Why Supplementing Digestive Enzymes Is Necessary for Most People?

Enzymes are proteins with catalytic functions in organisms. The distinguishing feature of enzymes is that they have a high degree of catalytic function and specificity, and the activity of enzymes can be adjusted, which is closely related to the conversion of different energy forms. Up to now, there are nearly 2,000 known enzymes. Digestive enzyme is one of them. It is mainly secreted by the digestive glands and digestive system that has a digestive effect. Digestive enzymes can be roughly divided into proteases, amylases, lipases, and cellulases according to different digestion objects.

Digestive enzymes are substances contained in the digestive juice secreted by the human digestive organs and are a kind of protein. Its main function is to decompose food into small molecular substances that the human body can absorb. All enzymes are specific, one enzyme only catalyzes one type of chemical reaction, so there are many kinds of digestive enzymes. Digestive enzymes are biologically active and are greatly affected by the external environment (temperature, humidity, pH).

Digestive enzymes are secreted along the digestive tract to break down food into nutrients and waste. Some enzymes are secreted by the salivary glands, gastrointestinal wall and liver and gallbladder, but the main producer of digestive enzymes in the pancreas. The pancreas is a gland about 6 inches long, shaped like a flat pear, located below and behind the stomach. It discharges digestive enzymes in the first part of the small intestine. When food enters the stomach, the pancreas begins to release enzymes into the duct connected to the bile duct, and then into the small intestine.

Why is supplementing digestive enzymes important?

Many people with digestive problems may not be able to secrete enough active digestive enzymes or need extra help. Nearly one-third of adults suffer from digestive diseases. In clinical studies, digestive enzyme supplements have been proven to:

1. Help alleviate bad symptoms. Improper digestion of food is an important factor that causes digestive problems (such as flatulence, bloating, occasional fever and/or indigestion, changes in bowel function).

1. Soothes indigestion. If food is not digested properly, it can irritate or even damage the sensitive intestinal wall. Over time, this stimulus may reduce our ability to digest and inhibit our ability to benefit from the food we eat.

1. Improve microbial flora and bowel function. Promoting proper digestion can create a healthy intestinal environment and help relieve occasional constipation and irregular bowel movements.

For many years, the main source of supplementary digestive enzymes is porcine pancreas (pancreatin), including enzymes such as trypsin and chymotrypsin. The current development of microorganisms and plant enzymes has revolutionized enzyme therapy. They have significant advantages over animal enzymes, not only the most stable, but also the most active. This means that they can better maintain their functions in the harsh environment of the intestine and have higher enzyme activity. Compared with pancreatic enzymes, they can break down more fat, protein, carbohydrates and other compounds in food, and they have a wider pH range than other sources.

Plant sources (such as papain from papaya and bromelain from pineapple) have been around for a long time, and enzymes produced by microorganisms are relatively new, especially yeast from the genus Aspergillus. These enzymes are used as dietary supplements and have a good record of safe use in the food industry. Of all the options, these microbial enzymes are the most effective, which means they can break down more fat, protein and carbohydrates than any other source.

What is the difference between probiotics and digestive enzymes?

Probiotics are living bacteria, and digestive enzymes are active proteins. Both of them can promote digestion, but the digestive enzymes are more immediate. The probiotics have no obvious digestive effect and need to be taken for a long time. However, the digestive enzymes are only useful for a meal and the probiotics can work for one to two weeks. In addition, it is true that the digestive enzymes are mainly pepsin, which mainly plays a role in the stomach. Other enzymes will lose their activity when they enter the stomach.