"How is it possible that I am
sick even though I eat the most organic foods, am very careful
with my diet and exercise regularly?"
The answer tends to be: ENZYME DEFICIENCY.
The following is a brief summary of several of the
more common enzyme deficiency conditions.
PROTEASE DEFICIENCY CONDITIONS: Protease digests
protein. What happens when you are protease deficient? You will
have protein deficiency symptoms, depending on how deficient you
are in protease. Protease deficiency creates alkaline excess in
This is not because protease itself is acidic; it is not.
Acidity is created through the digestion of protein with
protease. Some people may be vegetarian not by choice, but
because they are protease deficient and cannot digest protein.
Since acidity comes from the digestion of protein with protease,
protease-deficient people may have an alkaline excess which can
produce anxiety states. Often people take tranquilizers such as
Xanex and then they zombie around in a fog, when simply taking
protease can, through increased digestion of protein, acidify
them to HOMEOSTASIS with resulting relief of their anxiety.
Homeostasis is the dynamic equilibrium within the body.
Without successful physiological homeostasis (balance), in which
relatively constant conditions are maintained in the internal
environment, the body cannot survive. The maintenance of
homeostasis involves a number of factors in addition to
metabolism, such as water intake and retention, acid-base
balance, excretion of waste matter and control of body
temperature. In other words our body will do whatever it must to
stay in homeostasis.
Protein is also required to carry protein-bound calcium in the
blood. Insufficient protein-bound calcium lays the foundation for
arthritis and other calcium deficient diseases. Why? When the
blood cannot carry calcium because it lacks protein, it withdraws
the necessary calcium from the bones to maintain homeostasis.
This situation is aggravated in people who take calcium carbonate
supplements, such as Tums or other antacids, because this adds to
the alkaline stress on the blood. The blood cannot carry ionic
calcium as efficiently because ionic calcium requires a certain
level of acidity to be present.
Overly alkaline people have a multitude of calcium metabolism
problems, such as osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, gouty arthritis,
degenerative disc problems, bone spurs and related disorders such
as sciatica and ligament problems.
Because 46% of digested protein is converted to glucose upon
demand, inadequate protein digestion leads to hypoglycemia
(hypoglycemia also has other causes such as hypothyroidism and
vitamin deficiency). Symptoms include moodiness, mood swings and
irritability among many others.
Water follows protein (literally). Inadequate protein in the
blood also means inadequate water. Where does the water go? Into
the tissues after the protein! This causes tissue swelling (edema
). Water is forced into the capillaries and into the tissues by
the pressure of blood being pumped around the body. By a reverse
process, which depends on the water-drawing power of the proteins
in the blood, it is reabsorbed in the capillaries from the
tissues. These two mechanisms need to remain in balance.
Protein maldigestion leads to a toxic colon. People in this
category often have problems in the area of the descending colon
(lower right quadrant of the abdomen). This includes developing
appendicitis and even more serious problems such as mucous
colitis and even colon cancer.
Another of the most common results of protein maldigestion is
chronic ear infections and fluid in the ears, especially in
children. This is a protease calcium deficiency. To drain fluids
from the middle ear, you must increase protease in the blood.
Protease will pull water out of the middle ear, and also the
ankles, hands and feet during PMS, and put it back into the
Protease is also involved in the immune system via its action
on bacterial debris, certain viruses, and its ability to break
down circulating immune complexes. Protease has an ability to
digest unwanted debris in the blood and should be considered your
friendly blood cleanser. Protease deficient people are immune
compromised, making them susceptible to bacterial, viral and
yeast Infections and a general decrease in immunity. Protease
deficient women are predisposed towards PMS. The only people who
cannot tolerate protease are those who suffer from ulcers,
gastritis or hiatus hernias. The already damaged mucosal tissue
cannot handle the extra acidity from the digested protein AMYLASE
DEFICIENCY CONDITIONS: Amylase digests carbohydrates or
polysaccharides into smaller disaccharide units, eventually
converting them into monosaccharides such as glucose. People who
are fat intolerant (can't digest fats) often eat sugar and
carbohydrates to make up for the lack of fat in their diet. If
their diet is excessive in carbohydrates, they develop an amylase
deficiency and symptoms arising therefrom.
Amylase digests not only carbohydrates but also dead white
blood cells (pus). For example, when you are low in amylase you
are a candidate for abscesses (areas with pus but not bacteria).
if you have a toothache and are being treated with antibiotics,
but it doesn't go away, chances are you may have an abscess.
Amylase is involved in anti-inflammatory reactions such as
those caused by the release of histamine and similar substances.
The inflammatory response usually occurs in organs which are
in contact with the outside world such as the lungs and skin.
These include skin problems such as psoriasis, eczema, hives,
insect bites, allergic bee and bug stings. atopic dermatitis, and
all types of herpes. The lung problems including asthma and
emphysema require amylase plus other enzyme formulas depending on
the particular condition.
Carbohydrates require phosphorus. If excess refined
carbohydrates are consumed, a phosphorus deficiency will result.
Phosphorus deficiencies include: thick blood, tendency towards
gastritis (inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract) and stiff
joints, especially in the morning. Why stiff joints? Adequate
phosphorus prevents the deposit of calcium oxalate and calcium
carbonate in the joints. If phosphorus is deficient due to excess
consumption of sugar, joint pain results from deposits of
oxalates and carbonates Phosphorus deficiency is often
accompanied by thick blood and high blood pressure. Please do not
feel you can run out and get a phosphorus supplement to solve
this problem. Quite the contrary. The only way the calcium and
phosphorus can be balanced is by getting them both from the foods
in which they originate in a natural, balanced proportion.
LIPASE DEFICIENCY CONDITIONS: Since lipase
digests fat and fat-soluble vitamins, lipase deficient people can
be expected to have a tendency towards high cholesterol, high
triglycerides, difficulty losing weight and diabetes or a
tendency towards glucosuria (sugar in the urine without symptoms
of diabetes). The down-the-road outcome of these tendencies is
Because lipase requires the co-enzyme chloride, lipase
deficient people have a tendency towards hyphochlorhydria (low
chlorides in our electrolyte balance). This can be easily
remedied with lipase, but often nutritionists recommend using
betaine HCL, which places acidic stress on the blood, leading to
an inability to provide the alkalinity required to activate the
body's pancreatic enzymes. Lipase requires a high pH for its
activation among food enzymes. That is why fats are the hardest
of all foods to digest.
Fat intolerant people can be helped by taking a lipase
supplement, but the fat intolerance problem still exists. (i.e
.... Taking a food combination containing lipase will gradually
reduce the size of gall stones, thus reducing symptoms, but this
does not cure fat intolerance just as surgery does not cure
disease.) The lipase will help prevent an aggravated condition
ONLY if the fat intolerant person minimizes fat consumption.
Lipase deficient people have decreased cell permeability,
meaning nutrients cannot get in and the waste cannot get out of
the cell. For example, diabetics are lipase deficient and cannot
get glucose into their cells, and wastes or unwanted substances
cannot get out. People with 'hidden viruses" that are often
diagnosed with "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome" also fall
into this category. Lipase modulates cell permeability so that
nutrients can enter and wastes can exit. Of course, waste-eating
enzymes (such as protease) must be taken to help cleanse the
blood of the unwanted debris.
A common symptom of lipase deficiency is muscle spasms. This
is not the "muscle cramp" (tetany) resulting from low
ionized blood calcium. It commonly occurs as trigger point pain
in the muscles across the upper shoulders, but it can occur in
other muscles, such as those in the neck or anywhere in the small
or large intestines including the muscles of the rectal tissues.
If chronic muscle spasms keep you going back to a chiropractor,
osteopath or acupuncturist for repeated adjustments or therapy,
try adding some lipase to your diet. It may help you hold your
People with "spastic colon" may be lipase deficient.
They are given toxic muscle relaxant drugs to control the
symptoms, but what they really need is a simple food enzyme
The condition of vertigo, or labrynthis, also called Meniere's
Disease (dizziness aggravated by movement such as walking or
driving), can result from lipase deficiency. A nutritionist saw
this condition develop suddenly in a young man after the typical
American fat challenge test - a meal which consisted of a fried
fish sandwich with tartar sauce, double cheeseburger plus a bag
of french fries. The dizziness was accompanied by severe nausea
and vomiting which was aggravated by movement. This condition
lasted several days. Lipase can relieve a condition like this,
often within minutes.
The condition of menopause is often associated with lipase
deficiency because lipase addresses the gonadal tissue. However,
PMS is more often associated with protease deficiency.
CELLULASE DEFICIENCY CONDITIONS: Our body
makes no cellulase at all, whereas our pancreas produces enzymes
similar to protease, amylase and lipase. They are similar, but
not identical, because ONLY FOOD ENZYMES WORK IN THE STOMACH.
Pancreatic enzymes work in the duodenum when it is at the right
alkaline pH (third part of digestion).
Because our bodies do not make cellulase, this food enzyme is
essential. We must eat it on a daily basis. Remember, ONLY RAW
FOODS contain cellulase. Of all the enzymes, this deficiency
carries with it the most categories of problems.
Cellulase deficiency is a malabsorption syndrome (impaired
absorption of nutrients, vitamins, or minerals from the diet by
the lining of the small intestine) with its many symptoms of
lower abdominal gas, pain, bloating and problems associated with
the jejunum and pancreas. Other conditions associated with
cellulose deficiency include nervous system conditions such as
Bell's Palsy, Tic and facial neuralgia, all of which respond
remarkably to cellulase. Certain toxic conditions, such as
chemicals, drugs and toxic metals, including silver amalgam
fillings (mercury in the teeth) are greatly alleviated with
cellulase. This also includes acute food allergies. People who
have malabsorption syndrome and cellulose deficiency have a
tendency toward sugar and/or gluten intolerance.
SUCROSE INTOLERANCE: This condition exists
when people cannot split the sucrose disaccharide into its twin
partners, two units of glucose. Glucose is a primary brain food
so expect mental and emotional problems in people who cannot get
glucose into the brain. These symptoms include the whole gamut
from depression and moodiness to panic attacks, manic and
schizophrenic behavior and severe mood swings, which often lead
to toxic behavior- modifying drugs.
Seizures, cranial problems and headaches in sucrose intolerant
people have been observed, not to mention the symptoms of
B-vitamin deficiency resulting from the use of refined white
sugar. One researcher has observed almost a universal intolerance
syndrome among childhood asthmatics. Whether from genetic
intolerance or over consumption, the symptoms are the same.
Do not be fooled by thinking that refined white sugar is the
only culprit and that other synthetic sugars are okay. Many
people do not think that such synthetic sugars as corn syrup,
fructose, Nutrasweet, saccharin, Sorbital and Mannitol are
However, severe health problems have occurred from one or all
of these as well.
LACTOSE INTOLERANCE: People who are
intolerant of lactose also have classic symptoms which include
abdominal cramps and diarrhea. Other allergic symptoms have been
recorded, not the least of which was asthma, from the ingestion
of lactose-containing products. You should know that the FDA
allows the addition of lactose as a food additive without
labeling. Do not think that your children are safe if they are
lactose intolerant just because they do not drink milk.
GLUTEN INTOLERANCE: Gluten intolerance is
associated with Celiac Disease and Malabsorption Syndrome. It is
also associated with Crohn's Disease. The insidious thing about
gluten intolerance is that it creates a sugar intolerance because
when gluten intolerant people eat food containing gluten, the
brush border cells of the jejunum are injured and thus unable to
secrete the disaccharidases (sucrose, lactase and maltose)
leading to sugar intolerance. Double Trouble! Most gluten
intolerant individuals usually do not need to abstain from all
the gluten grains (wheat, oats, rye and barley). However,
sometimes it is a must.