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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