Enzymes... What's the big deal?

So, you’ve heard us talking up a storm about enzymes. Cooking food above 118 degrees burns off the enzymes found in the food… but so what??

What is an enzyme?

Enzymes are biological molecules that catalyze the chemical reactions happening in our bodies. All enzymes are proteins. While biological chemical reactions can occur without enzymes, enzymes are required in order for the chemical reactions to occur at rates sufficient for life.

How do enzymes work?

Enzymes lower the activation energy required for a chemical reaction to occur, thus significantly increasing the reaction rate. (“Activation energy is the energy that must be overcome in order for a chemical reaction to occur.” Wikipedia) A chemical reaction catalyzed by an enzyme reacts at a rate millions of times faster than it would react without the enzymes. For example, you can push a car without gas in it, but you will only be able to move the car so fast. However, if you put gas in the car, (like catalyzing the reaction with an enzyme), the car will move much faster and much easier.

Why do we need enzymes?

Enzymes are vital for our metabolisms and for digesting food. The enzymes found in food help to begin the digestion process, and reduce the body’s need to produce such enzymes itself. Enzymes are vital in breaking down proteins, fat and carbohydrates. Without these enzymes, even the most nutritious of foods are worthless to the body. Digestive enzymes are secreted from the pancreas, so diets that contain predominantly cooked foods put a great strain on the pancreas, depleting the organ of its reserves.

Why does all this matter?

In order to make sure that you’re consuming enough enzymes necessary for digestion, eat more raw food! Making sure you are consuming the enzymes necessary for digestion ensures that you will not be depleting your natural enzyme reserves.