The Important Role of Enzymes
We have seen that many factors are involved in the development of MCS. But one factor is very significant indeed. What is that key factor? The function of enzymes.
Enzymes are special proteins that affect changes in the body. You are familiar with their actions, even if they do not immediately come to mind. Are you familiar with the way that milk is changed to make cheese? The way that grapes are broken down to make wine? The way that yeast is used to effect a change in gluten? Then you are familiar with enzymes and their actions, because enzymes initiate each of those changes, and many, many more.
Life cannot exist without the action of enzymes. The human body contains over 3,000 known enzymes (some sources are now saying as high as 8,000!), and they are busy every second of every day of our lives! Life stops when the action of enzymes critical to life are killed, as they are when the body temperature goes extremely high, or inactivated, as they are when the body temperature goes extremely low.
When the body encounters a toxin, certain enzymes are called upon to initiate changes that enable the body to break down the toxic substance into smaller compounds the body can handle harmlessly. In fact, when we speak of a snake or an insect as being poisonous, it simply means that the human body either has no enzymes capable of breaking down the venom of the said creature, or that the venom has an enzyme-inhibiting effect on the body, which may lead to death. But an antivenin may be given which can break down the toxic material for us.
And so it is with chemical sensitivities--When necessary enzymes cannot be produced or utilized in a person's body, then many chemicals harmless to most persons become toxic to that individual to one degree or another. But what goes wrong to begin with? Why do enzymes fail to meet the challenges of the chemically-sensitive individual?
While enzymes are not generally used up or consumed, they can be destroyed or inactivated. Toxins or heat can destroy enzymes, and cold temperatures can inactivate them. Many enzymes require certain nutrients to function properly. So persons who are lacking in key nutrients, suffer from low-body temperature, or have been exposed to excessive toxins may be operating with a shortage of certain key enzymes. Unfortunately, a snowball effect occurs whenever an enzyme group is depleted. Without the necessary means to break down certain toxins, the toxins circulate and more damage is done to other enzyme groups, which allow further destruction of other enzymes and increasing intolerance to substances around us. Under such conditions, after being worn down little by little, any exposure to a substance not tolerated can be the straw that breaks the camel's back.
Once enzymes or enzyme groups have been depleted, it may be a difficult thing to retreive them. Even if one is successful in replacing lost enzymes, irreparable damage may have been done in their absence. Still, to prevent further damage and to assist in making any repairs that can be made, careful attention to restoring enzymes is well worth the effort. How can this process be accelerated?
Since enzymes are killed at high temperatures, all foods cooked at high temperatures are lacking their original enzymes. It is no wonder, then, that so many people today are operating on a shortage of enzymes, since cooked foods are often those most emphasized in the average American diet. Even among those who try to concentrate on raw salads, the veggies that make up the salad were often picked before their enzymes reached their peak and sent to the market not even halfway ripe. They may have been gassed or sprayed with chemicals that may damage enzymes once in the body. For these reasons, naturally-ripened organic veggies are the way to go, if at all possible. I aim for 50% to 70% of my daily food intake coming from organic, raw foods.
If you find it difficult to get enough raw foods, juicing can be a good way to get a high concentration of enzymes from fresh fruits and vegetables. (Juicing can make you feel ill if you are dehydrated, so be careful and start slowly. If you experience problems, it may be better to way until your hydration level is restored to normal.) Garlic and onions are high in enzymes; I like to use them liberally, whether it is socially acceptable or not!
Low body temperature can curtail enzyme action. A thyroid problem may be at the root of low body temperature. Correcting the problem may bring an increase in tolerance for some people. Exercise and sauna can serve to raise the body temperature so that enzyme action is not inhibited. (Check with your doctor first!) Even certain foods tend to raise the body temperature. Ginger is one food known for its warming effect.
Since enzymes are dependent upon many different nutrients, nutritional deficiencies need to be uncovered and corrected. A good holistic doctor can help you in this regard. You may be tempted to experiment on your own when it comes to supplements, but you may end up creating more imbalances. I strongly recommend getting expert help in this department.
Remember, life stops when enzyme action stops. If you are alive and reading these words, it is not too late to give some attention to the marvelous catalysts we know as enzymes. Why not start today?
© Dorothy Herrmann 2003
edited, 2005
