What do enzymes do in my body after I take them?
Did you know your body produces enzymes naturally?
So what are enzymes and how do they work?
Digestive enzymes play a crucial role in breaking down the food we eat, allowing our bodies to absorb essential nutrients. Let's explore the natural digestive enzymes our bodies produce and how they function.
Natural Digestive Enzymes
The human body produces several types of digestive enzymes:
1. Amylases: Break down carbohydrates and starches into simple sugars
2. Lipases: Break down fats into fatty acids and glycerol
3. Proteases: Break down proteins into smaller peptides and amino acids
These enzymes are produced by various organs in the digestive system:
- Salivary glands: Produce salivary amylase
- Stomach: Produces pepsin (a protease)
- Pancreas: Produces pancreatic amylase, lipase, and proteases (trypsin, chymotrypsin)
- Small intestine: Produces additional enzymes like lactase, maltase, and sucrase
How Digestive Enzymes Work
Digestive enzymes function by catalyzing specific chemical reactions that break down larger food molecules into smaller, absorbable components[1]. For example:
- Amylase breaks the glycosidic bonds in carbohydrate molecules
- Lipase breaks down triglycerides into free fatty acids and glycerol
- Proteases break peptide bonds in proteins, converting them into smaller peptides and amino acids
This process of breaking down food molecules allows the body to absorb nutrients more efficiently through the intestinal wall.
Scientific Evidence
Several human studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of digestive enzymes:
1. A study on individuals with pancreatic insufficiency found that taking bromelain (a protease enzyme) combined with a pancreatic enzyme supplement improved digestion more than the enzyme supplement alone[2].
2. Research on older adults showed that a multi-enzyme blend effectively released nutrients from a balanced meal better than control conditions, particularly during the acidic gastric phase[3].
3. A clinical trial involving individuals with functional dyspepsia demonstrated that treatment with digestive enzymes was effective in reducing symptoms and improving sleep quality[13].
In conclusion, while our bodies naturally produce digestive enzymes, supplementation may be beneficial in certain cases. However, it's essential to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any enzyme supplementation regimen.
Sources
[1] Digestive enzymes: Types, how they work, and who may require them https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/digestive-enzymes
[2] What Are Digestive Enzymes: Natural Sources and Supplements https://www.webmd.com/diet/what-are-digestive-enzymes
[3] Digestive Enzyme Supplementation in Gastrointestinal Diseases https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4923703/
[4] CLINICAL TRIAL article - Frontiers https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2024.1357803/full
[5] Physiology, Digestion - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK544242/
[6] Do digestive enzyme supplements really work? Experts weigh in https://edition.cnn.com/2024/02/15/health/digestive-enzyme-supplements-pros-cons-wellness/index.html
[7] Human pancreatic digestive enzymes - PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17205399/
[8] A Complete Guide to Digestive Enzymes and How They Work https://www.healthline.com/health/exocrine-pancreatic-insufficiency/the-role-of-digestive-enzymes-in-gi-disorders
[9] What Are Digestive Enzymes: Foods and Supplements https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-are-digestive-enzymes-1945036
[10] Digestive enzymes: How supplements like Lactaid and Beano can ... https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/digestive-enzymes-how-supplements-like-lactaid-and-beano-can-help-with-digestion
[11] 9 Foods That Are Naturally High in Digestive Enzyme - EatingWell https://www.eatingwell.com/article/8041356/foods-high-in-digestive-enzymes/
[12] What Are Enzymes, Pancreas, Digestion & Liver Function https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/21532-enzymes
[13] Efficacy of digestive enzyme supplementation in functional dyspepsia https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37976892/
[14] Gut reaction: A limited role for digestive enzyme supplements https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/gut-reaction-a-limited-role-for-digestive-enzyme-supplements
[15] Can taking enzyme supplements help soothe my bloating? https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/can-taking-enzyme-supplements-help-soothe-my-bloating
[16] 12 Foods That Contain Natural Digestive Enzymes - MedicineNet https://www.medicinenet.com/12_foods_that_contain_natural_digestive_enzymes/article.htm
[17] 12 Foods That Contain Natural Digestive Enzymes - Healthline https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/natural-digestive-enzymes
[18] Understanding Digestive Enzymes: Why Are They Important? https://www.healthline.com/health/why-are-enzymes-important
[19] Digestive Enzyme Supplements - Today's Dietitian Magazine https://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/0224p20.shtml
[20] BIO-CAT Publishes Foundational Study of Digestive Enzyme Function https://www.biospace.com/bio-cat-publishes-foundational-study-of-digestive-enzyme-function
[21] Meta-analysis identifies the effect of dietary multi-enzyme ... - Nature https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-86648-7
[22] A Gluten-Digesting Enzyme Passes Phase 1 Trial https://celiac.org/a-gluten-digesting-enzyme-passes-phase-1-trial/
[23] Digestive Enzymes and Digestive Enzyme Supplements https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/digestive-enzymes-and-digestive-enzyme-supplements
