Have you ever eaten something and it sits on you stomach like a pile of rocks. A few minutes later your stomach begins to erupt like a volcano, it turns, it burns, churns. If you had taken digestive enzymes before eating you could have avoided the whole ordeal.

Digestive enzymes are responsible for breaking down the food that you eat, preparing it for assimilation, which takes place mostly in the small intestines once it leaves the stomach. By taking enzymes, not only will you avoid the rock piles and volcanic stomach, you will feel more energized. Why? Your food is actually being broken down and used by the body. It is these nutrients that are properly assimilated into the cells through the blood stream that supply the body energy.

All enzymes are divided into three groups: metabolic enzymes, which run you body, digestive enzymes, which digest foods and food enzymes, which are contained naturally in raw foods that start food digestion. The more food enzymes you ingest, the less your body has to borrow from its natural metabolic and digestive enzymes to digest food.

Each whole food has it own set of food enzymes that aid in ripening and digestion of the plant. This process continues until the plant completely disintegrates. On the vine it is called rotting, if in the body it is called digestion. Several servings of RAW fruits and vegetables are needed daily to aid in digestive processes. Cooked foods do not count. Live enzymes die at 120 degrees F., assuming enzymes are present in the first place. Green harvesting, soil depletion and companies tampering with the enzymes to give longer shelf life are culprits that rob enzymes from food.

Other eating tips that help digestion are: Drink plenty of fluids (not with meals), eat plenty of fiber, eat breakfast - it is the most important meal of the day for over all health, eat slowly, take small bites, chew food thoroughly, eat at regular times, and relax when eating.

As we age our bodies produce less and less enzymes. Between the ages of 27 to 35 years, enzyme production decreases more than at any other times of life. This is when we first notice aging, due to reduction of enzymes. It makes sense to supplement with enzymes to help slow down this, ever present, aging process.

When choosing an enzyme supplement it is advised to purchase a formula that digests protein, carbohydrates, fats, dairy, plant fiber and legumes. Many excellent formulas that digest these food types are available at reasonable prices. Stay away from extremely low cost and high cost products. Just because a formula costs more does not mean it is better. Many expensive products are manufactured by small specialty or multi-level marketing (MLM) companies. Expect to pay $10 - $20 for a one month supply of good quality digestive enzymes.

Fred Fishburne and his wife are owners of ProHealth Nutrition, Inc., a very successful health store in McDonough, Ga. Visit them at: http://prohealthnut.com