Introduction
Digestive enzymes are proteins produced by the body to carry out the process of digestion. As many organs are involved in digestion, the enzymes also perform their function in different organs simultaneously. The major digestive enzymes are amylase, lipase, and proteases. Other than these, there are enzymes lactase, sucrase, and diastase. These enzymes are produced in different organs such as the intestine and pancreas and perform different functions.
What Is Digestion?
A complex process is performed by our body in which the food is converted into nutrients. The body uses these nutrients for growth, energy, cell multiplication, and repair. Digestion of food also helps to remove unwanted waste in feces. The organs involved in digestion are the esophagus, stomach, intestines, pancreas, and liver. The major components of these organs that help break down food and digest them are enzymes. Digestive enzymes are the backbone of the digestive system of our body.
What Are Digestive Enzymes?
These are proteins produced by our body to carry out the process of digestion. They help break down food into smaller parts and their further conversion into nutrients like carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and minerals. Digestive enzymes are produced by different organs which are part of the digestive system.
The digestive enzymes are:
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Amylase is produced in the oral cavity (mouth) and pancreas and helps break down complex carbohydrates.
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Lipase is also produced in the pancreas and helps break down fats.
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Proteases are produced in the pancreas and break down protein into simpler forms.
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Lactase: It is secreted by the small intestine. It helps to break down the lactose found in milk and dairy products.
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Sucrase: These enzymes are also secreted by the small intestine and help to break down sucrose sugar.
What Is the Function of Digestive Enzymes?
Amylase: The main function of amylase is to hydrolyze the glycosidic bonds in starch molecules and convert complex carbohydrates into simpler sugars.
There are three classes of amylase enzymes:
- Alpha-Amylase: It is found in humans, plants and animals, and microbes.
- Beta- Amylase: It is found in plants and microbes.
- Gamma- Amylase: It is found in plants and animals.
1) Lipase: It breaks down triglycerides (fats) into free fatty acids and glycerol. It also plays an important role in lipid transport.
Lipase is of different types:
- Hepatic lipases are found in the liver. They degrade triglycerides that remain in intermediate-density lipoprotein (IDL).
- Lipoprotein lipases are present on the vascular endothelial surface. It breaks down the triglycerides circulating from chylomicrons and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL).
- Hormone-sensitive lipases are found in adipocytes.
- Pancreatic lipases are found in the small intestine. It is responsible for breaking down dietary triglycerides.
2) Proteases: These are proteolytic enzymes that break down the protein into amino acids. Apart from this, proteases regulate the localization and activity of many proteins, create new bioactive molecules, contribute to cellular information processing, and amplify molecular signals. As proteases affect the phenomenon mentioned above, their functions include influence on cell proliferation and differentiation, DNA replication and transcription, ovulation and fertilization, and wound repair. Initially, proteases were classified as endopeptidases (target internal peptide bonds) and exopeptidases.
However, based on the mechanism of catalysis, they are classified into six classes:
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Aspartic.
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Glutamic.
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Metalloproteases.
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Cysteine.
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Serine.
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Threonine.
3) Lactase: It is known to break down lactose, a sugar found in milk and milk products. Some individuals do not produce enough lactose and are not able to digest milk or milk products. This can lead to cramps, gas, and diarrhea. In such cases, supplement lactase is advised to compensate for natural lactase.
4) Sucrase: It is also known as invertase. It is found in the small intestine and is responsible for breaking down sucrose into simple sugars glucose and fructose.
What Is Digestive Enzyme Deficiency?
In some individuals, the body cannot produce sufficient digestive enzymes to break down food. In such cases, insufficiency can cause some severe problems. Some of the insufficiency are:
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Lactose Intolerance: When the body cannot produce enough lactase to break down lactose, there is lactose intolerance.
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Congenital Sucrose-Isomaltose Deficiency: It is caused due to production of less sucrase in the fetus's life, leading to difficulties in digesting some sugars like sucrose.
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Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency: Deficiency of pancreatic enzymes such as amylase, lipase, or proteases causing inadequate digestion of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, respectively.
What Is the Difference Between Probiotics and Digestive Enzymes?
Often there is confusion about the role of enzymes and probiotics. However, both of them play a role in digestion in different ways. Probiotics are living bacteria that are considered good bacteria for the human gut. They keep the digestive tract healthy and support the enzymes in their function. However, probiotics cannot digest or break down food particles into simpler forms.
Which Disorders Can Cause Digestive Enzyme Deficiency?
Some diseases in treatment procedures can lead to a shortage of digestive enzymes. These are:
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Gastrointestinal Surgeries: Surgical intervention in part of the gastrointestinal system can alter the production of one or more enzymes depending on the organ involved.
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Cystic Fibrosis: This is an inherited disorder affecting the cells that produce sweat, mucus, and digestive enzymes. It mainly affects the lungs and pancreas. A gene defect leads to thick and sticky secretions from the cells.
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Chronic Pancreatitis: Prolonged inflammation in the pancreas can alter the production of digestive enzymes.
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Pancreatic Cancer: Tumors of malignancies affecting the pancreas can disrupt digestive enzyme secretion.
Which Foods Contain Digestive Enzyme Supplements?
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Pineapple and Papaya: These fruits contain proteases such as bromelain, which help digest protein.
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Mango: Contains amylases which help to break down carbohydrates into sugar.
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Honey: Contains multiple digestive enzymes such as amylases, diastases, invertases, and proteases.
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Ginger: It contains protease zingiber, which digests protein into simpler amino acids.
Conclusion:
Digestive enzymes are proteins that help to digest food particles into simpler particles such as carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. They are secreted mainly by the pancreas and the small intestine. The deficiency of digestive enzymes can lead to many digestive problems. If the body is not capable of producing enough digestive enzymes, supplements can be taken from outside in the form of food or other forms.
