Every chemical reaction within the body cells is carried out with the help of enzymes. In a sense they represent the cell’s “life force”. If enzymes are in short supply or are weakened, they won’t be able to carry out their duties fully and the cell’s health would be compromised as would the health of the body as a whole.

Dr. Edward Howell - Enzyme Pioneer

Dr Howell (1898 - 1988) believed that we can become deficient in enzymes and that this can lead to degenerative diseases. His research suggested that at birth we have an enzyme potential which has to last our whole lives. They need to be preserved by eating food that still contains its enzymes, not wasted on enzyme deficient food that forces the metabolic enzymes that run our bodies to be diverted to digesting food.

The Fatal Process

Dr Howell used this phrase to describe the practice of cooking foods. Cooking at temperatures above 119 degrees Fahrenheit kills off the enzymes in food.

Raw Foods & Fasting

Raw food therapies have a long tradition in some parts of Europe where they are used as a therapeutic tool to overcome health problems. Raw foods contain enzymes, preserving the enzyme potential as does fasting to an even greater extent. Metabolic enzymes are now able to focus on the job of healing the body.

Howell did not advocate an all raw diet. He didn’t think this would be palatable for many people. He suggested the use of digestive enzyme supplements with cooked foods.

I would recommend the following as a guide to preserving the enzyme potential and placing less of a burden on the digestive system as well as the rest of the body.

Do not overeat. Just eat enough to satisfy you.

Eat more raw fruits and raw vegetables. Eat less cooked food and foods that have been refined and stripped of their enzymes.

Avoid foods that your digestive system doesn’t like by giving you digestive upsets.

Look at the principles behind food combining, where concentrated starches and protein are separated. This eases the digestive burden.

Drink eight fluid ounces of water up to half an hour before meals. Water helps digestion and also aids the metabolic enzymes.

By taking all these measures, enzymes will be preserved, the digestive system will have a great load taken off it, and every cell in the body will have its burden eased.