Why enzymes are essential to a healthy immune system

Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, June, 2006 by Ellen Cutler

What Is a Full Spectrum Digestive Enzyme?

A good-quality digestive enzyeme will contain a mix of enzymes in the following dosages: amylase (3,000 to 9,000 DU), lipase (150 to 450 LU), cellulase (200 to 600 CU), lactase (75 to 225 ALU), invertase (75 to 300 SU), peptidase (1,000 to 3,000 HUT ), alpha galactosidase (10 to 30 GAIU or 25 to 75 AGSU), glucoamylase (2 to 12 AGU), and malt diastase (75 to 300 DP). Make sure the product also contains pectinase, xylanase, hemicellulase, phytase, and/or beta-glucanase. These enzymes also help process the nutrients from foods.

Strategies for Creating a Healthy Immune System

I have developed several basic strategies over the years to help my patients maintain a healthy digestive system and a strong immune system. I will list some of the most important ones here.

Manage Your Carbohydrate Intake to Strengthen the Immune System

Blood sugar has a powerful influence on the immune system. It has been reported that decreased levels of white blood cells have been associated with the imbalances in blood sugar resulting from a diet high in refined sugars and simple carbohydrates. (6) An overgrowth of yeast and/or bacteria is another common result from eating too many sugars and starches because these micro-organisms thrive on fermented sugars and carbohydrates. (7)

We can avoid highs and lows in our energy and mood by choosing carbohydrates that encourage stable blood sugar levels. I always suggest to my clients that they avoid most grains, including wheat, and refined sugars, such as candy and cakes. Good carbohydrates include all fruits and vegetables, quinoa, buckwheat, wild rice, and corn.

One of the keys to maintaining a balanced blood sugar level is to digest the carbohydrates you eat, which can be accomplished through the use of a good digestive enzyme. Digestive enzymes will also help reduce the craving for sweets and other carbs that are not good for you.

We do not have control over many health risks, but we do have control over what we put into our mouths. I cannot say it enough: avoiding sugar and reducing or eliminating refined carbohydrates and grains improves one's health and immune function.

Improve Immune Function by Reducing Your Toxic Burden

Another important factor in creating and maintaining a healthy immune system is to repair and minimize the toxic burden that assaults our bodies every day in the modern industrialized world. When toxins assault us or build up in the body, the immune system's capacity to protect us can be overwhelmed. Food allergies are often the result of these insults.

Changing one's diet and using digestive enzymes are two great strategies to help detoxify the body and return it to a state of balance, or homeostasis. If you want to have a healthy toxin-free body, it is important to stay away from certain foods. I suggest that readers avoid the following items:

* Refined sugars and other refined carbohydrates

* Caffeine--this addictive substance inhibits the body's natural ability to detoxify.