dormant from the acid action of HCL), is dropped from the stomach into the
duodenum (the first part of the small bowel), and alkaline digestive enzymes
(such as amylase, lipase, protease, and cellulose) are then released from the
pancreas. Amylase breaks down starch, lipase works on fat, protease handles
protein, and cellulose digestive enzymes attend to cellulose. The pancreas also
produces trypsin and chymotrypsin as well as peptidase, which are a part of
the protease family. These are alkaline enzymes that finish protein digestion
or break down peptides and polypeptides into amino acids.
It is essential for the pancreas to produce sodium bicarbonate
(bicarbonate ions) and for the liver/gallbladder to produce bile, as both of
these substances alkalize and sanitize the predigested food particles from the
stomach. If the tissues of these organs are congested, weak, or impaired in
such a way that these alkalizing principles are restricted or blocked from entry
to the small bowel, the duodenum stays overly acidic, and inflammation and
ulceration of the duodenum are the result. An over-acidic environment also
destroys or neutralizes the alkaline digestive enzymes of the pancreas,
virtually stopping proper digestion. This leads to starvation at the cellular
level as other enzymes and parasites become involved, because fermentation
and putrefaction now takes over the digestive process.
Studies undertaken at Yale University and other research facilities have
shown that enzymes, including digestive enzymes, are produced by many
cells in the body (not just the saliva, stomach and pancreas). It has been
demonstrated, for example, that white blood cells can supply amylase as well
as proteolytic-type enzymes. What an incredibly intelligent machine your
body is! I say “machine” with all due respect to the fact that each and every
cell is an individual part of God, with its own individuality and
consciousness.
We have been talking about endogenous enzymes, those produced in the
body. However, we also must consider a second category of enzymes
essential to life—the exogenous enzymes that are external to the body, and
found in foods. Exogenous enzymes play a vital role in assisting the body in
breaking down these foods into use-able building materials.
Food enzymes are vital to the health of the physical body. Without them
health begins to decline. Man still does not understand why these food
enzymes are so important when we have our own digestive enzymes. But the
body must have the support of these food enzymes for the process of
digestion and utilization to properly take place.