The Role of Enzymes in the Digestive System

Food is an important part of our daily needs. It iis where we get the vitamins and nutrients that our bodies require to function well. But before nutrients can be distributed to the various cells in our body, our digestive system still has some work to do in order to convert the food we eat into nutrients. This is where the digestive enzymes play a significant role.

What are Enzymes and How Important Are They?

Enzymes are molecules that act as catalysts to convert other molecules (called substrates) into simpler products. There are over 20 enzymes in the human digestive system, each assigned to a specific task or type of molecule to work on.

If the food taken into the body is not broken down properly, this can result in bloating, diarrhoea, vomiting or abdominal pain. Food does  not break down properly when you eat too fast or too much. In addition, if you have insufficient levels of certain enzymes, as in the case of people suffering from lactose intolerance, your body will have difficulties breaking down certain food compounds, resulting in digestive problems.

Most of the digestion and nutrient absorption process occurs in the small intestine, and anything that the body cannot use is passed on through the large intestine and leaves the body as waste.

Types of Digestive Enzymes

As mentioned, each enzyme works on a specific task and molecule. Here's a list of some of these enzymes and their individual functions:

Amylase – breaks down starch, sugars and carbohydrates in food such as rice and potatoes.
Protease – degrades proteins from eggs, nuts, cheese and meat.
Lipase – breaks down fats in meat, oils, nuts and dairy products.
Lactase – breaks down lactose (sugars mostly found in milk)
Pepsin – digests proteins into peptides
Peptidase – converts proteins into amino acids
Sucrase – breaks down sugars and starches
Maltase – degrades malt sugars
Invertase – converts table sugar

Where Are Enzymes Produced?

From the time you take a bite of your meal and start chewing, an enzyme present in the saliva begins breaking down starches. This is why it is very important that food is chewed well before being swallowed, as chewing aids in breaking up the food components.  Apart from the salivary glands, enzymes are also found in the gastric juice, pancreatic juice and small intestines.

Although our organs secrete digestive chemicals, the amount of enzymes we produce decreases as we age. A healthy diet consisting of fresh, raw fruits and vegetables is a great source of enzymes.

Enzyme Supplements

There are also dietary supplements available in the market that contain enzymes. These enzyme supplements can aid in food digestion and are commonly taken after eating certain food types that cause digestive problems. If you are taking enzyme supplements, pay attention to the dosage directions.

Enzymes also have industrial uses. They are added to various products in the food processing industry, paper industry and brewing industry, among others, in order to control chemical reactions.