Facts on Food Enzymes

Food enzymes are also known as digestive enzymes. Digestive enzymes help with digestion, the process of breaking down food into energy to be used by the body. There are different digestive enzymes for carbohydrates, protein and fat. The body manufactures digestive enzymes, but some diseases may require supplementation with synthetic digestive enzymes.

Enzymes

Authors J. Thompson and M. Manore write in "Nutrition: An Applied Approach," that enzymes are complex proteins that facilitate and speed up chemical reactions. Enzymes can help produce new substances or break down substances. The body makes hundreds of different types of enzymes. Digestive enzymes can be excreted anywhere along the digestive tract and help breakdown macronutrients---carbohydrates, protein and fat---into smaller molecules that the body utilizes for energy.

Carbohydrate Enzymes

The primary enzymes responsible for carbohydrates digestion include salivary amylase and pancreatic amylase, according to Clinton Community College. Carbohydrates include starches and grain products like bread, rice, pasta and cereal. Salivary amylase is present in saliva and works to digest carbohydrates in the mouth. Pancreatic amylase is manufactured by the pancreas and deposited in the small intestine to complete carbohydrate digestion.

Protein Enzymes

According to "Nutrition: An Applied Approach," pepsin is one of the primary enzymes used to digest proteins. Foods that contain protein include meat, poultry, fish, beans, legumes, nuts and dairy products. Pepsin is excreted by the stomach to digest proteins. Other enzymes that help digest proteins include pancreatic proteases, enzymes that are manufactured by the pancreas and used in the small intestine.

Lipid Enzymes

There are two types of lipids---fat and oil. Fats are solid lipids like butter, lard and fat from meat. Oils are liquid lipids like vegetable oils. The main enzyme responsible for lipid digestion is pancreatic lipase, according to "Nutrition: An Applied Approach." Pancreatic lipase is manufactured by the pancreas and used in the small intestine. Gastric lipase, an enzyme excreted by the stomach, has a minimal role in lipid digestion.

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, lipase supplements may benefit people with cystic fibrosis, Crohn's disease and celiac disease, conditions that are associated with inadequate production of pancreatic lipase. Lipase supplements are usually derived from animal enzymes and come in a tablet or capsule form. Side effects of supplemental lipase include interaction with prescription medications and supplements, nausea and upset stomach.

Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis occurs when the pancreas gets inflamed. According to the National Institutes of Health, or NIH, pancreatic enzymes can attack and damage pancreatic tissue during acute and chronic cases of pancreatitis. The NIH says patients with acute pancreatitis should refrain from eating or drinking for a few days to allow the pancreas to rest and minimize the activity of pancreatic enzymes. Chronic pancreatitis can result in malnutrition and weight loss because not enough pancreatic enzymes are excreted to digest foods, which results in malabsorption of nutrients. Chronic pancreatitis may require that synthetic pancreatic enzymes be taken with every meal.

Supplements

Enzyme supplements have been used to treat digestive disorders, cancer and disorders of the pancreas. Alternative medicine practitioners have also promoted digestive enzyme supplements for ulcers, food allergies, immunity, circulation, weight loss and arthritis. According to the American Cancer Society, there is mixed evidence supporting the use of enzymes to treat cancer. There is also little information regarding the safety of enzyme supplements. In general, dietary supplements should not be taken without a physician's consent because they are not federally regulated and can have side effects.