Your body produced digestive enzymes in your digestive tract, and their key role is to break down foods. Thus, digestive enzymes facilitate the absorption of nutrients in your blood for various functions in the body. Your body produces three main types of digestive enzymes: proteases, lipases and amylases. Digestive enzymes are also available as over-the-counter supplements for individuals who require additional amounts of digestive enzymes. If you are considering taking supplements, first talk to your doctor.
Fat Digestion
Lipase is present in your stomach and pancreas, and you can also obtain it from foods that contain fat. The role of lipase is to break down fats and help your body digest them. A supplement that contains lipase reduces the work of the gallbladder, liver and pancreas, organs that break down fats and assist in their optimal digestion. Digestive enzymes help maintain regular bowel movements, and they prevent your body from storing fat and therefore help you lose excess weight.
Protain Digestion
Proteases, also called proteolytic enzymes, are present in the stomach, pancreas and intestinal juices, and their key role is to help your body digest proteins. Although your body manufactures most of these enzymes, you can also find them in some foods---for example, papaya and pineapple. You can make your own enzyme supplement from papaya at home. Simply dry some papaya seeds, crush them in a pepper grinder and add them to the foods you eat.
Sugar Digestion
Amylases are the group of digestive enzymes that help break down carbohydrates. Specific amylases metabolize each type of sugars. For example, lactase helps to break down the sugar in milk, maltase aids in decomposing malt sugar and sucrase breaks down cane or beet sugars, indicates James Balch, M.D., author of " Prescription for Nutritional Healing."
Considerations
Doctors recommend supplementation with digestive enzymes for digestive conditions, particularly indigestion, bloating, heartburn, loss of appetite and stomach or pancreatic insufficiency. People with diabetes have trouble metabolizing sugars as well as proteins and fats, and therefore they may also benefit from taking digestive enzymes.Consult a qualified health care provider to get advice about whether you need to supplement with digestive enzymes. Keep in mind that using digestive enzymes does not replace any prescription drugs you are currently taking for a specific medical condition.
References
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; James Balch, MD et al; 2002
- Enzymedica: Enzymes Benefits
- Pharma Professional Services: Digestive Enzymes; Indications
- Drug Lib: Viokase; Indications
- American Diabetes Association: Diagnosis and Classification of Diabetes Mellitus
- "Complete Book Of Enzyme Therapy"; Anthony Cichoke; 2002
