Digestive enzymes are energized protein molecules secreted in the gastrointestinal tract for the absorption of nutrients in the food. There are many digestive enzymes, 22 of which are produced in the body and the others are normally present in the in their raw and fresh form. Exogenous digestive enzymes can be found in grains, fruits, meats, and vegetables. These enzymes are very sensitive as they can be destroyed and washed out during cooking, improper storage, and exposure to extreme sunlight. In cases when there is low intake of digestive enzymes, the body needs to work extra to properly digest food leading to stress and even digestive problems. To correct instances of Digestive enzymes deficiency, Digestive enzymes are now produced as dietary supplements. These supplements do not just promote good digestion but also are associated to offering the body many benefits as well as preventing and treating many diseases.
The major digestive enzymes are amylase, bromelain, cellulase, lactase, lipase, pancreatin, papaine, pepsin, chymotrypsin, and trypsin. Each of them acts on specific foods and is responsible of specific enzyme function.
- Amylase is the enzyme responsible for the breakdown of carbohydrates into simple sugars that the body can use.
- Bromelain is an enzyme found in some fruits like pineapple that is responsible for the breakdown of proteins like collagen and muscle fiber.
- Cellulase acts on cellulose and breaks it down to glucose, the sugar form used by the brain and other major organs of the body for proper functioning.
- Chemotrypsin is also one of the proteolases that breaks down protein to polypeptides and amino acids.
- Lactase is an important digestive that converts Lactose, the carbohydrate present in milk and dairy products to glucose and galactose.
- Lipase is secreted by the pancreas. This enzyme is responsible in breaking down triglycerides to fatty acids.
- Pancreatin is an enzyme formed with the mixture of amylases, lipases, and proteases.
- Papaine is the enzyme found in the papaya fruit. It has the ability of converting proteins to oligopeptides and amino acids.
- Pepsin is found in gastric juices that act on the hydrolysis of proteins to peptides in the stomach.
- Trypsin acts by hydrolyzing the peptide bonds of the amino acids arginine and lysine.
Other Digestive Enzymes Benefits
- Digestive enzymes increase energy levels. As these enzymes promote proper digestion, it enables the body to extract all the nutrients present in the food for more energy.
- Digestive enzymes improve cases of malnutrition.
- Digestive enzymes reduce incidence and recurrence of food allergies.
- According to studies, enzyme therapy using digestive enzyme supplements is effective in treating many health conditions including chronic candidiasis, celiac disease, osteoarthritis, crohn’s disease, hepatitis C, inflammation, muscle strain and sprain, multiple sclerosis, asthma, bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
