As it turns out, enzymes are like the body's very own power rangers - working at the cellular level to provide energy and nutrition to every cell. Raw foods, like fruits and vegetables contain lots of enzymes, but they're rendered useless when food is cooked, canned, pasteurized or even frozen, because all that processing heats the food above the 118 degree mark.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to tell Girlawhirl that eating fresh fruits and veggies is good for her health (and her waistline), but the information about enzymes and their role in keeping her not just healthy but younger looking as well has definitely piqued her interest.

Here's how it works: enzymes are needed not just for digestion but for all of the chemical reactions in our bodies. It's because of enzymes that everything works, nutrients get delivered to cells, hormones are produced and processes that are essential for life “happen.”  Dr. Edward Howell, who devoted most of his career to researching enzymes, refers to them as the “labor force”  that builds a body. The body can produce enzymes, but the ability to produce them decreases as we get older. Raw foods, often called living foods, contain lots of enzymes that can be used not just for digestion but also for repair work inside the body.

That's why people who eat raw and live foods exclusively tend to look younger and are free from many of the diseases that inevitably seem to come with aging. In a 1991 interview, Dr. Howell said that he believed that enzyme deficiency could lead to premature aging, degenerative diseases and even early death. More current research has shown that upping enzyme intake, usually through supplements, has helped in all kinds of ailments from autism in children to cancer in adults.

Celebrities like Uma Thurman, Natalie Portman and Alicia Silverstone have been sighted on raw food websites as people who are eating more and more raw foods. Carol Alt is a long time raw food enthusiast, and Demi Moore and Donna Karan have been associated with eating raw foods as well. Woody Harrelson is so into raw that he made a movie about it! Girlawhirl knows that she'll never be able to go 100% raw, but she can eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, and use enzyme supplements as well. After all a younger look and healthier body are worth substituting a carrot for a cookie!

For more information on raw foods, live foods and enzymes check out these websites:

Living Foods

One Lucky Duck

Raw Food Media

The Raw Food Detox Diet