I have been discussing inflammation and anti-inflammatory essential fatty acids and spices for the treatment of inflammation for the last several weeks. If I am addressing and suggesting such spices, resins, gum, herbs and foods, it is because of their inherent anti-inflammatory and healing characteristics, but there are more like myrrh, Aloe vera, aromatic seeds (cumin, anise, star anise, caraway, fennel, fenugreek, etc…), fruits, vegetables, leafy greens (alpha alpha, dandelion, parsley, spinach, rucola,), barley and wheat grasses, seaweed (kelp, micro-algae), red rice yeast, mushrooms and enzymes. So that you will not be restricted to one or the other; you have plenty of choices and alternatives, but when several are used simultaneously for therapy, their synergy can make them potent remedies and detoxifiers in both their dietary and supplementary forms.

Some of them are so powerful that the pharmaceutical industry includes them in the drugs to become the active ingredients such as aged star anise in Tamiflu, the vaccine that weakens the swine flu virus. As for Lipitor, the statin that lowers cholesterol, it includes red rice yeast part of its composition. While the drug (Lipitor), a lifetime treatment, costs the patient an arm and a leg, Traditional Chinese medicine used affordable red rice yeast for hundreds years to counteract inflammation and bolster immunity.

Going back to our subject, today I chose to explore other important nutrients, not much discussed and not given their dues in mainstream medicine. These are enzymes, which are absolutely essential to reduce inflammation and intestinal disorders; trigger certain nutrient production; and assist in the process of nutrient assimilation. Let us now explain what enzymes are and what are their functions in the digestive tract, cells and the rest of the body.

Enzymes are amino acids that are necessary components of our body structure, organs and systems alike. These protein molecules are essential to enzymatic activities, breaking down food, signaling between cells and immune responses. They are essential to life as they are catalysts to many chemical reactions in the systems and other parts of the body. Enzymes are needed to breakdown food into tiny particles in order to facilitate nutrient absorption. For example, metabolic enzymes are required to produce energy; some detoxify organs and systems; different ones boost the immune system; and others do various intricate functions of the body. Enzymes come in numerous types, but I selected a few to discuss now.

Plant-derived enzymes are found in raw or lightly cooked vegetables and fresh fruits. Plant enzymatic supplements usually come from two kinds of fruits. Bromelain are enzymes that are extracted from the stems of the pineapple fruit to break down proteins into amino acids for better assimilation. As for papain, it comes from unripe papaya; this type breaks down proteins, fats and carbohydrates. Its extract is used to tenderize meat. Both types of enzymes have anti-inflammatory actions in the body as well. Enzymes like bromelain not only break down proteins, but also have anti-inflammatory and blood thinning action when taken in between the meals. Both digestive amino acids are more effective taken on an empty stomach.

Other enzymes are called microbial or fungal enzymes, which are produced through yeast fermentation. These should be purified before preparation. They are used to promote a more functional digestive system. They come in three categories: protease, lipase and amylase. Protease breaks down protein molecules for easier absorption; lipase targets fats; and amylase acts on carbohydrates to convert them into simpler and more bioavailable forms of sugar.

The third type of enzymes, which are pancreatic enzymes, comes from animal organs. It is extracted from the pancreas of sheep or pig. Trypsin and chymotrypsin are animal type of enzymes. They are digestive to proteins and also effective on inflammation, infections, arthritis, cancer and more.

Protease enzymes, which should be taken in between meals, produce healing effects on such disorders as autoimmune disorders, yeast infections, allergies, digestive problems, infections and joint and injury inflammation. Caution, this type can irritate the stomach of patients with gastric ulcers. Reactions like nausea, diarrhea and bloating may appear with its use at first, but then the system starts adjusting to it. Individuals on blood thinning medications should consult their physicians before taking protease enzymes.

For such disorders as the inability to digest food proteins, gut bacterial infections and leaky gut syndrome, digestive enzymes are required to break down proteins and food particles to prevent inflammation, indigestion and suffering. Enzymes have other important functions. They not only boost the immune system, but also improve communication between cells and help shut down certain genes, which turn on inflammation.

Why do we need digestive enzymes in treating inflammation? Because, most of immune cell concentration is located in the gastrointestinal tract, co-existing and interacting with our internal digestive enzymes and intestinal microflora (“healthy” bacteria). Supplements of digestive enzymes can be very beneficial when an individual is suffering from nutrient deficiencies, convalescing after surgery or infection, with a chronic disorder and after long-term antibiotic or drug treatment or chemotherapy. They also help act against diarrhea and yeast and bacterial infections.

There are more anti-inflammatory natural remedies coming from simple foods. Didn’t Hippocrates state centuries ago, “Let thy food be thy medicine”? Your choice pool is so wide, varied and effective. I will leave you to make your selection since I have already covered quite a number of them. Next time, I shall discuss other complementary treatments like vegetables, greens, wheat and barley grasses, seaweed and microalgae, which benefit health and energy by hushing inflammation, helping heal injuries and infections, stimulating energy and re-enforcing the immune responses to prevent disease and promote health.

P.S. Most of the information in my previous and last articles on inflammation come from the below books and more, Internet and other sources.

“The Inflammation Syndrome,” an interesting simplified book written by Jack Challem, the publisher and editor of the newsletter, The Nutrition Reporter

Dr. Sears book, The Anti-inflammation Zone Diet

N.B.: Individuals with medical conditions or on medication should consult their physicians when they decide to introduce anything new in their diet even if it is natural.

To read previous Health Solutions articles, visit: www.arabnews.com/life.style