Well, reason I thought I’d become depressed was because of a series of traumatic events occurring at same time. I was wrong. The root cause of my depression lay in ways I reacted to them. One of ways I’d reacted was to blame myself for events I couldn’t control. The more I blamed myself, more I beat myself up. The more I beat myself up, more my self-esteem decreased.

The phrases I have used to briefly illustrate self-deprecating phrases we continually use against self are mild. I’m sure you realize that many people use much stronger phrases than I’ve given here. The point is that these phrases would be totally unacceptable to say to others. You wouldn’t tell a person that they were boring, an effort to be with and that everyone found their company dull and it would be better for everyone else if they kept away from people.

Agreed?

Yet, if I say to people:

“Pay yourself compliments. Accentuate your good in all areas of your life. Write down your good points, your triumphs, your achievements. Remind yourself as often as possible about all good you have done.”

They look at me like I’m an alien and say they’d feel stupid. Or uncomfortable. Or even embarrassed.

Yet they don’t feel any of these emotions when they talk to themselves using emotionally charged, self-deprecating phrases! And like rust upon metal, these phrases gradually erode our self-esteem and our confidence.

OK, here’s bottom-line. I’d like you to inscribe what you are about to read into your mind over and over again until it is permanently etched there:

It is NEVER acceptable to talk to myself in a way I know is inappropriate and even offensive if I spoke in same way to others. Time for me to sign off, but before I do, here’s a phrase I say to myself every single day without fail. Please use it, it is very powerful:

“If you put yourself down, down is where you will stay.”

* probiotics - usually probiotics in an enzyme supplements may be a nice-to-have but are not sufficient to replace a 'good' or 'strong' probiotic (see Bio88+ (Plus) for probiotics list) * vitamins * minerals that may help deliver or transport enzymes (calcium ascorbate, magnesium citrate, zinc or manganese gluconate ) * amino acids * other stuff _ herbs (such as aloe vera powder, ginger root), whole foods, gelatin, additives, preservatives, colorings, dairy, soy, yeast, gluten, sugar, salt, corn, wheat, or hydrogenated oils * potential allergens or food intolerances * ionic minerals – these minerals may help digestive enzymes become two to three times more active and effective

Part 6. Research product and manufacturer

This is always a good idea. Call company or manufacturer and get answers directly. Keep in mind that a company will usually want to paint their products in best light possible. Usually on health issues, they will not deceive you or lie, although this is not guaranteed and does happen. Most probably, they may not be forthcoming in giving you all information you need if that information may dissuade you from purchasing their products. Bluntly ask them to explain why you should buy their product over a competitor’s product. This is not being pushy; it is being practical. People who are proud of their work are very happy to talk about it. If their products do not list FCC units, ask for corresponding values. Have them explain it to your satisfaction. Be cautious about extra things in formulation that you do not necessarily want to pay for.

Then go to one of best sources available for information: Ask others if they have any experience with products. Ask about side-effects and interactions. Find other individuals that have symptoms or a condition similar to your situation. Although parents and other adults have their preferences, they are usually very honest about that. Asking several individuals will give you a much better idea of general satisfaction with product. In end, you are paying for it and your family will be using it. Many issues surround quality of enzymes. Ask about handling, storing, and packaging of enzymes because these all affect enzyme activity. We are interested in activity of enzyme as we ingest it, not as it leaves factory.

Part 7. Understanding enzyme names and activity

Enzymes usually have ending ‘ase.’ Usually, first part of name tells something about what enzyme is working on. A protease would be an enzyme (ase) that works on a protein (prote). A lipase would be an enzyme (ase) that works on lipids (lipids means fat, so this enzyme breaks down fats). Pectase is an enzyme (ase) that works on pectins (a compound found in some fruits such as apples).

Protease is a broad term referring to any enzyme that breaks down proteins. In enzyme business, almost all enzymes from microbial/fungal organisms are actually mixtures (or blends) of many different enzymes. For example, you can get a number of ‘proteases’ available from enzyme brokers with names such as ‘protease 3.0’, ‘alkaline protease’, ‘acid-stable protease’, or ‘protease 4.5’. The enzyme blend called protease 3.0 may also contain amylase, pectinase, and a variety of different peptidases. However, supplier only certifies that blend for units of protease 3.0 which has certain characteristics that make it different from other of supplier’s proteases. These characteristics may refer to a number of things, including its optimum pH or particular affinity to specific substrates.

There are a few main companies in United States that produce core basic enzymes. People making formulations buy what they want, similar to buying ingredients from store and then cooking something special from them. Okay, let’s say a manufacturer purchases three blends of a supplier’s proteases, such as ‘A’, ‘B’, and ‘C.’ Then he mixes two parts of A with six parts of B. Now manufacturer has a ‘distinct and proprietary’ blend, which he decides to call ‘Ultrazymase’ and puts it on his label so that other sneaky manufacturers cannot copy his remarkable formula. The problem is, how do you then convey activity of Ultrazymase? This explains why sometimes you do not get an exact ingredient list – because it is proprietary information of enzyme formulator. Or it may contain a proprietary blend from original supplier, which even formulator does not know exactly, or is not at liberty to disclose. It also explains why you may see a name that sounds like an enzyme because it ends in –ase, but you cannot find it in any research book or with a search engine on Internet. These are usually created names of proprietary blends.

It may seem logical to add as many different proteases in a product as possible to get widest amount of proteins broken down; however, going with, say, more than three or four different proteases may probably be optimal number of different proteases, and may do as much protein breakdown as having smaller amounts of six or seven proteases.

see Enzyme Product Guide at Organic Greens CA below.

Disclaimer: These articles in no way should be taken as medical advice on any product or condition, nor do they constitute in any way medical advice endorsing any specific product, specific result, nor any possible cure for any condition or problem. They are meant as a source of information upon which you may base your decision as to whether or not you should begin using a greens product as a dietary supplement. If in doubt, or if you have questions, you should consult your physician and, if possible, consult a second physician for a possible different opinion. The author bears no responsibility for your decisions nor for outcome of your actions based upon those decisions.