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Enzyme Nutrition
Why is eating food in its natural state, unprocessed and unrefined, so vital to the maintenance of good health? What is lacking in our modern diet that makes us so susceptible to degenerative disease? What natural elements in food may play a key role in unlocking the secrets of life extension? These fascinating questions, and many more, are answered in Enzyme Nutrition .
Written by one of America’s pioneering biochemists and nutrition researchers, Dr. Edward Howell, Enzyme Nutrition presents the most vital nutritional discovery since that of vitamins and minerals—food enzymes. Our digestive organs produce some enzymes internally, however food enzymes are necessary for optimal health and must come from uncooked foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, raw sprouted grains, unpasteurized dairy products, and food enzyme supplements.
Enzyme Nutrition represents more than fifty years of research and experimentation by Dr. Howell. He shows us how to conserve our enzymes and maintain internal balance. As the body regains its strength and vigor, its capacity to maintain its normal weight, fight disease, and heal itself is enhanced.
Written by one of America’s pioneering biochemists and nutrition researchers, Dr. Edward Howell, Enzyme Nutrition presents the most vital nutritional discovery since that of vitamins and minerals—food enzymes. Our digestive organs produce some enzymes internally, however food enzymes are necessary for optimal health and must come from uncooked foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, raw sprouted grains, unpasteurized dairy products, and food enzyme supplements.
Enzyme Nutrition represents more than fifty years of research and experimentation by Dr. Howell. He shows us how to conserve our enzymes and maintain internal balance. As the body regains its strength and vigor, its capacity to maintain its normal weight, fight disease, and heal itself is enhanced.
192 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 1985
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320 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 4, 2013
This is a difficult book to review. It was published in 1985 and apparently is an abridged version of a much longer literature review of enzymes, nutrition and disease. My overall thoughts while reading this is that the reviewed literature is old - most referenced works were written in the early 1900's - and I have to wonder how accurate/relevant these findings are today. However, many of the arguments in the book come across as somewhat 'prophetic', as science today seems to be 'finding' similar relationships between what we eat (or don't eat) and our health. As a literature summary, the book is a relatively easy read, and it is interesting to see how many of today's 'fads' (raw milk, anyone?) are supported by research that's 100 years old! The writer comes across as feisty and somewhat bitter, which unfortunately kind of undermines his data and conclusions. For folks interested in nutrition, I would suggest trying to find books newer and more specific to a subject, as this one is pretty broad. However, for those interested in the history of nutrition - and perhaps some of the science that's been 'lost' - this is a good read.
August 29, 2017
Supposedly the book that ‘started it all.’ At least as far as enzyme supplementation is concerned.
From the first paragraph of the introduction, the age of the work is apparent:
I adhere to the philosophy that both the living organism and its enzymes are inhabited by a vital principle or life energy which is separate and distinct from the caloric energy liberated from food by enzyme action. I would not like to think, when a person talks to me face to face, that it is the energy of the potato he just digested that is producing the whimsical remarks and animated conversation. I prefer to believe complex emotions, such as joy, sorrow, and anger, are powered by the same vital energy that the enzyme complex utilizes in metabolizing food – not by the caloric energy of a potato or other food. Emotions are capable of being expressed even in starving persons where there is no food in the body to supply caloric energy.
Takes a rather condescending, and sometimes even combative, tone regarding other scientific research.
He also does a lot of that vague, frustrating, “I’m not telling you this is true, but I sure would like to believe it’s true” bullshit. It was quite aggravating.
Table sugar has been condemned by dentists, nutritionists, and physicians for scores of years. It is the greatest scourge that has ever been visited on man in the name of food.
So dramatic!
The false craving and feeling of well-being sugar induces is on par with the ecstasy experienced when dope takes command in the victim’s body.
In direct contradiction to more recent publication, Howell asserts that the average reader cannot use enzyme supplementation on their own to treat their ailments. Rather, he suggests that one only attempt an enzyme regime under the direct supervision of a licensed medical professional. I’m curious whether this is simply due to a difference of opinion on his part, or whether the enzyme supplements commercially available at the time of this book’s publication were less conducive to use by the lay consumer.
Oh, and my favorite quote, if only because of the sheer gall:
What went on secretively inside the body was worse than that which transpires within the smoke-filled rooms of a partisan political caucus.
I learned more about Howell in that one sentence, than I did about enzymes in the entire novel.
From the first paragraph of the introduction, the age of the work is apparent:
I adhere to the philosophy that both the living organism and its enzymes are inhabited by a vital principle or life energy which is separate and distinct from the caloric energy liberated from food by enzyme action. I would not like to think, when a person talks to me face to face, that it is the energy of the potato he just digested that is producing the whimsical remarks and animated conversation. I prefer to believe complex emotions, such as joy, sorrow, and anger, are powered by the same vital energy that the enzyme complex utilizes in metabolizing food – not by the caloric energy of a potato or other food. Emotions are capable of being expressed even in starving persons where there is no food in the body to supply caloric energy.
Takes a rather condescending, and sometimes even combative, tone regarding other scientific research.
He also does a lot of that vague, frustrating, “I’m not telling you this is true, but I sure would like to believe it’s true” bullshit. It was quite aggravating.
Table sugar has been condemned by dentists, nutritionists, and physicians for scores of years. It is the greatest scourge that has ever been visited on man in the name of food.
So dramatic!
The false craving and feeling of well-being sugar induces is on par with the ecstasy experienced when dope takes command in the victim’s body.
In direct contradiction to more recent publication, Howell asserts that the average reader cannot use enzyme supplementation on their own to treat their ailments. Rather, he suggests that one only attempt an enzyme regime under the direct supervision of a licensed medical professional. I’m curious whether this is simply due to a difference of opinion on his part, or whether the enzyme supplements commercially available at the time of this book’s publication were less conducive to use by the lay consumer.
Oh, and my favorite quote, if only because of the sheer gall:
What went on secretively inside the body was worse than that which transpires within the smoke-filled rooms of a partisan political caucus.
I learned more about Howell in that one sentence, than I did about enzymes in the entire novel.
June 26, 2017
Loaned to me by the chiropractor. I tried to read it but got bored, skimmed it and read sections I wanted to. Basically what I got from it, is to eat vegetables raw because cooking them kills the enzymes in food.
September 25, 2019
Old is gold, indeed, not such knowledge anywhere in recent stuff.
February 9, 2008
really interesting...
explains the role of enzymes in digestion and upkeeping of the body.
96 enzymes alone take care of our blood vessels and there must be thousands in our bodies doing all the maintenance, construction and digestion work...
quote: "without enzymes, our bodies would be nothing but useless collections of vitamins, minerals and water..."
:-)
explains the role of enzymes in digestion and upkeeping of the body.
96 enzymes alone take care of our blood vessels and there must be thousands in our bodies doing all the maintenance, construction and digestion work...
quote: "without enzymes, our bodies would be nothing but useless collections of vitamins, minerals and water..."
:-)
Read
October 20, 2015hm, elég bő lére eresztett, de hogy az a pár mondatnyi lényeg mennyit ér, ahhoz jócskán utána kellene még olvasni, de az rokonszenves, hogy együnk minél több nyerset, csak persze nem a nyers tejre szavaznék, hanem... nem sokkolok senkit =)
Want to read
November 2, 2009this book is great. I learn.
March 1, 2011
This author came recommended by a Clinical Nutritionist I visited.
January 17, 2016
Lots of great information, heavy on research statistics. I learned a lot!
August 4, 2016
V important info re enzymes
August 10, 2017
Wow, this was awful. I'm researching enzymatic chemistry for a project, and I thought I'd get a popular view on enzymes. This is not science, it's a bully doctor asserting a bunch of unrelated truths in the hopes of supporting his half-baked notions. Sad. Try respected science journals if you're looking for health insights. Good luck.
April 30, 2018
I thought that the material was an interesting concept, but one that I totally reject personally. I wasn't that big of a fan of the raw food movement, but I know many people who feel this is a Holy Grail for them.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews