In the 1920's, while working with Dr. Henry Lindlahr, I observed that Lindlahr's fasting and raw diet therapy had a healing and health-promoting effect by significantly decreasing the demand for digestive enzyme secretions by the body.
As a result, the metabolic enzymes of the immune system were able to increase their detoxifying activity. Further research indicated the enzymes present in raw food contributed to improved health by reducing the body's digestive burden.
I recognized the typical diet consisted of considerably more, enzyme-deficient cooked food than enzyme-rich raw food. I then founded National Enzyme Company in 1932, and later Enzymes, Inc. in 1985, to develop nutritional enzyme supplements designed to replace the enzymes lost in the cooking and processing of food.
I developed the first widely-used food-supplement featuring enzymes - still available today under the Genuine N-Zimes label! According to my research, natural or supplemental food enzymes can digest 75% of food before the lower stomach's digestive juices are even activated.
By taking advantage of enzyme-based supplements, we increase the nutritional value of our meals and avoid several of the digestive difficulties so many of us experience, such as bloating, indigestion, heartburn, fullness and gas.
Coincidentally, also in 1932 Dr. Francis Pottenger began a ten year study that showed cats fed raw food diets maintained health and vigor whereas, cats consuming cooked diets exhibited evidence of degenerative disease. Pottenger's data supported my theories that raw food contains a vital factor no longer present in cooked food... ENZYMES!
Today, enzyme supplements have come a long way. From assisting in digestion to combating inflammation - enzymes very well may be the next big thing in medicine and logetivity...