Here’s a bit of knowledge you don’t ever want to forget: Do everything in moderation – NOT so that you don’t OVERDO it but rather so that you don’t UNDER DO it! Not giving the body reasons to keep working, causes the body to ‘down-regulate’ or shut down certain functions.
Enzymes are molecules that speed up the rate of all the chemical reactions that take place in the body. They digest your food, feed your organs oxygen, put energy stores on your muscles, and repair your cells. They help you get the most out of life and increase your longevity.
Here’s the good news bad news about enzymes. The good news is that you can maximize your enzyme production by doing EVERYTHING in moderation. The bad news is that you can just as easily lower your enzymes by cutting things out of your life. For example, consume dairy and your body keeps making the enzyme, lactase. Lactase is necessary to digest dairy. Cut dairy out of your diet long enough for the body to lower its lactase production and all of a sudden you are temporarily intolerant to dairy. The same holds true for foods such as alcohol, red meat, and gluten!
Reading, listening to music, challenging your brain, being social and keeping yourself busy all “up-regulate” or increase enzyme production. Reducing any kind of stimulation automatically “down-regulates” or decreases enzyme production. Here’s another example. Stop exercising and the body reduces the enzyme that puts fuel stores on the muscles. Why should the body waste enzymes on something that isn’t being used? Get back on the treadmill, stationary bike, or tennis court and the body will up-regulate its enzyme production to restore your previous level of physical fitness.
There are approximately 1300 enzymes in the body and like a budget, if you don’t use them, you lose them! The next time you wonder why you used to be able to do something or eat something without an issue, ask yourself when you stopped doing it. Reintroduce the activity or food slowly and give the body time to build up its enzyme production; for eating everything in moderation, staying active and keeping the brain stimulated are the keys to a healthy body and a long life.
