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To classify the raw food we eat every day into nutrients requires the presence of an intermediate, which is digestive enzymes. Through the article we will learn what it is, what are its uses for health and where we can supplement it.
Learn about the role of enzymes in the body?
What are digestive enzymes?
Digestive enzymes
Digestive enzymes, also known as digestive enzymes, are found in the salivary glands, stomach, pancreas, small intestine, and intestinal microflora. Digestive enzymes play an important role in breaking down food, turning nutrients into substances that can be absorbed by the digestive tract by speeding up chemical reactions.
Digestive enzymes not only exist naturally in the human body but also in some foods.
Digestive enzymes
Digestive enzymes
Different enzymes have different functions to break down nutrients:
- Amylase enzyme breaks down carbohydrates and starches.
- Protease – enzyme that digests proteins.
- Lipase breaks down fats.
- Bromelain and other proteolytic papain are found in fruits such as pineapple and papaya.
- Lactase breaks down lactose – a type of milk sugar.
- Sucrase converts sucrose into the simple sugars fructose and glucose.
- Cellulase and hemicellulase convert carbohydrates and fibers.
- Pectinase breaks down carbohydrates and indigestible fiber from plants.
- Alpha-galactosidase breaks down carbohydrates derived from vegetables and legumes.
Role of enzymes in the body
Helps to easily absorb nutrients
Digestive enzymes make it easier to absorb nutrients
The main and most important function of digestive enzymes is to break down food into nutrients then digest and absorb them more easily.
This will help provide enough energy needed for the body to function every day, strengthen the immune system and slow down the aging process so that the body is increasingly healthy and repels diseases.
Prevention of digestive problems
Lack of digestive enzymes in the pancreas causes constipation
Each enzyme is responsible for breaking down different nutrients for the body to absorb. Therefore, a deficiency of digestive enzymes will easily lead to symptoms such as lactose intolerance, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency and gastrointestinal diseases.
Typically, digestive enzymes in the pancreas help break down and digest fats, proteins, and starches. The production of enough enzymes in the pancreas will help you prevent diseases such as indigestion, chronic constipation, …
In addition, having enough digestive enzymes in the body helps prevent bowel-related diseases such as leaky gut or irritable bowel syndrome.
How to supplement with digestive enzymes?
Supplement with medicine
Digestive enzyme supplements
Digestive enzyme supplements are sold as liquids, tablets, and powders, often derived from animals, plants, or beneficial bacteria.
Enzyme supplements that are prescribed by prescription for pancreatic conditions such as chronic pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer usually include Creon, Pancreaze, Zenpep, Ultresa, Viokace and Pert Zye.
The non-prescription types used include:
- Lactose supplements: Used to help people with lactose intolerance digest dairy products.
- Bromelain: A powerful protease extracted from the fruit or stem of the pineapple plant. The drug comes in the form of capsules, tablets or powders, which aid in the digestion of proteins.
- Papain: Extracted from papaya, helps digest protein and papain in powder form can be used as a meat tenderizer.
However, over-the-counter digestive enzyme supplements are not regulated by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), so their effectiveness has not been accurately tested. Before using this drug, you should carefully research and consult your doctor before buying.
Natural source of digestive enzymes
Natural source of digestive enzymes
Digestive enzymes are abundant in natural foods, especially tropical fruits and fermented vegetables. For the best absorption of digestive enzymes, you should consume them raw because they have not been reduced or destroyed by heat. Below are some foods that contain each enzyme with its respective functions:
| Food | Enzymes | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Pineapple | Proteases (Bromelain) | Digest proteins, tenderize hard meats |
| Papaya | Proteases (papain) | Protein digestion and meat tenderizing |
| Kiwi | Proteases (actinidain) | Supports the digestion of food and increases intestinal motility |
| Mango | Amylases | Break down carbohydrates from starch into simple sugars, especially in ripe mangoes |
| Banana | Amylases, glucosidases | Complex carbohydrate breakdown |
| Pure honey | Amylases, diastases, invertases, proteases | Break down starch, sugar and protein |
| Butter | Lipases | Helps with digestion and fat metabolism |
| Kefir | Lipases, lactases, proteases | Helps digest fermented milk and can be tolerated by some people with lactose intolerance |
| Sauerkraut, kimchi | Lipases, proteases | Increase the content of digestive enzymes and beneficial bacteria for the digestive system |
| Miso | Lactase, lipase, protease, amylases | Miso contains enzymes that break down lactose found in milk, fats, proteins, and carbohydrates |
| Ginger | Proteases (zingibain) | Break down protein, reduce nausea |
This is an introduction to digestive enzymes, their uses and sources of digestive enzymes for the body. Pay attention to the types of foods and the enzyme function of each to provide enough enzymes your body needs.
Source: Vinmec.com
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