While the body can make it own enzymes, it must also get them from food. As stated above, heat destroys enzymes, so they must be obtained from raw foods, and for dogs, particularly raw vegetables and raw meat. Enzymes help to construct new muscle tissue, nerve cells, bone and skin. They also promote oxidation and convert poisons and toxins in the body into harmless substances. The three types of enzymes in the body are amylase, protease and lipase.
Amylase helps with breakdown of carbohydrates, protease with proteins and lipase with fat digestion.
Unripe papayas and pineapples are high in proteolytic enzymes, which work on proteins. Other enzymes besides these for proteins are pepsin, trypsin, rennin, pancreatin and chymostrypsin. Proteolytic enzymes are good for reducing inflammation, diseases of the respiratory tract, bronchitis, pneumonia, viral diseases, cancer and arthritis. Bromelain, the enzyme from pineapple, is also helpful for the proper uptake of other supplements. The two major types of essential fatty acids include the omega 6 fatty acids and the omega 3 fatty acids.