I am wondering if I should be taking an enzyme with my diet. What are your thoughts? —Kelly, Los Feliz

Yes. Enzymes are designed to ensure that you absorb the full nutritional value of your food. Enzymes support your body’s systems for digestion of multiple food groups. Carbohydrate examples: breads, pastas, sugars and potatoes; protein: chicken, fish, beef; fats: that’s going to be oils containing both saturated and unsaturated. You also have your fibers: fruits, vegetables and, of course, your cereals and grains—bran cereal, oats and breads. I suggest taking an enzyme with every meal. If you are going to be consuming a fatty meal, I would suggest taking two enzymes.

How often do I need to be eating to achieve more muscle mass? —Zach, Hlywd

I always suggest eating every three hours. Waiting four or more hours will put stress on the body resulting in the metabolism slowing down and the body going into a catabolic state (the body eating itself/muscle). You have breakfast, lunch and dinner. I would incorporate a snack/meal between breakfast and lunch and one more between lunch and dinner. I like to have a protein shake 45-60 minutes before bed. This will allow the muscle to feed, maintaining an active metabolism and a prevention of the body from going into a fasting mode.

I workout five to six days per week, but my nutrition I know could be better. I want the best of both worlds. Can I eat whatever I want and still get my fitness results? —Stephen, Long Beach

I wish we could eat whatever we want and obtain the body we desire. Unfortunately, nutrition is really the key factor. I call it 80/20—80 percent nutrition and 20 percent working out. Understanding the body and nutrition is like understanding the components of an automobile. If you neglect putting in or keeping accurate levels of coolant, oil and gasoline, good luck with the life of the automobile. We need to fill our bodies with lean meats, whole grains and vegetables. Establishing a pattern of healthy eating will put your body in alignment to get the fitness results you want. You are what you eat, so treat your body right. If you’re good to your body, your body in return will be good to you.

Email your fitness questions to aaron@aaronsavvy.com.