The Enzyme Factor

Wikipedia definition: Enzymes are mainly proteins, that catalyze chemical reactions.

The Enzyme Factor is a book I read recently about the importance of enzymes - the ones produced in our body and the ones we take from our food. I remembered the biology class from high school when we were learning the most important digestion enzymes. Some of them are protease (for digestion of proteins), amylase (for digestion of carbohidrates), lipase (for digestion of lipids).
There are more than 3000 enzymes, regulating many processes in the body.

The author, Dr. Hiromi Shinaya - a Japanese doctor - gastroenterologist, proposes a theory that the human organism is able to produce primary 'miracle' enzymes - enzymes, which can be turned into any kind of enzymes that the body needs at a certain moment. For example, if we take too much alcohol, the body produces more of the enzyme which deals with the digestion of alcohol and less of an enzyme needed for other body functions. The production of this primary enzymes reduces as people get older, but their depletion also depends on the lifestyle and the food we eat.
Many studies provide data for the confirmation of this theory. So we should make sure we don't misuse this vital function of our bodies.

Here you can read more about the book and Dr Shinaya.
Here you can refresh your knowledge about most important digestion enzymes for the human body. Scroll down to the articles The Power of Enzymes Part I and II.

The Story of Stuff - watch before you head shopping

The Story of Stuff is a very fresh and insightful short film talking about the path of consumer goods: Extraction - Production - Distribution - Consumption - Disposal.

There are some quite amazing things you probably didn't know until now about the 'stuff' you and me are buying every day, every minute, even now online probably.
I loved the simplicity with which the topic is presented. You don't need sophisticated language to raise attention about such an everyday habit/hobby/entertainment/lifestyle as consumption.

Check out the movie here and think twice before you shop - are you also a part of this consumer society that you were planned for?

HOME - a wonderfully touching experience

HOME is an ecological documentary by the French Directors Yann Arthus-Bertrand.

This beautifully made movie was shot from a helicopter and was astonishing with the views and realities it provides.
Powerful words and powerful images deliver the truth of today.

Here are some extracts from the movie:

• It takes:100 l water to produce 1 kg of potatoes; 4000 l for 1 kg rice; 13000 l for 1kg of beef.
• In Las Vegas 800-1000 l of water are consumed per person per day. In contrast 500 mln people live in deserts and use water sparingly.
• Nature had carefully packed Carbon underneath the Earth's surface for millions of years. By extracting oil, we are pumping out all the carbon that made our planet a furnace in the past where no life could exist.

Please watch it and spread the word.
Here you can read more about his foundation Good Planet: http://www.goodplanet.org/en/

The most important thing is that solutions exist. If you don't have time for the whole movie, please check the last 10-15 min, which give the hope that we can restore the balance in our HOME.