raw foods: I am quite familiar with healthy eating, raw foodism, and nutrition (working on a B.S. in nutritional science) though my question needs to be answered by someone with far more insight than myself. I understand what enzymes are, how they work, and am a believer in both digestive therapeutic applications. I am also a fan of the raw food diet for the clean, simple, and 'living' factor, but cringe when I read about raw foodists 'selling' the notion that eating raw foods will increase enzyme activity in the body. As far as I know, our body starts producing enzymes in the form of amylase as soon as we begin to salivate for food. The harsh environment of the stomach denatures most proteins, which includes enzymes. How can we say that the enzymes are still in tact in the stomach on top of saying that they are ready and willing to help break down the foods that they let sit so nicely in front of us before they were consumed?|||Well, this is really an interesting question...and a good one too! Eating raw food can be beneficial in that the food content is still fresh and has not deteriorate or converted to other compounds. Also bacterial activity has not taken a great foothold. Certain things that should be aware of: Not all fresh food are useful, some contain enzymes that can cause bowel irritation, some can be toxic. Also, there are foods that are sprayed with pesticides or preservatives. Yes, stomach acids and other digestive enzymes may also destroy certain enzymes in raw foods. I think it is important to maintain a certain balance when we think of a good and healthy diet. People may also have allergies to enzymes in raw food, or develop long term allergies to rwa food.|||First Amylase only breaks down carbohydrates. Second the stomach doesn't break down all enzymes. However...when you get to your advanced human nutrition classes you will learn more about this. This diet works because of the fiber of fruits and vegetables. It basically goes right through you and has little calories as it it. Fiber has been known to grab cholesterol and soem other fats and pull them from the body. If people live off of fruits and vegetables they will lose weight because there is very few calories in them and they "go through you" pretty fast. I wouldn't promote this diet as a nutritionist. People who are on this diet will lack the fat soluable vitamins such as A, D and E. They will get K from their dark leafy veggies. Their protein stores will be depleted unless they are somehow supplemently their protein. They will have a vitamin b12 deficiency as well as Zinc. Muscle can start to break down also. When people ask you about this diet, you need to explain that glucose is the primary fuel for the brain and lacking this will make people more groggly and not as focuses, plus mention about all the vitamins they will be missing out on.|||Can't help you with this, but I will say that eating raw meat is nasty and is crawling with parasites, and I am sorry but the acids in our stomach cannot kill these parasites. Therefore they will travel all over you body until they reach your brain. Other things raw such and fruits and some vegetables I can understand the benefit of eatin that raw and unprocessed and un cooked....but this girl is not eating no raw, rare mean....ever heard of salmonella.