Enzymes-- The Engineers of the Human Body by Ryan Mace

The human body is made up of trillions of cells.  Within these cells a multitude of biochemical reactions occur every second of the day.   At the heart of these chemical reactions are a group of large molecules called enzymes.  

Enzymes are the tools of nature and serve as the engineers of the human body.   Enzymes regulate vital biological processes and accelerate biochemical reactions.   As a result, enzymes are involved in all aspects of metabolism, growth and development.

The molecular structure of an enzyme consists of hundreds to upwards millions of amino acids held in place by chemical bonds.  The unique sequence of these amino acids creates a three-dimensional structure which in turn forms a specific type of enzyme.  The function of an enzyme is determined by the unique order and arrangement of the amino acids.  Just the slightest change in this sequence will completely change the enzyme’s function.    

An interesting fact about enzymes and raw foods (e.g., vegetables and fruits) is that raw foods are enzymatically alive.  In other words, they contain active enzymes that help break the food down so the body doesn’t have to manufacture its own enzymes.  Mastication (chewing) of raw foods activates the enzymes, reducing the stress placed on the digestive system and body.  It should be noted that cooking, genetic engineering, and irradiation destroys enzymes. 

Cooked and processed foods are enzymatically dead.  When we eat them we are asking the body to breakdown 100% of the food.  Overtime, this can place a tremendous strain on the pancreas and the immune system.  Research suggests that the over consumption of enzymatically dead foods may result in the pancreas becoming dangerously enlarged, poorly functioning, and on the verge of breaking down.

Enzymes are widely available in supplemental form.  Proponents of supplemental enzymes claim they help with digestion, fight inflammation and viruses, prevent blood clots, modulate the immune system, and cleanse the blood.   While the research on most of these claims is conflicting, it is widely accepted that supplementing enzymes will aid in digestion.   Perhaps the best example of this can be found in people that are lactose intolerant.  To counter act their inability to digest the natural sugar found in milk people will effectively supplement with the enzyme lactase.  

The tremendous amount of biochemical activity that occurs in each of the trillions of cells throughout the human body is only made possible through the work of enzymes. Without enzymes, these biochemical reactions would occur at a much slower rate that would not support life.  In short, enzymes are the workhorse’s of the human body and vital for life.

The Antioxidant Advantage by Ryan Mace

Hundreds of various health promoting antioxidants can be found throughout nature. And while all antioxidants are great for the body, the purpose of today’s article is to focus in on five specific nutrients that form what is called the network antioxidants. Scientists have singled out these key players due to how they interact with one another and play an essential role in promoting optimal health. The network antioxidants consist of alpha-lipoic acid, vitamin E, vitamin C, coenzyme Q10, and glutathione.

Before we go any further, I want to be sure that you understand what antioxidants are and the role they play in the human body. In short, antioxidants are chemicals that help prevent cellular damage by blocking the harmful actions of free radicals.   A free radical is an atom with an odd (unpaired) number of electrons.   Free radicals cause damage by attempting to steal electrons from our healthy cells in effort to become stable (paired).   This process can cause a domino effect in the body and wreak havoc on our health. Free radical damage has been linked to numerous maladies such as premature aging, Alzheimer’s, arthritis, cancer, diabetes, cataracts, cardiovascular disease, periodontal disease, stroke, inflammation, and more.

In effort to quench their need for an electron, free radicals will attack any molecule including our very own DNA! However, with that said not all functions of free radicals jeopardize our health. Believe it or not, free radicals actually have an essential role in the body. For example, free radicals help regulate the diameter of blood vessels, neutralize harmful microbes, and destroy cancer cells. It is only when free radicals are present in excess or in the wrong place at the wrong time that the seeds for disease are planted.

In order to disarm free radicals and prevent them from making an onslaught on our vitality, it’s imperative that our bodies have an ample supply of antioxidants. According to Dr. Lester Packer, a leading expert in the field of free radicals and antioxidants, the network antioxidants play a major role in this battle. The network antioxidants have certain qualities that separate themselves from other antioxidants due to their keen ability to regenerate and increase the effectiveness of one another.
Alpha-lipoic acid is widely regarded as the most versatile and powerful antioxidant in the entire antioxidant defense network. According to Dr. Packer, alpha-lipoic acid is a metabolic antioxidant that plays an important role in energy production and can help in the prevention and therapy of chronic degenerative diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease as well as preventing damage from a stroke. The body is capable of making alpha-lipoic acid but it can also be supplemented and found in red meat, organ meats (such as liver), yeast (particularly brewer’s yeast), and spinach.

Vitamin E is perhaps one of the most widely known and studied vitamins and antioxidants.  It has been linked to reducing the risk to heart disease and cancer as well as preventing the oxidation of cholesterol and relieving symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Vitamin E can be found in many foods including vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, green leafy vegetables, eggs, avocado, and wheat germ oil. It is also available as a supplement.

Vitamin C is a potent free radical quencher that plays a pivotal role in promoting a strong immune system. Research suggests that vitamin C can help in the prevention of cancer, boost immune function, strengthen and repair tissues in all parts of the body, and protect the eyes against cataracts. Fruits and vegetables are the best source of vitamin C and include citrus fruits, mango, papaya, berries, broccoli, peppers, leafy greens, and tomatoes.

Coenzyme Q10 (CO Q10) has been dubbed the heart healthy antioxidant and commonly used in the treatment of heart and blood vessel conditions such as congestive heart failure (CHF), chest pain (angina), and high blood pressure. CO Q10 plays an essential role in producing energy within our cells. With over 2 million heart cells working around the clock, you can begin to see the direct correlation between CO Q10 and heart health. CO Q10 has also been shown to be helpful in the treatment of periodontal disease, strengthening the immune system, and preventing cancer.   CO Q10 is made by the body but can also be taken as a supplement. Food sources of CO Q10 include oils, seeds, nuts, meat, fish, and sulfurous vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower.

Glutathione is coined the nature’s master antioxidant and widely considered the most important molecule you need to stay healthy and prevent aging, cancer, heart disease, dementia and more! Glutathione is produced by liver and has been shown to promote healthy liver function, rejuvenate the immune system, regulate inflammatory responses, and prevent damage to our cells and tissues. Medical professionals use glutathione injections to help offset the poisonous side effects of chemotherapy. Natural sources of glutathione include sulfur-rich vegetables such as garlic, onions, parsley and cruciferous vegetables, high-quality whey protein, eggs, and meat.

Medical professionals estimate that more than 70 percent of Americans will die prematurely from diseases caused by or compounded by oxidative stress and deficiencies in antioxidants. Although antioxidants are readily available in supplemental form, it’s encouraged that you make natural foods your primary source. Just keep in mind, despite the ample evidence to support the health promoting effects of antioxidants it’s a person’s age, lifestyle, and genetics that will ultimately determine one’s overall state of health.

To learn more about antioxidants and their health promoting effects I encourage you to read the work of Dr. Lester Packer. Dr. Packer is a leading expert in molecular, cellular, and physiological aspects of free radical and antioxidant metabolisms in biological systems.

The Paleo Diet By Ryan Mace

Over recent years the Paleo Diet has gained significant momentum and interest in the health community. And as with most fad diets, there is always a great debate among experts as to their effectiveness and safety. To date, the Paleo Diet has not disappointed in this regards.

The philosophy of the Paleo Diet is based upon our ancestors’ dietary habits during Paleolithic times which date back approximately 750,000 to 15,000 years ago. Depending upon which variation of the Paleo Diet you study, you will be told that the dietary habits of our ancestors featured either:

• Low to moderate amounts of animal protein combined with an abundance of plant-based foods.
• Or, high amounts of animal based protein with low to moderate amounts of fresh plant-based foods.

The public’s curiosity surrounding the Paleo Diet has propelled it to one the most searched diets on the internet during 2013.   However, the attention it gathered has been far from favorable. In December 2013, the respected US News compared 32 popular diets and ranked the Paleo Diet last.  US News stated that the Paleo Diet "should go back to where it came from.”

The major criticism of the Paleo Diet tends to center around two talking points, the second of which I find laughable. First, experts are critical of the high protein version of the Paleo Diet that promotes a high intake of red meats.  In this case, I do see their point. However, my contention is that the true Paleo Diet is not a predominately animal based, high protein diet.

The second talking point of experts focuses on the obvious fact that we no longer have access to the same foods our ancestors consumed 750,000 years ago and therefore the Paleo Diet is useless since we can’t duplicate these foods. With that said, I believe they are completely missing the true intent of the Paleo Diet.

The Paleo Diet that I have come to know and respect is a diet that is very clean and features an abundance of nutrient dense foods combined with lean, high-quality protein in modest amounts.  My interpretation of Paleolithic times centers on the hunter/gatherer concept. Our ancestors spent most of their time gathering and eating foods that were within an arm’s reach. On occasion, they were able to successfully trap wild game which provided the body with high-quality, animal protein.

The intent of the modern-day Paleo Diet isn't to reintroduce foods that are no longer available to the planet or promote the over consumption of animal protein. The goal is to help people enjoy a lifestyle that features all-natural, high-quality foods that are grown locally without the use of harmful chemicals.  And while the intake of animal protein is limited in quantity, it certainly makes up for it in quality.

Paleo followers are encouraged to consume moderate amounts of meats that are raised humanly, fed natural diets, and free of harmful chemicals. These practices help ensure that the nutritional profile of the meat stays more balanced and in line with the body's need for nutrients.

In the end, we will never be able to eat the exact foods our ancestors enjoyed 750,000 years ago—this point is not even debatable. However, we can choose to eat the best available food that are grown locally. Eating an abundance of nutrient dense, plant-based foods while enjoying modest amounts of lean, high-quality free-range animal protein in my opinion is the Paleo Diet and most closely resembles the hunter/gatherer lifestyle our ancestors had 750,000 years ago.

Ryan Mace can be reached at ryan@ryanmace.com and followed via:

Twitter @RyanMace3,
Google+ @ https://plus.google.com/+RyanMace1/about, and
LinkedIn @ www.linkedin.com/in/ryanmace123/

Type 2 Diabetes: The Preventable Pandemic by Ryan Mace

John Hopkins Medicine reports that more than 25 million Americans currently suffer from diabetes.  And perhaps the most alarming statistic is that 90-95 % have a curable form called type 2. This means that every day, millions of Americans are suffering from a wide range of debilitating symptoms that can be fully prevented!  The symptoms of type 2 diabetes often develop slowly and may include:

• Increased thirst and frequent urination.
• Increased hunger.
• Weight loss.
• Fatigue
• Blurred vision.
• Slow-healing sores or frequent infections.
• Areas of darkened skin.

*** Left untreated, type 2 diabetes, also known as the silent killer, may cause irreversible eye and heart disease as well as nerve and kidney damage.***

Before presenting the preventative measures you can take to rid the body of type 2 diabetes it’s critical that you understand its pathology. First, there are two forms of diabetes, type 1 and type 2. Although similar in name, they are vastly different ailments that involve the hormone called insulin and the sugar molecule called glucose. Glucose is the master fuel of the human body and insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas. Insulin helps shuttle glucose into the cells where it will be used for energy production. Type 1 diabetics rely on injecting themselves with insulin, because the beta cells located inside the pancreas no longer function properly. In contrast, the pancreas of type 2 diabetics still produces insulin, but due to the body’s poor state of health, the body’s own cells actually start rejecting the insulin; causing glucose to congregate in the bloodstream and increase the risk factors associated with this silent killer.

Medical professional utilize several classes of medicine to help treat type 2 diabetes. Each of these drugs work in a different ways to lower blood sugar and are accompanied with their fair share of side effects.

These drugs may work by:

• Stimulating the pancreas to produce and release more insulin.
• Inhibiting the production and release of glucose from the liver.
• Blocking the action of stomach enzymes that break down carbohydrates.
• Improving the sensitivity of cells to insulin.
• Inhibiting the reabsorption of glucose in the kidneys.
• Slowing how quickly food moves through the stomach.

 Potential side effects of common diabetes drugs may include:

•  Low blood sugar, upset stomach, and skin rash or itching.
• Sickness with alcohol, kidney complications, upset stomach, tiredness or dizziness, metal taste
• Gas, bloating and diarrhea
• Weight gain, risk of liver disease, anemia risk, swelling of legs or ankles,

A healthy lifestyle should be at the forefront of treating diabetes.  Restoring the body’s intelligence at a cellular level will require dedication, discipline and patience. Type 2 diabetes does not develop in the body overnight and, as a result, will not go away overnight. However, working with a medical professional to form a strong plan of action that includes an abundance of health-promoting foods and moderate amounts of physical activity will certainly help improve your overall state of health.

One of the most powerful steps you can take to promote optimal health and ward off disease is eating a variety of nutrient-dense foods throughout the day. I have encouraged people to follow the 90/10 Rule – eat healthy foods at least 90% of the time and only 10% of the time indulge in not-so-healthy foods. Your daily intake of nutrient-dense foods will have an accumulative effect on your health and help restore the body’s intelligence. Diabetic-friendly recipes can be found at http://www.diabetic-recipes.com.

Another critical aspect in the treatment of diabetes is physical activity.  Exercise increases the body’s sensitivity to insulin and promotes overall health. The great part about exercise is that it comes in many forms – weight training, walking, bike riding, yoga, etc.  Which activity you choose isn’t nearly as important as simply committing to an active lifestyle.  The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends moderate-intensity physical activity for at least 30 minutes on 5 or more days per week. Just like nutrition, exercise also has an accumulative effect on the body.
If you or someone you know are part of the millions of Americans suffering with type 2 diabetes it’s imperative you understand that you can live diabetic free!  As mentioned, this battle will require dedication, discipline and patience. Armed with knowledge, The 90/10 Rule, The Healthiest Foods on Earth (located below) and an unwavering commitment to take control of your health, you will beat type 2 diabetes!

*** Copy of HealthiestFoodsOnEarth ***


Ryan Mace can be reached at ryan@ryanmace.com and followed via:

Twitter @RyanMace3,
Google+ @ https://plus.google.com/+RyanMace1/about, and
LinkedIn @ www.linkedin.com/pub/ryan-mace/15/2bb/34b/

The 90/10 Lifestyle– Your Guide to Optimal Health By Ryan Mace

For a moment, let’s compare health and nutrition to how we maintain a bank account. Our goal with a bank account is to make as many deposits as possible, while minimizing  withdrawals – we want to accumulate savings! How this relates to health and nutrition is simple – healthy foods make deposits into your health account (promote health) and unhealthy foods make withdrawals (promote disease). In other words, responsible spending will not jeopardize your ability to save money. Thus, one healthy meal will not make you the poster child of health, nor will a single unhealthy meal send you to your grave early.

It’s your lifestyle, what you do day-in and day-out that will determine whether you are nutritionally rich or poor.

The body is resilient and life is too short not to indulge from time to time. A fair balance that allows you to promote health, yet still have fun is found in the90/10 rule: Eat healthy foods 90% of the time and indulge the remaining 10%. With this philosophy your overall lifestyle will have an accumulative effect on your health and set the stage for a rich health account!
As Hippocrates originally said: “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”

•  The Healthiest Foods on Earth Guide (provided below) is a helpful tool that identifies more than 200 power foods you should eat 90% of the time, with the most power foods in bold. The remaining 10% of the time, you can commit nutritional sin – indulge! This document should be taken with you every time you shop for groceries.

Remember, lifestyle is the single most important factor in determining your overall health and fitness. There is no need to embrace fad diets and extreme exercise.

*** Copy of HealthiestFoodsOnEarth ***


Ryan Mace can be reached at ryan@ryanmace.com and followed via:

Twitter @RyanMace3,
Google+@ https://plus.google.com/+RyanMace1/about,
LinkedIn@ www.linkedin.com/pub/ryan-mace/15/2bb/34b/