Unlocking the Power of Enzymes: The Key to Better Digestion, Gut Health, and a Longer Life

Enzymes are like the tiny engines that keep your body running. They don’t just stop at helping you digest food – they play a crucial role in almost every process that keeps you alive and healthy. From breaking down the food you eat into nutrients your body can use, to powering energy production, to repairing cells and tissues – enzymes are at the heart of it all. 

Think of enzymes as your body’s multitasking team. Each type of enzyme has a specific job, like unlocking nutrients from food, fueling metabolism, and cleaning up waste. Without enzymes, your body wouldn’t be able to absorb the vitamins, minerals, and energy it needs to keep you going. They’re like the gears in a machine – when they’re working smoothly, everything else just clicks. 

Enzymes can be grouped into three main categories: 

Digestive enzymes are what most people think of first, but they don’t even enter the picture until food comes down into the small intestines. Some enzymes are made in the body and have a limited supply, while others can be added by eating certain foods. 

Metabolic Enzymes 

These are made in the body and are the largest group of enzymes, playing a role in all major functions such as breathing, eating, talking, moving, and thinking. The body has a limited supply of this type of enzyme, and everyone is born with a “bank of enzymes” from which you can make deposits and withdrawals.  

Making withdrawals from your bank of enzymes happens every day to create energy to fuel all functions of the body. You can make deposits via the other two categories of enzymes. 

Digestive Enzymes  

Digestive Enzymes are produced in the pancreas and there are 22 known types. They’re secreted into the small intestine where they jump into action, breaking down the partially digested food that’s left the stomach.  

Digestive enzymes have three main types, each with a specific job: 

The body will decide what digestive enzymes to produce based on the foods you eat and will try to produce only what is needed.  

Here’s something cool: your body customizes the digestive enzymes it produces based on the foods you eat. Since enzymes are a precious resource, it doesn’t like to have any waste and will produce only what is needed based on the foods you eat. This also means if you avoid certain food groups for a long time, your body may "forget" how to make the enzymes needed to break them down. That’s why adding foods back to your diet after long periods of avoidance can sometimes cause digestive upset. 

Oh, and did you know digestion is one of the body’s most energy-intensive processes? Nearly 70% of your daily energy goes into breaking down food. By giving your gut a little extra enzyme support, you might just free up some energy for other things – like chasing dreams, not just meals! 

If that sounds like something you need, pay close attention to this next group of enzymes!  

Food Enzymes 

These are the enzymes found in the foods we eat. Raw food contains high amounts of enzymes; cooked foods contain none. Raw foods that are fermented are the richest source of food enzymes because the process of fermentation enriches enzyme load. 

Why raw foods? Because cooking food destroys all of its enzymes.  

Food Enzymes start working in the mouth and stomach to kick-start the digestive process before food goes into the small and large intestines. When you eat enzyme-rich, raw foods like fermented pickles, sauerkraut, and kimchi, they help reduce the burden on the body to produce digestive enzymes. It also means less of your body’s energy is spent on digestion and more energy for FUN!  

Signs You Might Be Low on Digestive Enzymes 

Not feeling your best after meals? It might be your body’s way of saying your enzyme bank is running on empty. Here are a few telltale signs to watch for: 

These signs are your gut’s way of asking for backup. Without sufficient digestive enzymes, the body may borrow enzymes from vital organs to support digestion, compromising functions like immune response and cellular repair. This borrowing is unsustainable and can lead to deeper health issues down the road. 

The Cost of Enzyme Deficiency 

We’ve introduced the concept of the body’s "enzyme bank," also called our enzyme potential. This supply is limited and needs to last a lifetime. As we age, stress, poor diet, and other factors can deplete this bank.  

According to Dr. Howell, cooked and processed foods are enzyme-deficient and force your body to produce digestive enzymes at the expense of metabolic enzymes (Howell, 1985). This can: 

Dr. Howell (1994) even goes as far to explain that because enzymes are the biological catalyst for all functions in the body, when you run out of enzymes, death occurs. 

We’re not trying to be dramatic, and there is a bright side to this point! You can make frequent "enzyme deposits" by eating enzyme-rich foods – fermented foods being one of the best sources. 

Fermented Foods: Nature’s Multivitamin 

Fermented foods aren’t just tangy and delicious – they’re like the Swiss Army knife of gut health. Unlike dietary supplements, fermented foods deliver nutrients in their most natural, bioavailable form – meaning your body can absorb them more effectively.  

Here’s a breakdown of what makes them so powerful: 

The magic of fermentation doesn’t just preserve food; it supercharges it. Dr. Howell explains that when you eat enzyme-rich foods like raw and fermented foods, your body doesn’t have to work as hard to produce its own enzymes. That’s what we call making deposits into your enzyme bank. This gives your body’s natural enzymes more time to focus on important tasks like cleaning out waste, boosting your immune system, and helping you stay healthy longer. 

Olive My Pickle fermented foods, like sauerkraut, kimchi, and pickles, are all-stars when it comes to delivering this trifecta of gut goodness. By eating enzyme-rich fermented foods three times a day (or with every meal), you’re not just improving digestion; you might also be adding years to your life – seriously.  

How to Incorporate Enzyme-Rich Foods into Your Diet 

What foods have the highest number of enzymes? Those would be fermented and probiotic foods such as Olive My Pickles fermented pickles, sauerkraut, kimchi, live-culture olives, and LiveBrine Pickle Juice. 

Although fermented foods have the most enzymes, there are other delicious food options that can do the trick. Raw fruits and vegetables, raw milk, raw cheese, and raw kefir are all great options. 

The best way to aid your body, stretch your enzyme potential and literally lengthen your life is to eat enzyme rich foods whenever you’re eating anything cooked. 

We promise it’s easier than you think! Here’s some simple ways to get started: 

Small Changes, Big Impact 

At Olive My Pickle, we believe that the key to a vibrant, healthy life starts with your gut. By incorporating enzyme-rich fermented foods into your daily routine, you’re not just improving digestion – you’re supporting longevity, energy, and overall well-being. 

As Dr. Howell (1994) emphasized, “You live as long as your body has enzyme activity factors to make enzymes.” Let’s make those enzyme deposits count! 

Ready to take the next step? Build your custom box of fermented foods and start making daily deposits to your enzyme bank. Your gut (and future self) will thank you!