Live–food Nutrition: Nourishyourself from the abundance of Mother Earth
By Nira Schneider

The necessary life supporting process of nutrition starts with suckling at our mother‘s breast and continues as we draw our life force from the all–giving breast of Mother Nature’s live foods (or raw foods).  This means no cooking, no grilling, no steaming, no application of heat of any kind. These foods have live enzymes, minerals, and vitamins. Eating food that is closest to its natural state engenders a tremendous exchange of energy between food and body.

Enzymes are substances that occur naturally in all living things, including the human body.  They are critical for life. Researchers have identified more than 3,000 different enzymes in the human body. Every second of our lives these enzymes are constantly changing and renewing. Our body’s ability to function, to repair when injured, and to ward-off disease is directly related to the strength and numbers of our enzymes. That ‘s why an enzyme deficiency can be so devastating.

Enzymes are the catalysts that make the metabolism in our body possible. A catalyst is a substance that initiates a chemical reaction (metabolism), without them, many of the chemical reactions would never take place. Without enzymes, there would be no breathing, no digestion, no growth, no blood coagulation, no perception of the senses and no reproduction. Our body contains millions of enzymes that continually renew, maintain, and protect us. No person, plant or animal could exist without them.

Vital energy only becomes available because of the role enzymes play in metabolism. Enzymes are responsible for synthesizing, joining together, and duplicating whole chains of amino acids. Because enzymes are catalysts, their effectiveness can be influenced by their environment. An acid or an alkaline environment will effect their activity, as will temperature, concentration of substrate, and inhibitors.

Enzymes are very specific. Each enzyme promotes one type of chemical reaction and one type only. Some enzymes help break down large molecules (the protein, carbohydrates, and fats in our foods) into smaller molecules for digestion. Others are responsible for different functions, such as the storage and release of energy or the processes of respiration, reproduction, vision, and so on.

Nothing can take place without energy and energy cannot be used or produced without enzymes. Enzymes are involved in all bodily functions. In fact, the very existence of each cell depends on complicated chemical reactions that require a constant supply of energy and enzymes. Without energy, cells become disorganized, resulting in illness and death. It is for this reason that the body ‘s energy needs take precedence over all other body requirements.

Cells take energy from the proteins, carbohydrates, and fats that we eat. They do this with the help of the enzymes. Before they reach the cell, practically all proteins are converted into amino acids, fats are converted to fatty acids, and carbohydrates are changed to glucose. The cells oxidize these nutrients, releasing large quantities of energy in the process.

Inside the cell, oxygen reacts chemically with the nutrients under the influence of certain enzymes which control the rate of reactions and direct the released energy toward its proper use. In combination with oxygen, these same foods can release large amounts of energy when burned outside the body in an actual fire. In this instance, the energy is released suddenly and all in the form of heat. For physiological processes, however, the body needs energy, not heat. We need to cause mechanical muscle movement and other body functions to occur. To produce this energy, chemical reaction must be “coupled” with the systems responsible for physiological function. This coupling is achieved through a special energy transfer system and cellular enzymes. Metabolism includes all the physical and chemical processes involved in the activities of life. Enzymes are the means within the cells by which the building up and breaking down processes of metabolism take place.

Enzymes are important for the nervous system, too. Nervous system function is regulated by various neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, dopamine and more. These neurotransmitters are manufactured by the action of enzymes in the brain with the precursor amino acids tryptophan, tyrosine, and choline, respectively. Because the brain cannot make adequate quantities, it must obtain these precursors from the bloodstream. But if the digestive system hasn’t properly broken down the protein into its component amino acids, a deficiency state in the bloodstream will occur.

Most systems in our body need “helpers” to do their work properly. Vitamins and minerals are enzyme helpers. Without them, most enzymes could not function. Because of their importance to enzyme activity, they are classified as coenzymes and cofactors.

Coenzymes are necessary for enzymes to function. Our body can’t make coenzymes; they must be obtained from our food.  Both vitamins and minerals are primarily obtained from foods. Vitamins are either not made in the body or are made in inadequate amounts.

Minerals come from the soil that is the body of the planet, entering plant matter first on the food chain. Herbivorous animals and human vegetarians obtain their minerals from eating plants. 

When we eat raw food we put active enzymes, vitamins and minerals in our body.

Raw foods are digested easily and quickly.  Our body’s vitality won’t be sapped from breaking down hard to digest foods. A raw food diet strengthens the immune system, thereby preventing illness and helping us overcome nagging ailments. The raw path has been used to improve the health of those with arthritis, asthma, high blood pressure, cancer, diabetes, digestive disturbance, menstrual problems, allergies, obesity, skin conditions, heart disease, depression and hormonal imbalances. The aging process can slow. Eyes will become brighter and the voice more clear. Skin and muscle tone will improve. Memory and concentration can become sharper. We will feel much better, have more energy, and need less sleep. We can easily normalize our weight without restricting food intake. Those extra pounds will melt away, without being hungry, and the body will maintain its optimal weight for as long as you stay raw. So, when we eat raw foods we experience a higher state of consciousness, have better health, eat more delicious food, and save time and money. So, why not start to eat raw foods ?  Connecting to the abundance of Mother Earth will connect you to the abundance within yourself.