Enzymes are specialized proteins that help with digestion of the foods that we eat. While we will not even try to address all of the types of proteins that our bodies use, this class of proteins help to lead us into the topic of digestion and diet that we will talk about later.
The first enzymes that your body produces are in your mouth. This enzyme, called amylase, helps in the digestion of carbohydrates. It is important to chew your food well so that the saliva and amylase in your mouth can mix well with the food that you eat to begin the digestion process. People who eat too quickly send incompletely digested food to other carbohydrate digesting enzymes lower in the digestive tract, leading to gas and discomfort after meals.
Enzymes tend to be specific for the type of food they are meant to digest (break down). They work much like a lock-and-key mechanism, where a certain type of food (protein, fat or carbohydrate) is shaped a certain way, and the enzyme has a complimentary shape on it. This catalyzes (speeds up) a chemical reaction in your body, allowing you to extract the energy from the food you eat and use the bits of the broken down food to build the body parts you need.
Different enzymes play different roles throughout your digestive tract. Some are in the stomach, where much of the protein is digested. Some are in the small intestine, where much of the fat is digested. In your large intestine, where water is re-absorbed, there are happy little friendly micro gardens who help to break down the complex carbohydrates that are not already digested, like those often found in beans and cabbage.
Most people have a complete compliment of all the enzymes they need to provide everything they require to be healthy (note the exception of essential fatty acids and essential amino acids). However, some people are missing certain enzymes, either by inheritance or by chance genetic mutation. These people must be put on special diets to avoid certain foods (or include certain foods) to be healthy. This shows how critical enzymes are to our every day health.
Another group of people who must be on special diets due to altered enzymes are those who have had surgery to some part of their digestive tract. Anyone who has had bariatric surgery knows that certain vitamins must be injected after surgery because they can no longer be extracted from their food through digestion.
Enzyme production increases in your body naturally when you are hungry, or when you smell something good, or around your normal eating time, or when something that normally stimulates you to eat happens (remember Pavlov's dogs?). Start eating, and enzyme production steps up as your body detects what sort of food you're eating. Drink too much while you're eating, and you will dilute the enzymes in your system and interfere with digestion; some people advise not to drink while you're eating. I say, drink in moderation and try to stay naturally hydrated (and don't eat bad cooking).
If you eat a balanced diet, and you have no genetic reason not to, your body will produce all the enzymes you need to stay healthy and give your body everything it needs.
As always, should you have any questions, please ask.
Always,
Dr. P.
24 March 2011
21 March 2011
Affordable Health Care May be In Our Lifetime
http://blogs.forbes.com/beltway/2011/03/17/the-deal-dems-and-gop-could-strike-on-medicare-and-health-reform/
Breastfeeding benefits for Diabetics
http://health.yahoo.net/news/s/hsn/healthtipbreastfeedingwhenyouhavediabetes
09 March 2011
New Rules for Blood Sugar Range May Be Coming.
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=139272
The Mediterranean Diet; an Old Way of Eating with a New Message
http://health.yahoo.net/news/s/hsn/mediterraneandietreducesriskofmetabolicsyndrome
08 March 2011
07 March 2011
Diabetes; a definition
Diabetes mellitus, often referred to simply as diabetes, is a group of metabolic disorders which cause a person to have high blood sugar. The most common symptoms are increased hunger, thirst, and urination.
I've chosen to make a special section on diabetes because it is one of my two pet topics. You will get more posts regarding this topic because it is rampant in both children and adults in the United States now, and common in my family and practice. I know this is an extra post this week, but please bear with me as I introduce this important topic.
There are three main types of diabetes:
If you, or someone you love, either has or is at risk for diabetes it should not be taken lightly. The affects of diabetes mis-management can be profound. In adults, Type II is the primary cause of blindness and kidney failure. The immune response is impaired in individuals with diabetes. Studies have shown that high blood sugar both reduces the function of immune cells and increases inflammation (pain, swelling, redness and heat in tissue). The effect of diabetes on the veins also tend to alter lung function, all of which leads to an increase in susceptibility to respiratory infections such as colds, pneumonia and the flu among individuals with diabetes. Several studies also show diabetes associated with worse cases of these types of diseases and slower recovery from them. Further, because high blood sugar literally turns blood into syrup, circulation through toes and fingers (as well as lungs and kidneys) becomes difficult, slowing or preventing healing of injuries. This can lead to infection and amputation if diabetes is not taken seriously and controlled.
Can Type I kill you? Yes. I've lost family to that condition. Can Type II kill you? Yes, because high blood sugar can prevent your immune system from doing it's job, which in turn allows infections, other conditions and even cancer to take a hold where your immune system may have won the day.
Diabetes is serious. I know too many people who really don't believe that, or think that taking care of their condition is "too hard". Please don't be one of those people. Take care of yourself. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. There will be more on this.
Always,
Dr. P
I've chosen to make a special section on diabetes because it is one of my two pet topics. You will get more posts regarding this topic because it is rampant in both children and adults in the United States now, and common in my family and practice. I know this is an extra post this week, but please bear with me as I introduce this important topic.
There are three main types of diabetes:
- Gestational diabetes: This is when a woman, who has never had diabetes before, develops high blood sugar during pregnancy. It may be a forewarning of Type II Diabetes in the future. It's cause and treatment seem to be much the same as Type II.
- Type II Diabetes: Previously known as Adult Onset Diabetes, or non-insulin dependent diabetes, is a group of conditions where cells fail to use the protein hormone insulin properly. Sometimes this can be combined with an absolute insulin deficiency. Primarily, this occurs when cells are no longer as sensitive to insulin. This type of diabetes is being seen more often in younger children, especially those who are over weight or obese. In some cases, although this condition is considered chronic (permanent), symptoms of the disease can be put into remission.
- Type I Diabetes: Previously known as Juvenile Diabetes, or as insulin dependent diabetes, is a condition where the pancreas, an organ next to the liver, fails to make insulin. It can affect people of all ages, and occurs when the immune system attacks the insulin producing cells in the pancreas. There is no known prevention or cure for this type of diabetes. Currently, the only option is for people with this condition to inject the insulin that they are missing.
If you, or someone you love, either has or is at risk for diabetes it should not be taken lightly. The affects of diabetes mis-management can be profound. In adults, Type II is the primary cause of blindness and kidney failure. The immune response is impaired in individuals with diabetes. Studies have shown that high blood sugar both reduces the function of immune cells and increases inflammation (pain, swelling, redness and heat in tissue). The effect of diabetes on the veins also tend to alter lung function, all of which leads to an increase in susceptibility to respiratory infections such as colds, pneumonia and the flu among individuals with diabetes. Several studies also show diabetes associated with worse cases of these types of diseases and slower recovery from them. Further, because high blood sugar literally turns blood into syrup, circulation through toes and fingers (as well as lungs and kidneys) becomes difficult, slowing or preventing healing of injuries. This can lead to infection and amputation if diabetes is not taken seriously and controlled.
Can Type I kill you? Yes. I've lost family to that condition. Can Type II kill you? Yes, because high blood sugar can prevent your immune system from doing it's job, which in turn allows infections, other conditions and even cancer to take a hold where your immune system may have won the day.
Diabetes is serious. I know too many people who really don't believe that, or think that taking care of their condition is "too hard". Please don't be one of those people. Take care of yourself. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. There will be more on this.
Always,
Dr. P
06 March 2011
The Power of Proteins
Proteins make up the third, and last, energy source our bodies need to function. Only carbohydrates, fats and proteins can provide calories (energy) for your body to do all of the biochemical operations that it needs to do.
Proteins are made up of smaller units called amino acids. Like the other molecules we've discussed, these amino acids are strung together in different ways to form the proteins we find in foods such as meat, eggs, poultry, seafood, dairy products and legumes. Like other chemicals in the body, amino acids can rotate light. While this is not important in a general knowledge sort of way (unless you're looking for a good cocktail trivia question), it is to our bodies. Only the l- amino acids are bio-active, whereas the d-amino acids cannot be used by our bodies at all.
Life would be impossible without protein.
Protein is necessary, whether it is in simple or complex form, for relaying messages in the nervous system and brain; balancing fluid; absorbing nutrients from the gut; producing such things as enzymes, hormones, connective tissue, muscles, antibodies and growth factors; and other metabolic products too numerous to list here. They participate in virtually every process in every cell of the body.
Unlike fats and carbohydrates, protein is not stored in the body so you must eat enough of it every day to meet your body's demands. Digestion breaks protein down into its individual amino acids, which can be used to construct the necessary components for your health or to produce glucose for energy if no other source is available. One of the products is insulin, needed for proper carbohydrate and fat handling.
Like fats, there are essential amino acids which humans must obtain from their diets. A few of these are lysine, methionine, and threonine because our bodies lack an enzyme called aspartokinase which would make these from aspartate. There are eleven essential amino acids in all.
It is possible to have protein deficiency, and two conditions have been defined where lack of protein is primary; Marasmus, in which both protein and calories are lacking and Kwashiorkor, in which primarily protein is missing from the diet. While these are rare (but not unheard of) in the United States, they are common in areas such as parts of Africa and Asia Minor.
The amount of protein an individual requires on a daily basis depends upon their age, size and gender. Like many nutritional requirements, protein is not a "one size fits all" nutritional component. Too much leads to fat storage. Too little, and your body doesn't have the essential building blocks it needs to do it's many tasks.
If you suspect you are getting too much, or too little, protein in your diet (remembering that the body loves balance) keep track of how much you take in over a two week period. That will give you a good idea if you need to re-visit your eating habits.
I hope this has been interesting and informative. If you have any questions, please ask.
Always,
Dr. P
Proteins are made up of smaller units called amino acids. Like the other molecules we've discussed, these amino acids are strung together in different ways to form the proteins we find in foods such as meat, eggs, poultry, seafood, dairy products and legumes. Like other chemicals in the body, amino acids can rotate light. While this is not important in a general knowledge sort of way (unless you're looking for a good cocktail trivia question), it is to our bodies. Only the l- amino acids are bio-active, whereas the d-amino acids cannot be used by our bodies at all.
Life would be impossible without protein.
Protein is necessary, whether it is in simple or complex form, for relaying messages in the nervous system and brain; balancing fluid; absorbing nutrients from the gut; producing such things as enzymes, hormones, connective tissue, muscles, antibodies and growth factors; and other metabolic products too numerous to list here. They participate in virtually every process in every cell of the body.
Unlike fats and carbohydrates, protein is not stored in the body so you must eat enough of it every day to meet your body's demands. Digestion breaks protein down into its individual amino acids, which can be used to construct the necessary components for your health or to produce glucose for energy if no other source is available. One of the products is insulin, needed for proper carbohydrate and fat handling.
Like fats, there are essential amino acids which humans must obtain from their diets. A few of these are lysine, methionine, and threonine because our bodies lack an enzyme called aspartokinase which would make these from aspartate. There are eleven essential amino acids in all.
It is possible to have protein deficiency, and two conditions have been defined where lack of protein is primary; Marasmus, in which both protein and calories are lacking and Kwashiorkor, in which primarily protein is missing from the diet. While these are rare (but not unheard of) in the United States, they are common in areas such as parts of Africa and Asia Minor.
The amount of protein an individual requires on a daily basis depends upon their age, size and gender. Like many nutritional requirements, protein is not a "one size fits all" nutritional component. Too much leads to fat storage. Too little, and your body doesn't have the essential building blocks it needs to do it's many tasks.
If you suspect you are getting too much, or too little, protein in your diet (remembering that the body loves balance) keep track of how much you take in over a two week period. That will give you a good idea if you need to re-visit your eating habits.
I hope this has been interesting and informative. If you have any questions, please ask.
Always,
Dr. P
04 March 2011
Alaska Joins the Nation's Health Care Reform
Of the 26 states objecting to Obama's Health Care Reform Act, Alaska is the only one to totally refuse Federal Grant monies. Where does your state stand?
http://www.adn.com/2011/03/03/1734282/states-must-implement-health-overhaul.html
http://www.adn.com/2011/03/03/1734282/states-must-implement-health-overhaul.html
02 March 2011
National Nutrition Month
In honor of national nutrition month, I will evaluate your diet at no charge. 1 per household, please. Just email me at dr.mjpilgrim@gmail.com,
a sla'inte,
Dr. P
a sla'inte,
Dr. P
And Now for Something Completely Different
So far, we have discussed carbohydrates and fats. Today, we are going to visit ever so briefly that taboo subject of healthy eating.
I realize that there are many interpretations of what is healthy (improves the overall metabolism of an individual) and what is not. I only consult with individuals, not groups, on how to improve the value of their diet (the foods and drinks they consume on a regular basis). Please know that what I am about to say is generally true, and not necessarily true for every individual.
This month, March, is National Nutrition Month (www.eatright.org/nnm), created by the American Dietetic Association (thanks to J. Scelso for drawing this to my attention). You can learn a lot from these people, and a visit to their site is always informative. However, a healthy diet is not a one-size-fits-all proposition. It's a wonderful place to start if your diet is far off the mark, but if you can't just bring yourself to follow the advice in a general forum like this, please find a consultant or a nutritionist who can help you to modify your current eating plan so that you can improve your overall health.
Why is that important? Well, you know you need more of certain carbohydrates, and essential fatty acids. You might need less of other carbohydrates and perhaps saturated fats. You also need proteins, vitamins, minerals and a host of other things; and there are some things which, in my opinion, you do NOT need, which we have yet to discuss.
Figuring that stuff out on your own isn't easy, and making it taste good and fit into how YOU eat can be really tough. Anyone who's tried to quit smoking knows that changing a habit "cold turkey" is NOT the easiest thing to do, and while some succeed the chances of failure are much higher. The same goes for changing your eating habits; just try waking up one morning and deciding it's an all-salad and liquid meal supplement day and see how long it lasts. I'd bet a cheeseburger and fries on failure within the first couple of days.
An individualized plan means you have a wonderful chance at success. If you're going to do this on your own, make sure you are well informed, read lots before you start, be sure you're really motivated, and have a support system in place. Don't be afraid to ask questions, and work as though your life depended on it. It just might.
One place to ask questions is right here. Your questions are ALWAYS welcome.
Always,
Dr. P
I realize that there are many interpretations of what is healthy (improves the overall metabolism of an individual) and what is not. I only consult with individuals, not groups, on how to improve the value of their diet (the foods and drinks they consume on a regular basis). Please know that what I am about to say is generally true, and not necessarily true for every individual.
This month, March, is National Nutrition Month (www.eatright.org/nnm), created by the American Dietetic Association (thanks to J. Scelso for drawing this to my attention). You can learn a lot from these people, and a visit to their site is always informative. However, a healthy diet is not a one-size-fits-all proposition. It's a wonderful place to start if your diet is far off the mark, but if you can't just bring yourself to follow the advice in a general forum like this, please find a consultant or a nutritionist who can help you to modify your current eating plan so that you can improve your overall health.
Why is that important? Well, you know you need more of certain carbohydrates, and essential fatty acids. You might need less of other carbohydrates and perhaps saturated fats. You also need proteins, vitamins, minerals and a host of other things; and there are some things which, in my opinion, you do NOT need, which we have yet to discuss.
Figuring that stuff out on your own isn't easy, and making it taste good and fit into how YOU eat can be really tough. Anyone who's tried to quit smoking knows that changing a habit "cold turkey" is NOT the easiest thing to do, and while some succeed the chances of failure are much higher. The same goes for changing your eating habits; just try waking up one morning and deciding it's an all-salad and liquid meal supplement day and see how long it lasts. I'd bet a cheeseburger and fries on failure within the first couple of days.
An individualized plan means you have a wonderful chance at success. If you're going to do this on your own, make sure you are well informed, read lots before you start, be sure you're really motivated, and have a support system in place. Don't be afraid to ask questions, and work as though your life depended on it. It just might.
One place to ask questions is right here. Your questions are ALWAYS welcome.
Always,
Dr. P
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