Enzymes……….
Digestive Enzymes assist the body in the
breakdown of food. Different enzymes
with different functions are produced in
particular areas of the digestive tract .
• Incomplete digestion may be a contributing
factor in the development of many ailments
including flatulence, bloating, belching, food
allergies, nausea, bad breath, bowel problems
and stomach disorders.
• Digestive enzymes are primarily responsible for
the chemical breakdown of food and constitute a
large portion of digestive secretions. The human
body makes approximately 22 different enzymes
that are involved in digestion.
Mouth
• Saliva contains the enzyme salivary
amylase. This enzymes breaks starch into
smaller sugars and is stimulated by
chewing. It is important to chew food
thoroughly as this is the first stage of the
digestive process.
Stomach
• The stomach is responsible for the digestion of protein
and ionisation of minerals. The parietal cells of the
stomach secrete hydrochloric acid (gastric acid).
Hydrochloric acid, along with pepsin, breaks down
proteins to their individual amino acids.
• Deficient hydrochloric acid secretion (hypochlorhydria)
causes malabsorption and may result in a number of
signs and symptoms. These include bloating, belching,
flatulence, nausea, a sense of fullness immediately after
meals, indigestion, diarrhoea, constipation, food
allergies, anaemia (Folic acid, vitamin B12 and iron will
not be absorbed if there is too little acid), undigested
food in stool, chronic intestinal parasites, abnormal flora
and weak, peeling and cracked fingernails.
• A number of diseases have been
associated with low gastric acidity. They
include asthma, coeliac disease, eczema,
osteoporosis and pernicious anaemia. An
excess of hydrochloric acid
(hyperchlorhydria) can cause heartburn,
gas and may lead to ulcers.
Small Intestine
• The small intestine is divided into three segments and
secretes a variety of digestive substances. The small
intestine also receives secretions and enzymes from the
pancreas, liver and the gallbladder. The first section, the
duodenum, is primarily responsible for the absorption of
minerals. The second section, the jejunum, absorbs
water-soluble vitamins, protein and carbohydrates. The
ileum is the final section of the small intestine and
absorbs fat-soluble vitamins, fat, cholesterol and bile
salts.
Pancreas
• The pancreas produces digestive enzymes that act in
the small intestine. These enzymes play a major role in
digestion. The pancreas secretes about one and a half
litres of pancreatic juice a day. The enzymes produced
by the pancreas include;
- Lipases - Lipases function in the digestion of fats, oils
and fat-soluble vitamins.
- Amylases - These break down starch molecules into
smaller sugars. Amylases also break down
carbohydrates into maltose.
- Proteases - are responsible for breaking down protein
into smaller amino acids. Proteases include trypsin,
chromotrypsin and carboxypeptidase. Proteases are also
responsible for keeping the small intestine free from
parasites (intestinal worms, yeast overgrowth and
bacteria). A lack of proteases can cause incomplete
digestion that can lead to allergies and the formation of
toxins.
Liver and Gall Bladder
• The liver produces bile that is either stored
by the gallbladder or secreted into the
small intestine. Bile emulsifies fats and fatsoluble vitamins. It also helps keep the
small intestine free from parasites.
The liver metabolises proteins,
carbohydrates and cholesterol and is
responsible for the detoxification of toxins,
drugs and hormones.
PLANT ENZYMES
• Plant enzymes also act in the stomach. They occur
naturally in food or are taken as a supplement. They are
essential for predigesting food and work with the
body's own enzymes. Common plant enzymes
are• Bromelain - a protein-digesting enzyme found in
pineapples, primarily the core. Bromelain is called a
proteolytic enzyme. This means it can prevent and help
tissue damage, inflammation and swelling.
- Papain- a protein-digesting enzyme extracted from
pawpaw fruit (pawpaw). Papain can also decrease
inflammation and tissue damage.