Read about it here: http://dietickdie.com/metabolic-enzymes-very-imporant-in-my-recovery/

Now the second type of enzyme I need to write about is FOOD enzymes.  This is what most people think of when they think of enzymes. Enzymes are found naturally in the foods we eat. They are proteins produced by living organisms and are used as catalysts for chemical reactions in our bodies. Without the proper enzymes, many reactions cannot occur in the body.

What do enzymes do?

Enzymes are used in ALL chemical reactions in living things. These include respiration, photosynthesis, movement growth, getting rid of toxic chemicals in the liver and so on. They are found inside and outside our cells.

There are several different enzymes that work within the human body. There are three categories of enzymes: metabolic, digestive and those found in raw fruits and vegetables. Enzymes function by acting as catalysts for chemical reactions in the body, making them function in the best possible manner. Different cells require different enzymes in order to function properly.

What are food/digestive enzymes?

Enzymes that are found within the digestive system aid in the breakdown of food and absorption of nutrients from food.

How do enzymes help us beat disorders?

It is a known fact that fungal forms, parasites, and bacteria are made up of protein and the shell that protects a virus in our bodies is, in fact, a protein coating.

The enzyme protease breaks down proteins and since the invaders of our blood system are protein, ingesting protease (just one type of enzyme) would help rid the blood of invaders.

Enzymes in general deliver nutrients, carry away toxic wastes, digest food, purify the blood, deliver hormones by feeding and fortifying the endocrine system, balance cholesterol and triglyceride levels, feed the brain and cause no harm to the body. All of these factors contribute to the strengthening of the immune system.

Many people with Lyme speak of having painful gallbladders; some say that they have had to get their gallbladder removed.  Lipase is a type of enzyme that breaks down and digests fat.  Taking lipase can take the stress off the gallbladder, liver, and pancreas.

Many people who are sick also have issues with weight gain or loss.  The endocrine system is our metabolism. Once we are able to fortify the endocrine system, get the bowels working regularly, and digest our food rather than turning it into fat, we have a successful combination for losing weight. Enzymes do speed up these processes, which is important for recovering from illnesses of varying natures.

The hypothalamus directs our endocrine system and is also responsible for balancing emotions.  Ever feel like you’re going crazy because you’re sick? Your body needs glucose from the liver to support the hypothalamus.  Nutrients can only be delivered throughout the body by means of enzyme delivery, so this directly affects your ability to think clearly!

Another factor, probably less important to people who are ill, is that enzymes keep your skin looking healthy.  Enzymes will fight the aging process by increasing blood supply.

What destroys enzymes?

Enzymes are a vital component of the digestive process, essential to the body’s absorption and full use of food.  As we age we see the decline in our ability to breakdown food enzymatically. Raw foods provide essential enzymes. However, most processed foods have little of the critical enzymes left in them. Raw foods will have more enzyme activity than cooked food, because cooking destroys enzymes.  Besides processed foods and cooking, heat from illness (due to fever), from exercising really hard, and/or getting into saunas, all decrease enzymes in the body. Enzymes are very easy to destroy and heat and pH in the body are usually what destroys them.  Illness and stress also deplete enzymes! That’s why supplementing with enzymes is important.

When there aren’t enough enzymes, your body must use enzymes from your liver and pancreas, a physically demanding task. Eventually there will be a deficiency, which will inhibit your ability to effectively absorb the nutrients in the food you eat and the supplements you take.

Therefore deficiencies in metabolic enzymes, due to the need to provide digestive enzymes, can lead to impaired health.  This can have a tremendous impact on health.

How to get more enzymes

Natural enzymes can be found in foods such as papaya, avocado, grapes, kiwi, banana, pineapple, mangos, dates, raw honey, extra virgin olive oil, and other unrefined oils and sprouts. Enzymes can also be found in non-processed (cooked) dairy foods and raw fish.

Steaming foods, instead of cooking them too much, can increase the enzymes you get from your food.

Taking a good enzyme supplement is very helpful.

Who needs enzymes?

I think anyone who is ill should take enzymes. Not everyone is going to have symptoms of having low enzymes and be able to directly correlate those systems to an enzyme problem.  Enzymes just control too much!

Enzymes are also effective as treatment for people who have heartburn and issues with their digestive system, generally speaking.

Tips on using enzymes

**Enzymes are basically composed of amino acids. The co-factors are responsible for synthesizing the amino acids into the essential enzymes. Co-factors are usually minerals such as magnesium and zinc. These essential ingredients or components can be derived from food. But since our body may need more than what our diet can provide, we can take supplements that contain good amounts of amino acids and minerals.

**People who have sore areas in their stomach or esophagus should avoid taking protease which can irritate areas where the mucosal lining is missing.  The enzyme will treat the area like raw meat!  But taking a high quality aloe to clear up the problem would be a first step. Then this enzyme can be introduced.

**The best time to take enzyme supplements for digestion is after a few bites of food so they mix in and go right to work on the food in the upper stomach.

** Adding “extra enzymes” to the metabolic pool is a good idea for those who are ill. Enzymes can be taken between meals.  When taken with food, they go to work on the food. When taken in between meals they can be absorbed right into the bloodstream to work in the body.

Since one of our most basic steps to fight illness and improve health is to insure the digestive system is working correctly, a focus on getting the proper enzyme levels is crucial!

What enzymes do I take?

I take two kinds.  One is the fermented soy enzymes that help the body produce metabolic enzymes.  Read about Metabolic Enzymes Here

Those enzymes also are digest food, but I like to go a step further. I also take high quality digestive enzyme called Power Enzymes. It’s a plant base enzyme that contains, what you usually find in a full spectrum digestive enzyme:

Protease: Digests protein into amino acids.

Amylase: Digests complex carbohydrates.

Lipase: Digests fats and denatured fatty oils.

Cellulase: Digests fibers from soluble sources.

Sucrase: Digests complex sugars and starches.

Maltase: Digests disaccharides to monosaccharides.

Lactase: Digests lactose or dairy sugars.

Bromelain: Digests protein.

…but I guess what I like about it the most, the one thing that separates it from what you typically see at the store, is the use of essential oils (liquid copals), such as lemon, orange, peppermint, fennel, anise, and ginger.  I can tell from the smell and taste, that I’m taking something pretty strong.  These oils are known for assisting the digestive system and other processes in the body.

Read more about Power Enzymes and Digestive Enzymes here.

I get a lot of people (especially those in the healthcare field) say the reason I got over Lyme disease is because I’m an athlete.  I think if I weren’t an athlete and I was in a doctor’s office and my healthcare providers felt this way, I would feel doomed.

The first LLMD I went to (a VERY well known one), wrote my success off during the first visit. He told me that it was “unlikely” I would go back to professional sports. I remember the dread I felt that day and how everything was ok up until he made that statement. It was crushing.  In a nice way, he was kissing me off.

The truth is there are a lot of people out there with their own opinion on Lyme disease.  If you find yourself ill with anything, only YOUR opinion counts.  If you find “support” groups discouraging…don’t go! If you don’t like what your doctor says…leave! It’s a free country (thus far) and only the person who is ill can change his outcome.

It is kind of like having friends or family with drug problems. Only that person can make their mind up to change. You can beat them over the head with an idea, and it’s only when they accept the idea as something that is legitimate and is the truth, that they then can help themselves.  Change comes from within.

Had I really taken that doctor’s opinion seriously about my own health, I would never be where I am today. I would not be a top contender in track and field, with a new coach and a new agent.  I have resurrected myself in little over a year, from a 5 year FORCED break from Lyme disease.  Sure, I was disappointed about what has happened and the care that I never received when I was sick. I had to make my own way, but I did it and so can you.

My feelings on recovery are this: If you’re a good student, have good discipline, have the desire inside to change everything that is making you ill and have an open mind, then there is NO REASON that you can not get healthy. NONE.

See Ya Later, Tick Slayer!

Perry Fields

So if you’re one of those people who are having problems with medications, not many physicians will relate it to the fact that your Phase 1 and Phase 2 Detox pathways have enzymes that are compromised.  Phase 1 (Gathering) and Phase 2 (Disposing/Dumping) is how your body dumps waste. If enzymes are compromised certain drugs will not detox well. They’ll just build up and the waste will be worse than having just Lyme bacteria in your body. Almost everyone goes through this simply because suggested protocols for dosing are so OVER THE TOP. I would think it might work for 5% or less of the population.

Many people can’t even detox pollutants well, or solvents, household chemicals (including those is your bathroom), or the leaching of plastics into food, pesticides, etc.

My suggestion is for people to go into their bathroom and start ditching all of their products that aren’t 100% natural. Yes, for me it was hard simply because I had just bought shampoo, soap, face cream, deodorant and other bathroom supplies. So I just donated them if they weren’t opened.  You don’t have to be THAT extreme, but the sooner the better. Then just pay attention next time you go shopping and read the labels! 

This was a tremendous help for me. I suspected I had a problem because I just go nuts if someone is smoking around me or if the bathroom at my office has just been cleaned or someone sprays the bathroom spray in there right before I go in. But once I got away from these chemicals and/or lessen contact with them, I became even more annoyed with it, simply because I can physically tell how awful this stuff is. 

The rate at which people are getting ill, suggests that 1 in every 2 people will have cancer in their lifetime. Well, if you want to know part of the mystery…look at the products in your house.

I know that many people can’t afford the natural products because they are more expensive. Think of it as an investment well spent. Your body is #1. It’s your temple. All else is #2.

Plus, with the trend for companies to keep up with the demands of more educated consumers, they have to price their products according to the demand. As more stores compete, the prices go down. It won’t ALWAYS be so much more expensive. 

Freeing yourself of these types of pollutants which burden your body and make it work overtime “frees up” detox pathways to focus on LYME and other bacteria you might have. So do your body a favor if you want to get healthy for life.

Another Athlete’s Comeback From Lyme

I’ve never watched much tennis…these players get too many breaks!   I was pleased to see this:

http://www.theage.com.au/news/sport/tennis/stosur-discovers-her-inner-mongrel/2009/06/04/1243708565506.html

It’s about an exciting comeback from a tennis player who had Lyme Disease and spent a year recovering from it. Unfortunately it doesn’t give the specifics. My question is, “How quickly was it diagnosed?”

Hopefully it will provide you with a little more inspiration and know that YES, it’s truly possible to get over the “impossible.”

Expect the BEST,

Perry

See ya later Tick Slayer,

 Perry

Website: http://www.BeatLyme.com

Blog: http://www.blog.beatlymedisease.com

Email: arden@beatlyme.com (For coaching or general questions)

Fax: 864-653-9840

 You’re probably wondering what this has to do with Lyme. Actually it has a lot to do with it, since part of the healing process is the understanding of how EVERYTHING is connected. Our bodies are like self contained galaxies trying to equalize themselves, no matter what kind of outside force is present.  Our minds are part of it. Our biological terrain is part of it. Our organs (inside and out) are part of it. All of this can be manipulated to near perfection.

 “Known Universe” on National Geographic and “Planet Earth” on Discovery Channel are two shows that shouldn’t be missed. I don’t care whether you are into science or not. If you’re sick it’s a good idea to watch these shows.  They are both inspiring on several levels. “Planet Earth” explores how life is always burdened and how life always manages to continue on and even flourish under the worst conditions. (Hint, hint.)

 It all comes down to….where there is a WILL, there is a WAY. There are always answers out there, some better than others, of course.  I sometimes get tired of people believing Lyme is so impossible to overcome.  I had full blown Lyme Disease and I was a hair short of making the 2004 Olympic Team (just out of college) in what’s considered the hardest event in track and field, the 800m.

 Sure, there were tell-tell signs. At the time I had no idea what was really going on and chalked it up to training hard.  But I desired to race and compete and my body followed suit.

 Sometimes to get healthy you have to ignite the drive to be healthy. My drive is simple. I want the World Records for my events. Having such a goal leads me in no other direction but UP.  With what I do these days as far as taking care of myself, my lifestyle changes and how I dealt with Lyme Disease,  I’m pretty confident about my goals.

 It’s sometimes not good enough to just say “I want to feel good.”  It’s too vague for a goal. Lofty goals are not bad and never let anyone make you think your goal is ridiculous. If you used to be able to ride your bike everyday, well now is the time to think about the goal being to compete in cycling. Maybe it’s a road bike race? Maybe it’s a mountain bike race? Shoot for something you haven’t done in years or something you avidly did when you were younger.

 When I lived in Tucson, Arizona I hung out with a guy who had Cerebral Palsy. This guy bikes 100 miles every day in the desert on a road bike. He told me once that if he didn’t bike then his limbs will literally tie up in knots and be unusable. Is it hard for him to get started each morning? You bet. It’s a long hard process, but once he’s riding he breaks free from his torture. He’s prolonging his life and keeping the disease from conquering him.

 Luckily with Lyme Disease, you don’t have to live with it FOREVER.

  Let Food Be Thy Medicine (continued)

 If you didn’t get the first newsletter on making your diet help you combat Lyme, please go here.

http://beatlymedisease.blogspot.com/2009/07/let-food-be-thy-lyme-disease-medicine.html

 There are some people who believe that food alone can help you cure any type of disease.

 It’s surprising that so many people think they eat healthy and really they don’t. That’s why it’s essential for Lymies to do a diet makeover to get well.

 Apart from the obvious, like eating out (which more often than not you’re eating some type of processed food), it’s important to control as much as you can when it comes to what you consume.  Those who heed this advice will see results.

 Luckily, I didn’t have to do a hard diet makeover when I became ill. I was already consuming organic proteins, eating plenty of legumes, lentils, high quality rice, quinoa (a South American grain full of protein and complex carbohydrates), and organic vegetables. I stayed away from the “dirty dozen” (those fruits and vegetables that should be purchased organic as they contain the highest amounts of pesticides): Bell Peppers, Celery, Potatoes, Spinach, Apples, Cherries, Grapes, Nectarines, Peaches, Pears, Raspberries and Strawberries. The bottom of my food pyramid was WATER (clean, oxygenated, spring water) and not grains.

 I already knew what my food allergies were. Basically I’m gluten intolerant. That’s an allergy that made me fairly sick all through college before it was diagnosed. But by knowing this ahead of time, it wasn’t adding to the problem by the time Lyme came around.

 Getting enough protein is essential…especially from different sources. If you can’t eat enough protein, you can at least get some from making a shake with protein mix. My favorite is Pea and Rice protein because it’s a complete protein and Whey protein is not always tolerated by some people. I don’t have a milk allergy, but Whey sometimes makes me feel sick and it does so for many people.

 The debate is on going about Soy Protein, but I personally hate Soy. Not only is most of it genetically modified, but another thing to be scared about: see  http://www.saynotogmos.org/ but by adding soy to your diet you risk damage to the thyroid, reproductive disorders, immune system breakdowns and other issues.

 It’s touted as “healthy” but it wasn’t even considered a real food until just  recently. Fermented Soy can be beneficial (think tempeh, Natto, a great enzyme for breaking down Fibrinogen, and Miso). The importance of grains is paramount. Grains not only provide complex carbohydrates, BUT they help absorb toxins in the gut and digestive system.

 Getting Enough Fats?

 Quickly let me explain that fats are not all bad. Everyone is so worried about bad fats that many people, when they do indulge themselves in fatty foods, it’s usually the wrong kind of fats. No natural fats are intrinsically good or bad, it’s the proportions that matter. Food processing is always the culprit.

  Those who have bad inflammation usually have a terrible imbalance of their Fatty Acids.

 When they are imbalanced inflammation can run amuck. 

 Good way to tell if your fatty acids are imbalanced? Look at the bottom of your feet.  Are your feet dry and cracking? If so, you probably have an imbalance.

 Another good way to tell is if you take aspirin and it reduces your inflammation, it means you have an imbalance of fats. (*Taking aspirin and other  NSAIDs can destroy joint cartilage, cause liver and kidney damage, cause headaches, skin rashes and ringing in the ears. It can also interfere with sleep patterns and make changes in body temperature.)

 Vo2 Max is a measurement for athletes as to how good their oxygen uptake is. It increases by an easy 20% when athletes consume more fats in their diets. Fats = energy.

 If you’re worried about cholesterol, just know that impairment of the liver is a big reason why cholesterol runs wild in some people, it’s simply because their liver is not breaking it down.  Many natural fats actually balance cholesterol.

 Stay away from processed fats like hydrogenated fats and pump up your intake of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids.  Think Flax seed oil, Borage oil, Olive Oil, Coconut Oil and foods like nuts which contain these acids.

 For one of the ultimate “oil experiences” I suggest this Aloe Oil because it’s has the perfect balance and is a rare product that does some pretty wondrous things for many individuals whether it’s digestive issues or inflammation issues. This aloe juice contains complete fatty acids.

 ***In full disclosure of “Fats” I should say I’m a big consumer of RAW WHOLE MILK (hormone free, of course) and other dairy products that are WHOLE and not reduced or overly processed in any way. What this means is that I’m satisfied. I don’t go running around making bad late night choices and eating junk because I’ve been denying myself  fats (of the saturated or unsaturated dairy kinds).  If you did the same you might be surprised to see yourself actually lose a few pounds.

 ……to be continued.

 Tomorrow in Columbia, South Carolina

 I’ll be at the showing for Under Our Skin in Columbia, South Carolina tomorrow night. That’s this Tuesday at 6pm. It’s at the Nickelodeon Theater. I’ll be on the Talk Back panel after the movie, so come, ask questions, and bring your friends.

 Lyme-Austim Conference/ Poker Tournament Photos

 Wanna have a few good laughs…at my expense?

  Check out these photos from the conference and plan on going next year! Or you can just go to www.BeatLyme.com and scroll down to the bottom on the homepage.

Expect the Best,

Perry

Get updates my signing up at www.TheTickSlayer.com

 P.S. I will continue coaching people while in Colorado, although availability will be limited. If you’re ready to get on a plan and move forward fast, GET COACHING!

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