As food travels through your digestive system, your body releases 22 digestive enzymes responsible for breaking down food and extracting nutrients. Enzymes are released at several points in your body, which include in your mouth through saliva, in your stomach, and in your small intestines. Different enzymes are called upon based on the type of food you consume. Increasing digestive enzymes through dietary and supplemental sources can help bring relief from certain ailments such as heartburn and bloating as well as potentially reducing non-digestive problems such as acne. Discuss increasing your digestive enzymes with your physician before starting a supplementation routine.
Supplementation
Digestive enzyme supplements can be manufactured out of animal organs or plants. These supplements are available in powder, capsule or pill form and manufacturers offer specific enzymes designed to aid in specific digestive ailments such as lactose intolerance. The primary purpose of digestive enzyme supplements is to increase the rate of digestion among those with impaired enzyme production. Discuss which supplement is best for you with your physician.
Types of Enzymes
There are five main types of digestive enzymes, responsible for digesting fats, carbohydrates, proteins, sugar and fiber. Proteolytic enzymes are a group of chemicals responsible for breaking down protein. Enzymes such as pepsin, trypsin, chymotrypsin, protease and pancreatin belong to this enzyme family. The primary enzyme responsible for carbohydrate digestion is amylase, and it is produced from glands in your mouth as well an intestinal and pancreatic juices. The lipase enzyme is produced in the pancreas and it is responsible for breaking down dietary fats. Certain weight loss medications, such as orlistat, prohibit the release of lipase to prevent your body from breaking down and absorbing fat. Cellulose and hemicellulase enzymes break down fiber while lactase is responsible for deconstructing sugars.
Dietary Sources
You may naturally increase specific digestive enzymes by eating certain fruits, vegetables and grains. For example, you may increase protein enzymes by eating raw figs, pineapple and papaya. Supporting your body's natural enzyme production may also be done by eating raw foods. Healing Daily suggests eating foods at high temperatures inhibits the activity of enzymes, and may potentially eliminate certain enzymes. The enzyme content in food is also diminished through cooking. By eating raw foods, you are introducing a higher amount of enzymes into your system and existing digestive enzymes are not harmed.
Considerations
Discuss the use of digestive enzyme supplements with your doctor especially if you have a medical condition causing your digestive ailments. If you have certain food allergies, check the sources of enzyme supplements. Upon publication, there is little safety information regarding enzyme supplementation, so use caution when taking digestive enzyme supplements.
