Digestive enzymes: what they are and what happens if they are altered

problems ranging from mild indigestion or abdominal swelling to nutritional deficiency of proteins or minerals often do not have their origin in the diet, as one might think, but in the digestive enzymes.

What are digestive enzymes?

Lets start by the beginning. The enzymes are substances of a protein nature present in living organisms and responsible for catalyzing its many chemical reactions, that is, to regulate its speed. Without them, most of these reactions would not occur adequately to sustain life.

If we think about what all bodily functions are the result of thousands of chemical reactionswe can imagine the amount of enzymes in our body.

What function does each type of enzyme have?

Depending on their specific function, there are several types of enzymes..

Digestives are essential for food to be digested and absorbed correctly.

Regulate the breakdown of proteins, carbohydrates and fats, which are large molecules, so that they break down into smaller ones and the nutrients can pass into the bloodstream. Thus, starches and carbohydrates in general end up turning into glucose; fats, in fatty acids and glycerol; proteins, amino acids, etc.

The amylasessecreted in the salivary glands and pancreas, break down carbohydrates: lipases pancreas and intestine break down fats; and the trypsinogen (stomach) and pepsins (pancreas) digest protein.

In the small intestine there are more specific enzymessuch as lactases, which break down lactose.

When can digestive enzymes cause problems?

In principle, a healthy person should not have problems with digestive enzymess. Digestive enzymes are secreted at various points along the digestive tract. His quantity and effectiveness remain more or less constants.

But there are multiple causes that can alter this balance and decrease the amount of enzymes: the age, diseases digestive tract or pancreas operations surgical…

The gastric problemsintestinal infections, repetitive use of some antibiotics or vascular disorders in the intestine can also alter the amount of enzymes.

Pancreatitis causes, for example, that the intestine is not able to absorb nutrients due to a deficiency of pancreatic enzymes. Nutrients are eliminated without being absorbedproducing among other symptoms diarrhea.

What happens when digestive enzymes are altered?

There are circumstances that can alter the synthesis of enzymes or cause their action to be inappropriate, so that they produce bad digestions, meteorism, diarrhea…

In addition, it is believed that an enzymatic problem causes the appearance of substances that could give rise to inflammations, cancerous disorders, allergies and alterations of the organism.

Normally, bad digestions begin to occur, flatulence and abdominal discomfort. These are some of the symptoms, for example, of lactase deficiencythe enzyme that breaks down lactose.

More serious alterations can lead to nutritional deficiencies because they prevent some nutrients from being absorbed.

How do I know if I am missing digestive enzymes?

Is not easy. Digestive disorders can be suffered and the cause is not in the enzymes.

From symptoms such as diarrhea or abdominal pain, some Lab tests lead to the correct diagnosis, always by a specialist. The hydrogen testfor example, analyzes the absorption of carbohydrates.

Are there foods with digestive enzymes?

Yes. Enzymes are substances found in all living things.

some fruits such as papaya, pineapple, avocado or banana have enzymes that can speed up and ease the digestive process some foods, especially those rich in protein. Hence, it is often said that pineapple is digestive.

What diet is appropriate if there is a deficit of digestive enzymes?

A diet that facilitates digestion, with foods rich in enzymes, such as pineapple or papaya.

Better to eat small amounts, slowly, and very soft dishes that avoid burning fats. The effectiveness of this diet will depend on the severity of the disorder.

Are there digestive enzymes only in cooked food?

When the food is raw its enzymatic effect is more intense.

cookingor even Some food additives can deactivate or decrease the enzymatic action. In fact, enzymes are partly responsible for food breaking down over time.

Can digestive enzymes relieve bad digestion?

Enzymes in some foods may help especially when poor digestion is caused by a stressful situation, an unbalanced diet or having chewed quickly.

However, if the problems are caused by a serious disorder in the pancreas or intestine will be more difficult.

What is aspergillus?

It is a fungus from which numerous enzymes are extracted for food and pharmacological use. For example, enzymes that can break down lactose are obtained.

The food industry also uses enzymes as additives, due to their action on some substances: to prevent a juice from being cloudy, modify a flavor, etc.

Are probiotics digestive enzymes?

No. They are microorganisms that contribute to the balance of the intestinal flora and, therefore, to the good condition of the intestine. The bifidobacteria from fermented milk, for example, are probiotics.

Although its positive effect is clear and improves certain aspects of the digestive process, they have nothing to do with enzymes.