[Barf] enzymes

[Karen Aubrey]

here is anaritlce written for the Akita list

Karen A

Before you read further, take a moment to look at your dog. You are looking at a biological masterpiece 
whose body is a complex organism comprised of many structures that break down into interrelated systems. 
We refer to these intricate functions simply as "life." 

Within that amazing creature-your dog-there are systems such as the digestive system that is 
comprised of several organs and functions, working harmoniously toward one goal: supporting and 
maintaining "life." Organs like the pancreas, liver, kidneys, heart and lungs are composed of tissue, 
and tissue is the aggregation of millions of individual cells. 

The smallest structures in the body are chemicals; these include atoms and molecules essential for life. 
For example, carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, potassium, sodium and calcium are some of the atoms, 
which create and maintain life at a chemical level. Atoms combine to form molecules such as vitamins, 
fats and proteins. These molecules then combine to form structures at the cellular level. Each cell is bound 
by a cell membrane composed of lipids and proteins. The cell membrane controls the passage of 
substances into and out of the cell. Cells contain jellylike cytoplasm in which are suspended a nucleus 
and other structures specialized to carry out specific functions geared toward construction and operation 
of the cell. The cell nucleus contains the genetic material: DNA, chromosomes. 

Cells are made up of many substances, especially carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids and protein. 
Carbohydrates include sugar and starch and are important as a source for energy; some lipids are 
high-energy fuels, some form membranes and others are chemical messengers. Nucleic acids are 
present in the nucleus and in some cases in the cytoplasm of cells as either DNA or RNA. Their main 
functions are protein synthesis and transmission and interpretation of hereditary information. That brings 
us to "protein" a complex structure made up of one or more chains of amino acids linked by peptide 
bonds. There are thousands of different kinds of protein, each performing a specific purpose, and 
almost every function within a cell involves protein. Proteins are essential constituents of the body, 
the building blocks of muscles, tissues, and organs, and proteins regulate functions of enzymes and 
hormones. Proteins are synthesized in the body from their constituent amino acids which are obtained 
from digestion of protein in the diet. 

This mini biology lesson translates into an old cliché: quite literally you are what you eat! That bowl of 
dog food will be converted by the digestive system into basic substances needed to support and maintain 
life-tissues, organs, and the millions of cells that make-up your dog. Although it is an oversimplification 
to say that bowl of dog food cannot be used by the body without the help of "enzymes," it is a fact. 

Enzymes are proteins known as "reaction catalysts of biological systems." These catalysts (enzymes) 
are important because the body's temperature and internal environment do not allow chemical reactions 
to occur at a rate rapid enough to sustain life. Enzymes speed up the reaction by increasing the frequency 
of colliding molecules. In other words, enzymes speed up a biological reaction by binding with the substance 
involved in the reaction. 

Enzymes are relatively specific; meaning each enzyme reacts only with a specific molecule. There are 
more than 1300 known enzymes and each enzyme requires certain conditions for optimum activity-correct 
temperature and pH, the presence of organic molecules known as "coenzymes," and the absence of enzyme 
inhibitors. Coenzymes are often vitamin derivatives. This is all very complex and a good deal more academic 
than intended but it is important to explain the role of enzymes. Researchers are learning that certain enzymes 
are vital in maintaining health, and preventing diseases. Enzymes are effective in fighting inflammatory 
diseases, improving circulation, decreasing the rate of inflammation, aiding in tissue repair, complementing 
autoimmune therapy, and of course, the digestion of food. 

Each of us receives a supply of enzymes at birth. The supply is NOT limitless; it must supply the organism 
with life sustaining enzymes for the duration of its existence. When the enzyme supply is low, it signals 
the breakdown of the organism (meaning you, me, our dogs--all of us). Enzymes are needed to run all body 
systems. Metabolic enzymes are used by the heart, lungs, kidneys, immune system, and for brain functions; 
digestive enzymes convert protein, carbohydrates and fat into fuel to maintain the organism. Over-taxing the 
body to supply digestive enzymes can reduce the supply of metabolic enzymes. Eventually, the body becomes 
enzyme-deficient making it vulnerable to disease. Not surprisingly, glands and major organs suffer most from 
enzyme deficiency.

How can you prevent the body from depleting its own supply of enzymes? Nature solved the problem for us 
by providing those enzymes in raw foods. Food enzymes begin the process of digestion in the stomach. If 
there are no food enzymes the body must produce additional digestive enzymes resulting in fewer metabolic 
enzymes. If you feed your dog a diet containing at least 70% raw foods, you're providing these vital enzymes. 
Congratulations! 

Cooking or processing food above 118 degrees Fahrenheit destroys all food enzymes. If your dog's diet 
consists mainly of cooked or processed foods, the animal's store of metabolic enzymes will be converted 
into digestive enzymes. The lack of food enzymes puts a heavier burden on the body to generate adequate 
enzymes to complete digestion. 

In nature animals know to seek out those foods that satisfy their nutritional needs. For example: free-roaming 
wolves hunt grazing animals whenever possible. Before eating muscle or bone, the wolves feast on stomach 
contents, the liver, pancreas, and intestines-in other words, they are gorging on enzyme-laden tissues. Wolf 
pups are weaned and maintained on regurgitated food, also heavily laced with digestive enzymes. 

Since it's unlikely we can provide the same food a wolf enjoys in the wild, adding a digestive enzyme 
supplement to each meal may be essential for optimum digestion and overall good health. A multiple 
digestive enzyme should contain pancreatin, lipase, ox bile, pepsin, betain hydrochloric acid (HCL), bromelain, 
papain, amylase and protease. The enzyme should be a powder or capsule to assure the digestive process 
begins in the stomach. These enzymes are readily available at all health food and vitamin stores. 

Remember that the Akita is prone to "bloat." Digestive enzyme supplements can only benefit our dogs. 

© 1997 Barbara Bouyet
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