Warning WEDnesday: You might not be getting enough enzymes!!

I have been reading a lot about enzymes lately. What it does for your body in terms of muscle growth and why our body needs it. In fact, enzymes are the MOST important growth nutrient there is, without it, protein cannot be broken down. What that basically translates to is:

Enzymes can be considered even MORE important than protein itself!


Whether you are trying to bulk up or lean out, muscle is the common component that needs to be worked for that equation to work. So how do you make it all add up? Naturally, you pound back as much protein packed foods as possible to help with muscle break down during the workouts and muscle repair during the rest days.
Sometimes its hard to prepare lean protein cooked meals everyday so there will most likely be protein shakes (also, it helps cut out some of the unnecessary animal fat…) –

But let me ask you this…

Are you getting enough enzymes?

Because remember, all that protein you have consumed could just end up being flushed down your toilet bowl… or even worse, sitting in your belly somewhere…just accumulating into gunk- while very little of the benefits have been extracted into your body.

So what is so special about enzymes?

Enzymes are what make everything in your body function optimally and properly. Enzymes digest the foods, breakdown the protein into amino acids, stimulates the brain, provide cellular energy and repairs all the cells, tissues, and organs of your body. They are the building and repair blocks that make everything happen within your body and without them, proper muscle growth cannot happen. You could very well be accelerating your aging process by the lack of enzymes you have right now!! And all this time you thought you were keeping yourself younger by hitting it hard at the gym and eating protein enriched foods… hmm, interesting thought to consider.

As you get older, your body naturally depletes its enzyme storage. Combine that with pollution, toxins, stress, drugs, alcohol, eating dead foods… all that dips deeper into your enzyme supplies!

You are now probably going to start packing more enzyme enriched foods right? Great idea! Unfortunately, if you go to your local supermarket, I bet you won’t be able to find much foods that will fit the bill. In produce, enzyme levels are killed off once they are sprayed with chemicals and preservatives. And cooking food? Don’t even think about it. Anything that is cooked over 115 degrees will lose ALL of its enzymes.

Not all hope is lost.
There are other ways to keep your enzyme levels high to maximize your muscle growth.

*Juicing- this has been gaining more popularity with the mainstream fitness enthusiasts. Juicing your veggies and fruits make delicious and easy drinks. And you won’t have to worry about getting in your recommended daily intake of either! Also great way to rid your body of toxins.

*Supplementation- nothing new to the health and fitness industry. Mind you, if you take this route, make sure you get the facts on the products you wish to invest on before making a purchase. There are a lot of pills out there that will make big flashy promises and claims to be the best, it would do you good to do some homework.

*Raw food plan- for the extremists!! This would require a complete 180 makeover in what you eat and how you prepare it. Raw food generally means to eat the food in its most natural form. (this would include any raw meats of course) Raw food is rich in enzymes. Don’t be surprised if you actually start to enjoy some of the foods. Because they are not altered, the foods natural flavours shine and because they are not cooked, dinner is so much quicker to prepare and clean! (no pots and pans!)

Until next time team, take an inventory of your diet right now… if you are looking to really build more lean muscle, re-ask yourself this: Are you getting enough enzymes??

Health respect & happiness
Beki