women over 40

What Are Enzymes and Why Are They Important for Women Over 40

What are enzymes and why are they so important yet not many doctors or nutritionists discuss with their patients or clients? Have you ever wondered how your body turns the food you eat into energy? It’s like magic, but there’s actually science behind it. The secret lies in tiny proteins called enzymes. Let’s dive into what enzymes are, why they’re so important for everyone—especially women over 40—and how you can keep them working well with the right foods and lifestyle.

What Are Enzymes?

Enzymes are special proteins that act like little helpers in your body. They speed up chemical reactions that are necessary for things like digesting food, repairing cells, and getting rid of toxins. Without enzymes, these processes would happen too slowly for us to survive.

Imagine you’re baking a cake. The ingredients—flour, sugar, eggs—won’t turn into a cake on their own. You need heat from the oven to mix them properly and bake the cake. In your body, enzymes are like the heat in the oven. They make sure everything happens quickly and efficiently.

Why Are Enzymes Crucial for Women Over 40?

As we get older, our bodies start to change. For women over 40, these changes can include slower metabolism, digestive issues, and less efficient cell repair. Enzymes play a big role in these processes, and as we age, the number of enzymes and their activity can decrease. This means your body might not break down food as well, leading to less energy and more digestive problems.

Here’s why enzymes are extra important for women over 40:

Digestion: Enzymes help break down food into nutrients. With fewer enzymes, you might feel bloated or have stomach issues.
Energy: Enzymes help turn the food you eat into energy. Less efficient enzymes mean you might feel tired more often.
Cell Repair: Enzymes help repair and build new cells. As you age, your skin, hair, and overall health depend on efficient cell repair.
Detoxification: Enzymes help remove toxins from your body. This is crucial for maintaining good health and preventing diseases.

Foods to Include in Your Diet

To keep your enzymes working well, you need to eat the right foods. Here are some enzyme-friendly foods that can help:

Pineapple and Papaya: These fruits contain natural enzymes like bromelain and papain, which help with digestion.
Fermented Foods: Foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi are rich in probiotics, which support enzyme activity and gut health.
Raw Vegetables and Fruits: Cooking can destroy enzymes, so eating raw fruits and vegetables can help you get more enzymes.
Avocados: These are rich in healthy fats and contain enzymes that help with digestion.
Ginger and Garlic: These spices can boost enzyme activity and have anti-inflammatory properties.

As always, buy organic when possible or grown locally without pesticides or herbicides.

Foods to Avoid

Some foods can hinder enzyme activity and should be limited:

Processed Foods: These often contain preservatives and artificial ingredients that can disrupt enzyme activity.
Sugar: High sugar intake can lead to inflammation, which can affect enzyme function.
Fried Foods: These can be hard to digest and can slow down enzyme activity. Most oils are genetically modified as well.
Alcohol: Too much alcohol can damage your liver, which produces many enzymes needed for digestion and detoxification.

How Stress Impacts Enzymes

Stress is a big deal when it comes to enzymes. When you’re stressed, your body goes into “fight or flight” mode, and this can affect digestion and enzyme production. Here’s how stress impacts your enzymes:

Reduced Digestive Enzymes: Stress can slow down the production of digestive enzymes, leading to stomach problems.
Increased Toxins: Stress can cause your body to produce more toxins, which your enzymes need to work harder to remove.
Slower Metabolism: Stress hormones can slow down your metabolism, making it harder for your body to use food efficiently.

To keep your enzymes happy, it’s important to manage stress. Here are a few tips:

Exercise Regularly: Physical activity can help reduce stress and boost enzyme activity.
Get Enough Sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night to allow your body to repair and produce enzymes.
Practice Relaxation Techniques: Activities like yoga, meditation, and deep breathing can help lower stress levels.

Conclusion

Enzymes are vital for keeping your body running smoothly, especially as you age. For women over 40, maintaining enzyme health can help with digestion, energy levels, and overall well-being. By including enzyme-friendly foods in your diet, avoiding foods that hinder enzyme activity, and managing stress, you can support your body’s natural processes and stay healthy. So, next time you think about what to eat or how to relax, remember the little helpers in your body—your enzymes—are counting on you!

Losing weight can be tricky, especially for women as we approach mid-life. So I’ve put together my top weight-loss tips for women over 40. As we get older, our metabolism tends to slow down, making it easier to gain weight and harder to lose it. But don’t worry! Here are some simple tips to help you out.

Eat Healthy

One of the most important things you can do is to eat a healthy diet. Fill your plate with lots of fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains. These foods give you the nutrients you need without too many calories. Try to include a variety of colors on your plate. For example, carrots, spinach, blueberries, and tomatoes all have different vitamins and minerals that are good for your body.

Stay Active

Staying active is another key to losing weight. Try to exercise every day. Walking, swimming, or even dancing can help you burn calories and keep your body strong. If you don’t like going to the gym, find activities that you enjoy. Maybe you love gardening or playing with your kids or grandkids. Any movement is better than none, so find ways to stay active that make you happy.

Drink Water

Drinking water is very important. Water helps you stay full and is much better for you than sugary drinks like soda or juice. Try to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. If you find plain water boring, you can add a slice of lemon or cucumber for some extra flavor. Drinking water before meals can also help you eat less because you’ll feel fuller.

Get Enough Sleep

Getting enough sleep is crucial for weight loss. Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night. Good sleep helps your body stay healthy and can make it easier to lose weight. When you’re tired, you might feel hungrier and be more likely to reach for unhealthy snacks. A good night’s sleep can also give you the energy you need to stay active during the day.

Control Portions

Controlling your portions is another effective way to lose weight. Eating smaller portions can help you eat fewer calories. Try using a smaller plate to help with this. Sometimes we eat more than we need just because it’s there. Pay attention to your body and stop eating when you feel full. It’s okay to leave food on your plate if you’re not hungry anymore.

Avoid Junk Food

Avoiding junk food is important. Foods like chips, cookies, and soda have lots of calories but not many nutrients. It’s best to eat these only once in a while. Instead, try to snack on healthy options like fruits, nuts, or yogurt. If you have a sweet tooth, try to satisfy it with natural sugars found in fruits instead of reaching for candy or pastries.

Stay Positive and Self-Talk

Staying positive is crucial. Losing weight can take time, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results right away. Keep trying and stay positive. Remember that every small step you take is a step toward your goal. Celebrate your successes, no matter how small they might seem. Maybe you walked an extra 10 minutes today or chose a salad over a burger. Every healthy choice counts.

Also, listen to your self-talk. Our brain defaults to more negative than positive so be aware of your thoughts. Stating positive mantras helps, such as “I control food. It doesn’t control me.” Or simply stating, “I am finished eating for the night as I’m fully satisfied.” I also like to analyze food and decide whether it harms or heals my body. It’s another tool to help me make the best decisions possible in food choices.

Set Realistic Goals

Setting realistic goals can help you stay on track. Instead of aiming to lose a large amount of weight quickly, set smaller, achievable goals. For example, aim to lose 1-2 pounds a week. This might not seem like much, but it adds up over time and is more sustainable. Plus, reaching your smaller goals can give you the motivation to keep going.

Track Your Progress

Tracking your progress can also be helpful. Keep a journal of what you eat, how much you exercise, and how you feel each day. This can help you see patterns and make adjustments as needed. There are also many apps available that can help you track your food intake and exercise.

Test Your Hormones

Many women begin peri menopause around 40 years or menopause a bit later. It is critical to know which hormones are out of balance. I love to help women with hormone testing. I even take it one step further by testing neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters play a role in regulating hormones. Imbalances can affect conditions like PMS, menopause, and thyroid disorders. Testing can help in creating a comprehensive plan that addresses ways to balance both hormonal and neurotransmitters.

Find Support

Finding support can make a big difference. Whether it’s a friend, family member, or a support group, having someone to share your journey with can help you stay motivated. They can cheer you on when you’re doing well and offer support when you’re struggling.

By following these tips, you can start losing weight and feel healthier and happier. Remember, it’s never too late to take care of yourself! Making small changes in your diet and lifestyle can have a big impact on your health.

Having a personal accountability partner is truly the key to success! If you don’t, that’s what I’m here for. Learn how we can serve you and help you stay accountable to achieve your wellness goals. Comment and share your best weight loss tips or if you’d like to learn more about my gut health reset to help you find natural and permanent solutions to weight-loss.