Copyright ©2012 Tom Bohager All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN: (13 digit) 978-0-615-48129-6 eBook produced by One World Press 890 Staley Lane Chino Valley, AZ 86323 800-250-8171 www.oneworldpress.com [email protected] Design and composition by Greenleaf Book Group LP Cover design by Greenleaf Book Group LP Notice: This book is not intended to replace recommendations or advice from physicians or other health care providers. Rather, it is intended to help you make informed decisions about your health, understand alternative approaches to better health, and cooperate with your health care provider in a joint quest for optimal wellness. If you suspect you have a medical problem, we urge you to seek medical attention from a competent health care provider. CONTENTS Introduction A New Path • How This Book Can Help PART ONE: Enzyme Essentials Chapter One How Enzymes Affect Our Health What Are Enzymes? • Digestive Enzymes • Metabolic Enzymes • Primary Enzyme Categories • Enzymes and Illness • Using Supplemental Enzymes to Improve Health • Plant-Based vs. Animal-Sourced Enzymes Chapter Two Enzymes and Digestion The Digestive Process • Food Enzymes and Diet Chapter Three Maintaining the Delicate Balance Maintaining Balance Within the Immune System • The Importance of pH Balance • Microflora Balance Chapter Four Simple Enzyme Programs for Better Health Enzymes Used in Supplements • Basic Enzyme Formulas for Any Need • Do You Have an Enzyme Deficiency? • Five Simple Programs for Almost Anybody • Choosing the Right Enzyme Supplement PART TWO: Enzyme Treatments for Specific Health Issues (Supplemental Enzyme Therapy) How to Use This Section Acne • Adrenal Insufficiency • Age Spots • Aging • Alcoholism (Recovery) • Allergies (Airborne) • Allergies (Food) • Alzheimer’s Disease • Anemia • Anxiety • Arthritis • Asthma • Athlete’s Foot • Athletic Performance • Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder • Autism • Backache • Bacterial Vaginosis • Bad Breath • Bedsores • Bladder Infection • Blood Cleanse • Bone Fractures • Bronchitis • Bursitis • Cancer • Candidiasis • Canker Sores • Celiac Disease • Cholesterol (Elevated) • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome • Circulation (Poor) • Colds • Colic (Infantile) • Colitis, Ulcerative • Constipation • Cramps (Muscle) • Crohn’s Disease • Cystic Fibrosis • Dandruff • Decubitus Ulcers • Depression • Dermatitis • Diabetes • Diarrhea • Diverticulosis/Diverticulitis • Dyspepsia • Ear Infection • Eczema • Edema (Water Retention) • Endocrine Glands (Support) • Energy/Endurance • Environmental Toxicity • Epstein-Barr Virus • Erectile Dysfunction • Exercise • Eye Conditions • Fatigue • Fever • Fibromyalgia • Flatulence • Flu • Fungus • Gallbladder Imbalances • Gastritis • Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease • Gingivitis • Gluten Intolerance • Gout • Gum Problems • Hair Loss • Halitosis • Hangover • Hay Fever • Headache • Heartburn • Hemorrhoids • Herpes Virus • Herpes Zoster (Shingles) • Hiatal Hernia • High Blood Pressure • Hot Flashes • Hormonal Imbalances • Hypertension • Hypoglycemia • Hypothyroidism • Indigestion • Infection • Inflammatory Bowel Disease • Influenza • Insect Bites and Stings • Insomnia • Irritable Bowel Syndrome • Joint Pain • Jock Itch • Kidney Stress • Lactose Intolerance • Laryngitis • Liver Toxicity • Longevity • Lupus • Lyme Disease • Lymphatic Congestion • Malabsorption Syndrome • Menopause • Migraines • Mucus Congestion • Multiple Sclerosis • Nausea • Nervousness • Osteoporosis • Oxidative Stress • Parasites • Peptic Ulcer • Periodontal Disease • Pituitary Imbalances • Premenstrual Syndrome • Prostate Disorders • Psoriasis • Respiratory Ailments • Rheumatism • Ringworm • Shingles • Sinusitis • Skin Problems • Skin Ulcers • Sleep • Sports Injury • Strains • Stress • Sugar Intolerances • Surgery • Systematic Lupus Erythematosus • Thyroid Imbalance • Tinnitus • Triglycerides (Elevated) • Ulcers • Vaginitis • Viral Infections • Water Retention • Weight Control • Yeast Infection Appendix A: Determining Enzyme Potency Appendix B: Enzymes Can Survive Stomach Acid Appendix C: Immune System 101 Appendix D: The History of Enzyme Therapy References Index Information about Enzymedica INTRODUCTION Surely you know someone who seems to have boundless energy, rarely gets sick, and apparently escapes the damage of passing time. We say these people are the fortunate ones, blessed with good genes, genes that keep them healthy, strong, fit, looking young, and happy. But only a small part of their good fortune can be genetic. (Some researchers believe that genetics only account for 5 to 15 percent of the factors that determine lifespan.) In actuality, our health and the length of our life are primarily determined by the availability of metabolic energy. Though this availability is partially attributed to what we inherit genetically, the factors include how we live, where we live, what we eat, how much we eat, how much we exercise, and what we do for work, to name a few. In other words, our life choices, our circumstances, and our environment determine, to the greatest degree, the quality of our health and length of our life. Regardless of the choices you are making now, though, there is little doubt that you want to be healthy and live a long life without greatly inconveniencing yourself or your loved ones. Well, you can! A NEW PATH Often we think of life as a journey. Where we end up depends on the path we have chosen. Every week you make hundreds of choices about your journey, and your choices affect your health. But the path you are currently on is probably convenient for you and brings you some measure of pleasure. The food, alcohol, snacks, TV, where you live . . . the list goes on. Think of what you are about to learn as a parallel path: not one that takes you in a completely different direction, but rather a slight alteration to the path you have already chosen. Yes, it’s new in some ways, but not unfamiliar; the direction is the same but the journey lasts longer and is more enjoyable. The change I’m recommending is defined by a newfound knowledge of what is ultimately burning up your health and potential years, exhausting your metabolic energy—enzyme deficiencies and imbalances. The new direction makes use of a simple, natural method for improving your health dramatically without going to extremes in altering your lifestyle. It can revitalize your body, renew your energy, and ease your health complaints, but it’s not a miracle drug. In this book, I will reveal how simple the path to good health can be—all because of the power of enzymes, the amazing proteins that support the basic metabolic and digestive processes that make life possible. Enzymes are the providers of metabolic energy (or cellular energy); they play a vital role in digestion, our immune system, our vitality, the aging process, and literally every function of the body. Our bodies produce trillions of enzymes to support these functions, but the vast majority of us find ways to derail that production process through poor life choices. As a result we make fewer enzymes than our body requires, and suddenly our body is struggling to support some of the primary functions necessary to sustain life. We feel tired and lethargic, the toll of aging becomes more pronounced, and we get sick. Research has shown that by supporting the body’s mechanisms for producing enzymes and by taking enzyme supplements, we can reduce the negative effects of stressors on our bodies. These supplements are readily available, comparatively inexpensive, and all natural. Yet they will improve health, longevity, and well-being in ways that are superior to supplemental vitamins, minerals, and herbs. HOW THIS BOOK CAN HELP This book will help you appreciate the importance of enzymes and how vital they are in supporting optimal health. Once you truly understand this connection, you will have a potent tool to help you maintain your health and overcome common health issues. In part 1, I will explain the vital contribution enzymes make to our overall health, vitality, and longevity. Chapter 1 describes the role of enzymes as the catalysts of life, explaining how they are produced and used by the body. Chapter 2 explains the link between enzymes and digestive health. Chapter 3 identifies how enzymes help to defend against and overcome poor health and disease. Chapter 4 offers simple solutions for incorporating enzymes into your daily life for a fast and effective path to better health—no matter what your health issues. In part 2, I offer enzyme therapy recommendations for treating specific illnesses and ailments, covering everything from acne and athlete’s foot to thyroid imbalance and viral infections. Enzymes have changed the lives of millions of people, and they can change yours too. Whether you’re in good health now, you have a few health complaints, or you’ve been living with pain or discomfort for a long time, the information and programs recommended in this book can help you improve your quality of life and feel better than you may have ever believed possible.