Enzymes and digestion are not just companions; they are in perfect harmony. An enzyme, a form of protein within a cell, is the silent partner responsible for creating chemical reactions in the body. Like a well-tuned orchestra, enzymes can speed up the rate of a chemical reaction to help support life.
Enzymes are produced naturally in the body. They play a crucial role in digestion by breaking down food particles. However, that is not all they help with. Enzymes also aid muscle building and destroy toxins, but this time, we shall focus on the connection between enzymes and digestion.
How Do Digestive Enzymes Work?
The connection between enzymes and digestion is one of the reasons man has continued to exist. The human body finds it hard to digest food without enzymes, which work in various ways and can be found in different areas of the body.
Below are some places enzymes can be found and what they do around those areas:
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Saliva
The saliva in the mouth is loaded with digestive enzymes, including amylase and lipase, which begin breaking down carbohydrates and fats as soon as chewing starts.
Stomach
Hydrochloric acid and enzymes called proteases break down proteins into smaller chains of amino acids.
Pancreas
The pancreas releases enzymes and a bicarbonate buffer that reduces the acidity of digested food, allowing more enzymes to work.
Small intestine
The small intestine contains enzymes that break down carbohydrates and peptides. The wall of the small intestine also produces lactase, sucrase, and maltase.
What Are the 7 Digestive Enzymes?
There are many different digestive enzymes, but three main types are produced in the pancreas, which plays a big role in the digestive process. These digestive enzymes are categorized based on the reactions they help catalyze. Below is a digestive enzyme list expanding on the three major digestive enzymes.
Amylase
Amylase production occurs primarily in the pancreas. However, it can also be found in the salivary glands and small intestine. Ptyalin, a type of amylase, is created in the salivary glands and starts acting on starches while food is still being chewed. It continues to work even after you swallow.
Amylase made in the pancreas mostly goes to the small intestine, where it continues to break down starch molecules into sugars digested into glucose by other enzymes.
Protease
The stomach, pancreas, and small intestine produce protease. Most of the chemical reactions occur in the stomach and small intestine. Pepsin is the main digestive enzyme in the gut that acts on proteins, but several other pancreatic enzymes also become active when protein molecules reach the small intestine.
Lipase
The pancreas and small intestine produce lipase. Lipids play many roles, including long-term energy storage and supporting cellular health. A type of lipase also exists in breast milk to help a baby more easily digest fat molecules when nursing.
Other digestive enzymes, besides the three major ones listed above, include lactase, maltase, sucrase, alpha-galactosidase, and cellulase.
What Is the Best Supplement To Help Digestion?
Many digestive enzyme supplements aid digestion, but not all work. The best digestive enzyme supplements that experts swear by include Prebiotics, Apple Cider Vinegar, Psyllium Husk, Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Ginger, and Curcumin.
What Foods Are High in Digestive Enzymes?
Foods containing natural digestive enzymes are the best way to increase digestive enzymes without using supplements. Some of these foods include pineapples, papayas, mangoes, honey, bananas, avocados, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, miso, kiwifruit and ginger.
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Which Enzymes Are Best for Weight Loss?
Lipase is the best digestive enzyme for weight loss. It helps by boosting fat absorption by breaking it down into glycerol and free fatty acids. Some studies have also shown that supplementing with lipase may decrease feelings of fullness.
Other enzymes that aid weight loss aside from lipase include lactase, turmeric curcumin, bromelain, and pancreatic enzymes.
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