How can Enzymes Improve the Digestive System and Your Overall Health - By: John Bradstreet

Enzymes are basically protein molecules. The body naturally produces several thousand of these enzymes each day as well as getting them from the plants and animals that we consume. These molecules function basically as a catalyst; this means that they help the chemical reactions in our bodies to proceed faster. These enzymes fuel many different reactions in our bodies that are essential to it working well. They are responsible for digestion; they aid in cell growth and help us move substances around the body. Enzymes that assist in the digestive process are produced in the salivary glands of the mouth and in the stomach, pancreas and small intestine and are responsible for the digestion of nutrients as well as their absorption, transportation, metabolism and elimination

With the diet that a lot of people eat due to our hectic lifestyles we may not have the proper enzyme balance that we need. We eat diets high in processed foods, refined sugars and meals high in fat and calories. This creates an extra strain and requirements on our bodies to produce the enzymes we need to digest this "mess". Our bodies also produce fewer enzymes as we age. This makes it more difficult to process the foods that we have become used to eating. Have you even known somebody that always enjoyed spicy foods that has problems eating them as they got older? This inability to process the foods that we eat can also lead to illness. We are not getting the nutrients our bodies need because our bodies are not digesting properly.

The fact that we eat a lot of processed foods is important because this destroys a lot of the enzymes present in foods. Enzymes are very heat sensitive; this is why modern food processing methods such as microwaving and pasteurization render them useless. This makes these foods harder to digest. Foods that are cooked rely on the bodies natural enzymes to digest. This is one of the reasons we are told to eat raw vegetables such as we consume in salads. If we are under any stress such as an illness or other health issues our bodies will also produce fewer enzymes.

These are some of the reasons that an enzyme supplement may be in order. They allow our bodies to function more efficiently and to eliminate some of the harmful toxins that build up.

The body uses three main enzymes in the digestive process.

Amylase is responsible for breaking down starches into sugar. It is present in human saliva and is responsible for starting the digestive process. When we eat foods that are high in starches such as potatoes or rice, they may taste a little sweet due to the fact that amylase is breaking down the starch into sugar in our mouths. The pancreas also makes amylase which converts starches into di and trisaccharides which are later converted to glucose to supply us with energy.

Protease is the enzyme that is responsible for digesting the proteins that we eat, which is the most difficult substance to metabolize. This is the main reason why protease is considered one of the more important enzymes that we have. If proteins are not fully digested they can end up in our circulatory system as well as other parts of our bodies.

Lipase is an enzyme responsible for the absorption and digestion of nutrients in the small and large intestines. This digestive enzyme is responsible for breaking down lipids (fats), in particular triglycerides, which are fatty substances in the body that come from fat that we consume. Once these are broken down into smaller components, triglycerides are more easily absorbed in the intestines.

We also use two other helpful enzymes along with these basic three:

Bromelain comes from pineapple and aids in protein digestion

Papain comes from the papaya and is particularly helpful in breaking down meat fibers. Some commercially available meat tenderizers contain this.

Nutritionists believe that enzyme supplements keep the body healthy and are a benefit to everyone. A properly functioning digestive system helps the body fight off disease and infection.

In addition to supporting good overall health enzyme supplementation is beneficial for those individuals already suffering from diseases affecting the digestive system. These include diseases such as cystic fibrosis, diabetes and celiac disease. Improving your overall digestion will help the body better absorb nutrients more effectively and improve overall health.

About the Author

John Bradstreet is an experienced Biochemist with extensive knowledge in nutritional supplementation. He has more than 25 years of increasing responsibility in his field. To learn more about the benefits of enzyme supplementation we have included additional links at the bottom of the page to help educate you on the subject. Or you can subscribe to our Vitamin and Supplement blog.

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