What are Digestive Enzymes?
Digestive enzymes are protein based energized molecules necessary to break down food. What are digestive enzymes for? They are secreted along the gastrointestinal tract so that food nutrients can be absorbed into the bloodstream. What are digestive enzymes in the Human digestive system? They include: proteaseamylaselipasepepsinptyalintrypsin
There are three primary groups of enzymes:
1. DIGESTIVE ENZYMES
How digestive enzymes work---a basic list...
Enzyme type followed by food component it helps to break down:Alpha-galactosidase--- breaks down Carbohydrates in legumes that cause flatulenceAmylase--- breaks down CarbohydratesCellulase--- breaks down Plant fiberGlucoamylase--- breaks down breaks down starches to glucoseInvertase--- breaks down Sucrose (table sugar)Lactase--- breaks down Lactose (milk sugar)Lipase--- breaks down fatsMalt diastase (aka maltose) Disaccharides to monosaccharidesProtease--- breaks down ProteinsBeta-glucanase--- breaks down Beta-glucan, a polysaccaride found in yeast,grains and medicinal mushroomsPectinase--- breaks down Pectin in fruitsPhytase--- breaks down Minerals bound to phytic acid in plantsXylanase--- breaks down Xylan sugars found in corn and other grainsWhat are digestive enzymes supplements used for? Digestive enzyme supplements are used for overcoming enzyme deficiencies such as low lactase production by the body which leads to 'lactose intolerance'. Learn more about how supplementing with digestive enzymes can remove problems like acid indigestion (reflux) and be additionally beneficial to your health..
What are digestive enzymes as a supplement good for?
2. FOOD ENZYMES
Food enzymes are naturally present in all raw foods, providing a source of digestive enzymes when consumed. Raw foods contain protease, amylase, lipase and cellulase to aid in their breakdown after entering the human digestive tract. Naturally-occuring enzymes in raw food are activated by the moisture and heat introduced during mastication. Once active, these enzymes begin the process of pre-digestion as the food moves to the stomach. Pre-digestion continues in the fundus or upper portion of the stomach, sometimes as long as an hour before the food is mixed with gastric secretion and the enzymes are inactivated. In the alkaline environment of the small intestine, the food enzymes return to their active state, contributing to the completion of the digestive process. When enzyme deficient cooked food is consumed, the entire burden of digestion is placed upon the body's digestive system.
3. METABOLIC ENZYMES
Metabolic enzymes are different from digestive enzymes and food enzymes in that they catalyze various chemical reactions within the cells such as detoxification and energy production. When metabolic enzyme activity is inhibited the results can be dramatic. A simple but straight forward example of this are the neuro-toxins in common insect killers people buy to rid themselves of the bugs around the house. These are made of chemicals that inhibit the functioning of the enzymes in the nerve system of a body, insect or otherwise. If there is no enzyme activity in the nervous system, there is no life. This type of product is no different than nerve agents used on humans during war, i.e. agent orange and VX gas. These agents work by inhibiting the enzymes that are driving the nervous system. Again, when there is no enzyme activity, there is no life.

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