Breaking It Down: Digestive Enzymes

The human body produces more than 20 digestive enzymes in various organs and glands. The stomach glands produce gastric enzymes, including peptidase (for proteins), gelatinase (for gelatin/collagen from meats) and gastric lipase (for tributyrin, a butter fat). Meanwhile, the pancreas is responsible for secreting numerous proteases and amylases, including trypsin (a peptidase), pancreatic amylase (for starch and glycogen) and several elastases (for protein elastin). Then, the epithelium in the small intestines creates many peptidases and the more well-known amlyases that break disaccarides into monosaccharides—sucrase for sucrose and glucose, lactase for lactose, and maltase for maltose.

Vegetables and fruits also offers vital enzymes needed to digest foods. For instance, pectinase from the cell walls of plants helps degrade pectin. Enzymes from bacteria are also beneficial for digesting food—phytase helps denature phytic acid found in grains and seeds; cellulose breaks down the indigestible fibers found in plant cell walls. According to Edward Howell, M.D., founder of National Enzyme Co. (NEC), the human body relies on food enzymes to help with digestion and cannot carry the entire load alone; intake of exogenous enzymes from foods or supplements allows the body to concentrate more of its energy on the activity of metabolic enzymes.(1)

Unfortunately, enzymes are destroyed by processing and cooking, meaning many Americans are living a low-enzyme lifestyle. “Enzymes play a crucial role in proper digestion,” said Maday Labradore, director of technical resources, Enzymedica. “Two of the biggest reasons for poor digestion are the inability of our bodies to produce enough enzymes and the lack of digestive enzymes in the foods we eat. As a result of this enzyme deficiency, we suffer from things like gas, bloating, diarrhea or constipation. Supplemental digestive enzymes can assist with enzyme deficiencies by facilitating complete digestion of food, increasing nutrient absorption and eliminating waste. Enzymes work specifically on each component of food so that digestion can proceed in a smooth and efficient way.”

Enzymes continue to be a burgeoning area for research, especially with greater awareness that enzyme deficiencies may be a factor in digestive ailments;(2) however, most of the current research involves the use of enteric-coated pancreatic enzyme supplements.(3) This has piqued interest in research examining non-animal sources, such as microbial and plant enzymes for digestive support.

NEC used proprietary fermentation techniques to develop its Biocore™ line of enzymes, including lipases designed to target digestive problems associated with the high-fat content of a fast food diet, enzymes designed to improve assimilation of carbohydrates, and products geared toward specific GI and digestive conditions such as lactose intolerance. According to a proprietary study from NEC and The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), a blend of fungal proteases, carbohydrases and lipases can improve digestibility and bioaccessibility of proteins and carbohydrates in the lumen of the small intestine in computer-controlled dynamic gastrointestinal models (TIM) of healthy and impaired human digestion.

Sedona Labs is among the companies targeting interest in vegetarian products; its ZymaFlora® Acid Balance Formula addresses the entire digestive function. Lisa Peterson Love, marketing director, Sedona Labs, explained: “It provides specific enzymes needed in the stomach to break down proteins and simple sugars. Plus, it delivers enteric-coated enzymes to the small intestine needed to break down fats and complex carbohydrates and some leftover protein.”

In addition to considering the source of enzymes, consumers should also examine the types of food they are consuming to get optimal benefit. “The type of diet one has should be a major factor in choosing the enzyme mix,” said Mike Smith, sales and marketing manager, Specialty Enzymes & Biochemicals Co. “For example, if your diet is high in grains and legumes, you want to make sure the enzyme blend contains not only cellulose but hemicellulase, which may be written as xylanase and beta-glucanase. Athletes and bodybuilders tend to eat large amounts of protein, no doubt more than their pancreatic proteases can digest. This group should look for enzyme blends that include a blend of strong proteases to increase the hydrolysis proteins and, in turn, provide more amino acids for absorption.”

References
1. Cichoke A. Bromelain: The active enzyme that helps us make the most of what we eat. Keats Publishing Inc., New Canaan, CT, 1998, p.10.

2. DonnellyMT. “Is exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in adult celiac disease a cause of persisting symptoms?” Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2007;25(3):264-71.

3. Suarez F et al. “Pancreatic supplements reduce symptomatic response of healthy subjects to a high fat meal” Digestive Dis Sci. 1999; 44(7):1317-21(5).