Metabolic Enzymes

In the article 'what are enzymes', we learned that enzymes are proteins that function as 'catalysts' in the body. All biochemical reactions within the human body, including energy production, metabolism, reproduction, the immune system, and the digestive system utilize enzymes. There are thousands of different enzymes that regulate bodily functions and these body functions would not be possible were it not for enzymes. Simply put, without enzymes, life could not exist.

We also learned that enzymes could be grouped into three categories: metabolic enzymes, digestive enzymes and food enzymes. This week's article is dedicated to the topic of metabolic enzymes - the enzymes that work within the cells to regulate activities such as detoxification, nerve function, muscle contraction and energy production.

You can think of these enzymes as the body's work force. Each of these enzyme "workers" is 'trained' to perform a specific function. Every organ and tissue has its own particular metabolic enzymes to do specialized work. The heart has special enzymes to ensure that the heart contracts to send oxygenated blood to all the tissues. The nerves have specialized enzymes to ensure that the signals are conducted to each part of the body. The eye has specialized enzymes that allow you to see the wonderful colors, shapes and scenery in our world. These enzymes are made within the body based on the unique DNA found in each cell type. Without these enzymes cell functions could not continue.

Literally, thousands of enzymes are required to carry on the work of the body, to repair damage and to heal the body in disease or injury. Although we still have not identified all of the enzymes that make life possible, scientists have now identified more than 5,000 metabolic enzymes.

Since good health depends on these thousands of enzymes doing their job, we must be sure that nothing interferes with the body making enough of them. Poor nutrition and toxins in the environment are the most common things that interfere with enzyme function. Eating a healthy diet and minimizing exposure to toxins is the first step in ensuring that the body can make enough enzymes.

Equally as important as making sure there is no interference is ensuring that these enzymes get the help they need to function optimally. This help comes from vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that act as co-enzymes or 'helper' enzymes (also referred to as co-factors). Without these co-factor 'helpers', enzyme activity is not optimized and in some cases the enzymes are not able to perform their job at all.

Although all aspects of health and life depend on the proper functioning of the body's metabolic enzymes, there is one area of health that the vital importance of enzymes is typically ignored. That area is weight loss. At a time when paying attention to your body's metabolic enzymes is critically important, most people are totally unaware of the effect their diet is having on the enzyme systems of the body (also known as metabolism).

Most diets do not provide enough of the essential nutrients required to keep the body's metabolic systems running at optimum levels. By following a diet that is lacking in these essential nutrients, the body is forced to slow metabolism, find sources of nutrients elsewhere (usually by 'devouring' lean muscle) and the result is usually fatigue, irritability, reduction in lean mass and weight loss eventually comes to a halt. Then when a 'normal' diet is resumed, the weight that was lost is usually regained.

On the other hand, if you nourish your body and your body's enzymes, you can optimize your metabolism. Remember that the faster your metabolic enzymes work, the more calories you burn and the faster your metabolism. The only way to both lose weight and maximize your body's metabolic enzyme activity is to follow a diet that:

1- Reduces your calorie intake. You can't ignore the dieting basics of the calorie equation. If you consume fewer calories than you burn, you lose weight. If you consume more calories than you burn, you gain weight.

2- Provides the body with nutrients it needs to keep its enzyme systems running.

The researchers at Infinity2 have found a way to do just that. Their Enzyme Diet superfood delivers dense, whole-food nutrition to the cellular level of your body using the only guaranteed nutrient delivery system in the world. This meal replacement shake is specially formulated to support the body's metabolism during weight loss by providing the body with all the minerals, amino acids, enzymes, carbohydrates, protein, fatty acids, fiber, phytonutrients and naturally occurring vitamins it needs.

 

 

 

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