| July
2005
Do you have all the energy and mental clarity that
you want? Is your health at its peak? If not, the remedy
may be including some raw or living foods into your
diet daily. The good news is that this doesn't have
to mean a total dietary overhaul if your not ready
to do that. The change can be made simply, and most
importantly, very enjoyably. Interested? Read on
| Enzymes:
The Key to Good Health! |
 |
There are two types of digestive
enzymes for us to consider. The first type
are produced in the body by the pancreas
to help us break down the foods we eat. The
second type are food enzymes. These are found
in raw, live, and fermented foods foods and
are deactivated by heat.
Food enzymes are deactivated at a wet temperature
of 118 degrees and a dry temperature of 150
degrees Fahrenheight. Over time, a diet dominated
by cooked and processed foods will put an increased
demand on the body to produce enzymes, eventually
depleating its capacity to supply enzymes when
needed. This is when health challenges begin
to manifest.
The symptoms of insufficient pancreatic enzymes
go beyond digestive disorders, as poor digestion
leads to poor assimilation of nutrients, which
leads to diminished function of every cell
in the body. Thus, as I discuss in my book
Herbal Medicine for Health
and Well-Being,
digestion is the key to good health. |
| Raw
Foods: More than Just Vegetables |
|
|  The
enzymes in raw foods help start the process
of digestion and decrease reliance on enzymes
produced by the body. Raw foods include more
than just uncooked fruits and vegetables. Raw
foods can include fish (think sushi), raw dairy
products (or cultured dairy if raw is not available
in your state), nuts and seeds.
Nuts and seeds are full of enzymes and
can be eaten raw, but they also contain
enzyme inhibitors. Soaking them in warm
water or sprouting them will deactivate
the enzyme inhibitors making the nutrients
in these foods more readily available and
easier to digest.
Soaking nuts or seeds can be as simple
as filling a jar 1/3 full with the nut
or seed to be soaked and then adding warm
filtered salt water to the top. Let them
soak for 6 hours or longer. Then rinse
and enjoy. They can be eaten by themselves,
added to cereal or salads, or ground up
into spreads like pesto.
|
| Living
Foods for Vibrant Health |
|
 A step beyond "raw" foods are "live" foods.
Live or living foods are soaked or sprouted.
Sprouts go way beyond the alfalfa sprouts commonly
found on salads or sandwiches. Legumes, grains,
nuts and seeds can all be soaked or sprouted
and then used to prepare a wide range of dishes
that leave you with a palpable increase in
your energy level and mental clarity.
I highly encourage eating at least one living
food each day. A beautiful and useful resource
for preparing live foods is the new book Vegan
World Fusion Cuisine. This book's format is
simple and easy to follow, while introducing
the ingredients and techniques you need to
begin to incorporate live foods into your diet.
Fot those of you in Portland, Oregon, the
authors of Vegan World Fusion Cuisine cookbook
have opened a cafe. Blossoming Lotus Cafe and
Juice Bar, located in Yoga in the Pearl, features
several live dishes daily. If you haven't yet
come by for lunch, do. You're in for a real
treat of fresh, whole food made with great
care.
Blossoming Lotus Cafe and Cookbook |
Pickles,
Sauerkraut & Vinegar Can be
Good for You |
|
|  Another
category of enzyme rich foods are those that
have been fermented. This includes familiar
foods like sauerkraut, pickles and relishes.
Perhaps less well known fermented foods are
kimchi from Korea, and umeboshi plums from
Japan. Fermented foods are more easily digested
and assimilated bacause they have been predigested
by enzymes.
A common fermented ingredient is vinegar.
Organic apple cider vinegar has many uses
that go far beyond salad dressing. A digestive
tonic of one tablespoon of apple cider
vinegar in room temperature water (with
a teaspoon of raw honey if you like) sipped
slowly first thing in the morning will
quench early morning thirst, stimulate
digestion so that your body is really ready
for breakfast, and invigorate your being.
You may be surprised to find that this
morning tonic easily replaces your morning
dose of caffeine.
As I discuss in my book, Herbal Medicine
for Health and Well-Being, apple cider
vinegar has multiple benefits. One such
benefit is in the treatment of heartburn.
One tablespoon apple cider vinegar in warm
water before each meal will address the
most likely cause of heartburn - low stomach
acid!
Herbal Medicine for Health and Well-Being
|
|
Eating
for Vibrant Health! |
|
|
In
my naturopathic practice I prescribe digestive
enzymes more than any other nutritional supplements.
Digestive enzymes are a primary treatment
for addressing food allergies, hay fever,
sinusitis, and digestive disorders such as
heartburn, indigestion, gas, and bloating.
However, the need for digestive enzymes
is not limited to people suffering from these
conditions. There is such a tremendous need
for digestives enzymes due to our excessive
reliance on cooked and processed foods. High
temperatures destroy the enzymes that occur
naturally in foods.
Luckily, good quality digestive enzymes
will quickly relieve syptoms due to their
deficiency. but even better than taking enzymes,
is to consume foods naturally high in digestive
enzymes, and minimize foods that deplete
the body of the enzymes it makes on its own.
This month in The Art of Health Bulletin
I focus on simple ways to encorporate enzyme
rich foods into your diet and dramatically
improve your health and energy level. |
|
Yours in Health,
Laura Washington, ND
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