His latest business endeavor is at
http://www.organicgreens.us