Do you remember how your heart skipped a beat the first time you saw your high school sweetheart?
I'm sure he didn't realize it, but he functioned as a catalyst.
And what does this have to do with enzymes?
Simply put, enzymes are catalysts. That is, they speed things up. Enzymes increase the rate at which thousands of biochemical processes occur.
If not for enzymes, some biological processes would occur too slowly for maintaining life.
Why are they important?
[Top] They are important because they speed up the digestive process allowing nutrients to be absorbed quickly. Without these enzymes, the time it takes to digest food would be extended greatly.
Dr. Edward Howell in his book “Enzyme Nutrition” states,
“a person's life span is directly related to the exhaustion of their enzyme potential. And the use of food enzymes decreases that rate of exhaustion, and thus, results in a longer, healthier, and more vital life.”
The human body produces 22 different digestive enzymes with each one acting on a different food.
[Top] First of all, smelling food causes the secretion of amylase by the salivary gland. I'll bet thinking about those steaks you're planning on grilling this weekend does too!
As you chew food, amylase mixes with it. This breaks down starch into glucose when ingesting bread or potatoes.
Through a process known as peristalsis, food moves down the esophagus into the stomach.
The stomach continues predigestion by utilizing amylase and another enzyme produced by the stomach lining.
We're almost done.
Now, the stomach's contents pass through the pyloric valve mixing with pancreatic juices containing amylase, protease, and lipase.
Here the liver introduces another digestive enzyme, bile. The gallbladder temporarily stores bile subsequently squeezing it into the intestines where it assists with breaking down fat.
Nearing the end of our digestive journey, most digested food passes through the walls of the small intestines with the remainder excreted as waste.
Enough of Anatomy 101, huh?
Other Sources
[Top] Digestive enzymes are also found in foods. Highly processed food contains minimal amounts of these enzymes, however.
Additionally, cooking or storing food at temperatures greater than 118 degrees destroys them.
Getting adequate dietary amounts of digestive enzymes requires eating raw food or taking supplementation. Consequently, this helps prevent depletion of the body's own enzymes while simultaneously reducing stress.
Who needs Them
[Top] Some conditions may require enzymatic supplementation.
A doctor may prescribe them for individuals with:
Inflammatory Bowel disease
Pancreatitis
Pancreatic Cancer
Cystic Fibrosis
Celiac disease
Dyspepsia
Primary Biliary Cirrhosis
Total Gastrectomy
Ulcers
Healthy individuals may experience improved digestion from taking these enzymes. They help break down food in the upper part of the stomach with predigestion occurring totally, thereby improving the complete digestive process. Common digestive Enzymes
Bromelain
[Top] Bromelain contains proteases extracted from the pineapple fruit. It is sometimes sold in combination with other enzymes.
Proteolytic enzymes such as Pepsin, Rennin, Trypsin, Pancreatin and Chymotrypsin help with digestion. These enzymes are useful as an anti-inflammatory ingredient.
Papain helps break down proteins. Other enzymes include Superoxide Dismutase and Catalase.
[Top] They are available without prescription and come in capsule, tablet, powder, and liquid forms. They are sold separately or in combination with other enzymes.
