Every chemical reaction within the body cells is carried out with the help of enzymes. In a sense they represent the cell's "life force". If enzymes are in short supply or are weakened, they won't be able to carry out their duties fully and the cell's health would be compromised as would the health of the body as a whole.



Enzyme Pioneer - Edward Howell PhD

Dr Howell (1898 - 1988) believed that we can become deficient in enzymes and that this can lead to degenerative diseases. His research suggested that at birth we have an enzyme potential which has to last our whole lives. They need to be preserved by eating food that still contains its enzymes, not wasted on enzyme deficient food that forces the metabolic enzymes that run our bodies to be diverted to digesting food.

The Fatal Process

Howell used this term to describe cooking. All enzymes are killed off at high temperatures so most cooking methods would kill off the enzymes.

Raw Foods and Fasting

Raw food therapies have a long tradition in some parts of Europe where they are used as a therapeutic tool to overcome health problems. Raw foods contain enzymes, preserving the enzyme potential as does fasting to an even greater extent. Metabolic enzymes are now able to focus on the job of healing the body.

Although an all raw diet would seem the best type of diet to follow, Howell thought this would be unpalatable to most people and suggested that with cooked food, digestive enzyme supplements could be taken to good effect.

I would suggest the following to ease the burden on the digestive system and indeed on the rest of the body which has to assimilate and detoxify what has been eaten:

Do not overeat. Just eat enough to satisfy you.

Eat more raw fruits and raw vegetables. Eat less cooked food and foods that have been refined and stripped of their enzymes.

Avoid foods which you like but you know don't agree with your digestive system.

Consider combining your foods so that concentrated starches and proteins don't mix at the same meal. This takes away much of the effort of digestion.

Drink plenty of water. Ideally drink half a pint of water about half and hour before meals. Water is important in the digestive process and helps metabolic enzymes function more efficiently.

By taking all these measures, enzymes will be preserved, the digestive system will have a great load taken off it, and every cell in the body will have its burden eased.