Your body produces a wide variety of enzymes -- protein molecules that speed up chemical reactions -- to keep your body functioning efficiently. Without enzymes, these life-sustaining processes would not occur. There are two categories of enzymes: metabolic enzymes, which activate cellular reactions and digestive enzymes, which break food down into its component parts in preparation for your body to absorb and utilize them.
Amylase
Digestive enzyme activity starts in your mouth, where amylase enzymes, secreted in your saliva, begins the process of breaking down starches -- long chains of sugars -- into their component sugar molecules. There are several amylase enzymes, each designed for a particular type of sugar. Lactase breaks down the milk sugar lactose, while sucrase breaks down sucrose and maltase breaks down maltose. Amylases are also produced in the pancreas and liver. However, the presence of amylase in saliva is one of the reasons some health experts advise thorough chewing. You derive the most benefit from this enzyme when you chew your food well, allowing more starches to come into contact with the amylase and the amylase more time to break down the carbohydrate molecules.
Pancreatic Enzymes
Most digestive enzymes are produced by the pancreas and secreted into the upper part of the small intestine. These include three enzymes that break down proteins: trypsinogen, chymotrypsinogen and procarboxypeptidase. The enzyme amylase digests carbohydrates, while the enzyme lipase breaks down fats. Only the pancreas secretes lipase, which means that your small intestine is the only place where fats can be broken down. If your pancreas is not functioning properly, or if you eat a very high fat diet, you may tax the ability of your digestive system to fully digest all the fats in your diet. Health problems, such as inadequate absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and fatty stools, can result.
Specificity
Because enzymes are highly specific for a particular molecule, your body has to produce a lot of them to function optimally. Raw and unprocessed foods provide a substantial source of digestive enzymes; however, enzymes are sensitive to temperature and pH and the cooking process, even at low temperatures, or exposure to certain chemicals from other foods, can destroy many of the enzymes. Also, the many highly processed foods in the typical Western diet are devoid of enzymes, requiring your body to make up the difference. Over time, a highly processed food diet lacking in enzymes takes a toll on your digestive system and digestive disorders, such as indigestion and malabsorption, can begin to appear.
Supplements
Enzyme supplements can help improve the function of your digestive tract and keep you healthier. If you have difficulty digesting lactose, a condition known as lactose intolerance, taking lactase as part of a digestive enzyme supplement can help you digest milk and other dairy products more effectively, avoiding unpleasant effects, such as cramping or diarrhea. Similarly, indigestion associated with advanced age or a yeast overgrowth in the digestive tract are good indications of a need for enzyme supplementation.
