Nutrition Menubar
GSE
Enzymes "Make it Happen" in the Body
Enzymes - "Make
it happen!"
What are Enzymes?
Composed of amino acids, enzymes arecatalysts in
various processes - for example, in food, plants, laundry detergents,
textile industry, and the human body
• C atalyze biological reactions
that would not normally occur at physiological temperatures
• > 3000 enzymes identified -
each with a specific function.
E.g.
▪Catalase -
breaks down toxic ethanol in alcohol to non-toxic acetic acid
▪ RNApolymerase
- used to transcribe DNA into RNA for making proteins.
▪Lysosomal enzyme
- the garbage disposal in every cell
▪Protease - digests
protein
• Enzymes are relatively large, but their protein
structures are fragile - amino acids in the molecular chain link together
to form certain patterns and shapes, giving enzymes their unique characteristics
and functions. When something disrupts the chain's structure and shape, the enzyme
becomes "denatured"and loses its ability to perform. E.g. exposing them to temperatures >
116 â°F
• Being catalysts, enzymes are not used up in
a reaction
There are three types of enzymes:
(1) Digestive
(extra-cellular enzymes) - help break down food for absorption and transport to
cells
(2) Food based
- enzymes in uncooked foods supply some of the body's enzymes
(3) Metabolic/Systemic
(intra-cellular enzymes) - involved with cell's "in-house"reproductive
and general functions
Your pancreas produces most of the digestive and
metabolic enzymes - obtaining enzymesfrom food lowers the burden on
the pancreas to produce enzymes. Enzymes not used for digestion are then available
for important metabolic processses
Cooked/processed/fatty foods, aging and antibioticsdeplete
body's enzymes
• Enzyme production rate starts
declining around the age of 20 - added to which,age brings a decline
in the stomach's production of hydrochloric acid, which is needed to activate the
stomach's digestive enzymes
(1) DIGESTIVE ENZYMES
Most digestive enzymes are produced in the pancreas
and released throughout the digestive tract - but digestion begins
in the mouth with amylase in saliva breaking down carbs and mastication breaking
down proteins
Enzymes in the digestivesystem -
there are eight primary digestive enzymes, each purposed to help break down different
types of food:
• Protease:Digests protein mostly in the
stomac h (after mastication in the mouth)
• Amylase: Digests carbohydrates; in mouth,
upper stomach, then the small intestine
• Lipase: Digests fats primarily in the
small intestine
• Cellulase: Breaks down fiber
• Maltase: Converts complex sugars from
grains into glucose
• Lactase:Digests milk sugar (lactose)
in dairy products
• Phytase:Helps with overall digestion,
especially B vitamin production
• Sucrase: Digests most sugars
Poor digestion often leads to GI disorders:
• Acid reflux / heartburn
• Constipation / Bloating /Cramping / Flatulence
/ Belching
Chronic malabsorption can lead to any number of illnesses
(2) FOOD ENZYMES
The major reason enzymes levels become depleted is that
we eat mostly processed, irradiated and cooked food devoid of enzymes
(most rendered inactive by exposure to temperatures over 116â° F)
- Raw food (picked ripe)
contains enzymes that help break it down in the upper
stomach - where it sits for 30 to 45 minutes.
In the lower stomach the pancreas excretes more enzymes.
- Cooked, irradiated, processed food does not predigest in
the upper stomach:
• When it reaches the lower stomach, the pancreas
must make extra enzymes to try and break down the food (although cooked food is
already somewhat broken down by the cooking process) -sometimes food can be left
only partially digested.
• Eventually an overworked pancreas is no longer
able to produce an adequate supply of enzymes - resulting in low enzyme levels for
metabolic purposes -i.e. detoxification, energy production and for utilization by
the immune system for fighting disease and eliminating cancer cells
- Pasteurizing dairy products denatures enzymes
This author has concluded that enzymes are better
received from foods such as fresh-made juices and Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) rather
than supplemented - too many enzymes, as provided in a supplement,
can promote a lazy pancreas. It is better to build up the body with nutrients and
empower the pancreas. However, if you insist on a digestive supplement . . .
DIGESTIVE ENZYME SUPPLEMENT
• Digestive enzymes must be taken WITH a meal
• Should include lipase, protease, and amylase
enzymes
• A good DIGESTIVE enzymebrand:
• Hydrochloric acid may need a supplemental
boost too
(3) METABOLIC/SYSTEMIC ENZYMES
Metabolic enzymes are catalysts that speed up METABOLIC processES
in the body
>3000 enzymes identified -
each with a specific function
Each enzyme is described by a sequence of four numbers
preceded by "EC" - The first number broadly classifies the enzyme based on its mechanism.
•EC 1
Oxidoreductases : catalyze
oxidation /reduction
reactions
•EC 2
Transferases :
transfer a
functional group (e.g. a methyl or phosphate group)
•EC 3
Hydrolases :
catalyze the
hydrolysis
of various bonds
•EC 4
Lyases : cleave
various bonds by means other than hydrolysis and oxidation
•EC 5
Isomerases :
catalyze isomerization
changes within a single molecule
•EC 6
Ligases :
join two molecules with
covalent
bonds .
Benefits of metabolic enzymes (which are mainly proteolytic)
in body
• Detoxification
• Energy production
• Fighting disease/infections, healing wounds
• Reduce inflammation
• Oxygen absorption
• Toxic waste removal
• Dissolve clots
• Regulate hormones
• Anti-aging
• Involved in: Circulatory, lymphatic, cardiac,
neurologic, endocrine, renal, hepatic, and reproductive systems
• Maintain skin, bones, joints, muscles
Some enzymes need coenzymes
to function -E.g.CoQ10, magnesium, zinc
SYSTEMIC Proteolytic Enzymes
Most enzymes are proteolytic - meaning they catalyze
the splitting of proteins. These category EC 3.4 enzymes usually act on peptide
bonds between amino acids, in a reaction called dehydration synthesis, which releases
a molecule of water
When available, the
body uses proteolytic enzymes (proteases ) to alleviate many health problems and
address several areas of concern:
• Blood clots
• Cancer
• Scars
• Fibrosis
• Any inflammatory
disease E.g. heart disease, arthitis
• Pain E.g. sports
injuries
• Detoxification / Clean-up (Break down protein
fragments and microbes in blood)
• Immune function
• Anti-aging
• Decrease side-effects
of chemo and radiation
For information on the best way to boost body's proteolytic
enzymes
How
to boost body's systemic proteolytic enzymes