Digestive Enzymes 101
Enzymes give us life. These biologically active proteins are found in all living cells. Enzymes act to build or break chemical bonds and are responsible for building new molecules or breaking them down.
Digestive enzymes are the molecular superheroes that save the day by breaking down our food into absorbable forms of nutrients for our digestive system. The digestive process involves breaking down food to be used for energy and other vital functions. Many foods contain digestive enzymes, but these superheroes are also produced by several organs in the digestive system, including the pancreas, liver, and small intestine. In this blog, we'll explore the fascinating world of digestive enzymes, understanding their types, functions, sources, and the impact they have on our well-being.
Types of Digestive Enzymes:
Amylase: breaks down carbohydrates into simple sugars.
Protease: breaks down proteins into smaller peptides and amino acids.
Lipase: breaks down fats into fatty acids and glycerol.
Lactase: breaks down lactose, a sugar found in milk and dairy products.
Cellulase: breaks down cellulose, a complex carbohydrate found in plant cell walls.
Maltase: breaks down maltose, a sugar found in grains and malted foods
As mentioned earlier, our organs produce the enzymes we need but we can also obtain these enzymes from external sources. Enzymes produced by the body are known as endogenous enzymes, this includes enzymes from the salivary glands, stomach, pancreas, liver and small intestine. Exogenous enzymes are obtained from external sources, including food and supplements. Examples include papaya (contains papain) and pineapple (contains bromelain).
Digestive Enzyme supplements that supports breaking down foods and contain HCL (stomach acid) for heartburn relief.
When the digestive system is functioning properly, it produces enough digestive enzymes to break down the food we eat. However, certain factors can disrupt the production of enzymes such as age, medications, certain health conditions, and diet. As we age, the production of enzymes decrease, making digestion harder for older individuals. Health conditions affects the liver, small intestine, and pancreas also impact enzyme production. A diet rich in raw and fermented foods supports natural enzyme intake.
Benefits of Digestive Enzymes:
Improved Nutrient Absorption - efficient breakdown of nutrients ensures optimal absorption.
Reduced Digestive Discomfort - alleviates common digestive issues like bloating and gas.
Enhanced Energy Levels - improved nutrient absorption contributes to increased energy.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT DIGESTIVE ENZYMES
Certain enzymes deactivate if the environment’s pH is not optimal.
Fungal enzymes are able to work in a wider range of pH levels because they can withstand the acidity. This is beneficial because acidity levels change throughout the digestive tract. Fungal enzymes remain effective in any pH.
Bromelain, an enzyme in pineapple, or papain, an enzyme in papaya, may be added to enzyme preparations to help break down proteins.
Plant based enzymes work in a wider range of acidity levels (4.5-9.8 pH) than animal enzymes. This means that they can begin to break down protein in the acidic stomach while animal proteases can not.
Animal based enzymes do not survive low stomach acid levels unless they are in a protected capsule- like the one mentioned earlier.
