Enzymes

There are thousands of in the human body Enzymes active. Each and every one of them has its own specific task, and without it our body could not function. That means: enzymes are vital, missing enzymes make you sick.

What are enzymes

Generally speaking, are Enzymes chemical agents that enable all metabolic processes in the human organism. They are able to build, break down or convert other substances.

In terms of structure, they are proteins, i.e. protein. They used to be known as “ferment” and the term “fermented food” is still common. In these foods, such as fresh sauerkraut or kefir, the enzymes active in them stimulate metabolic processes that make the product more digestible.

One of the tasks of the enzymes becomes immediately clear: They are absolutely necessary for good digestion. A distinction is made between enzymes that the human body can produce itself (digestive enzymes and metabolic enzymes) and those that are ingested with food (nutritional enzymes). The names of most enzymes end on the syllable "-ase" (e.g. amylase), some exceptions on the syllable "-in" (e.g. bromelain).

Medical & health functions, tasks & meanings

Enzymes are central to health. They help the body to break down the individual food components, i.e. to digest them, and to absorb the nutrients into the organism. Certain groups of enzymes have very specific tasks.

Carbohydrate digestion, for example, begins in the mouth with the help of amylases, fat digestion is made possible by lipases, and proteins are broken down by proteases. Depending on the constituent of the food, the digestive enzymes required for this are supplied during the digestive process in the mouth, stomach, intestines or through biliary or pancreatic fluid.

Additional enzymes, namely the nutritional enzymes, are absorbed through the diet. They occur in every food, but in different types, amounts and compositions. A varied diet as possible makes sense in order to always be supplied with all the enzymes as well as possible. A diet with a certain proportion of fresh, raw or only very gently prepared foods (vegetables, salad, fruits) is important because enzymes are relatively sensitive to both cold and heat.

The metabolic enzymes produced by the body ensure that the other active ingredients in the food can develop their effects at all - vitamins, minerals, secondary plant substances, hormones. Enzymes are produced in all parts of the body, i.e. in the organs, in the blood, in the bones and in the cells. The functioning of the kidneys, lungs, heart, brain and all other organs is controlled by these enzymes. They are needed in very large quantities. If the organism is in equilibrium, enough enzymes are produced.

Illnesses, ailments & disorders

Be certain Enzymes Not produced by the body (any more) or if there is insufficient recovery, health problems can quickly arise.

Nutrients can no longer or insufficiently be absorbed, i.e. absorbed via the intestine. After all, they are missing in the overall metabolism. Probably the best known and relatively common enzyme disorder is lactose intolerance (milk sugar intolerance). Here the milk sugar can no longer be digested optimally due to a lack of the enzyme lactase and causes diarrhea and flatulence. The symptoms can be avoided by supplying the enzyme while eating. There are also inherited enzyme disorders, such as the metabolic disorder phenylketonuria (PKU), which can cause severe brain disorders.

Enzymes also play a role in medicine. Enzyme preparations have been tried and tested, especially for digestive disorders and rheumatic diseases. Studies show the effectiveness of enzymes in cancer therapy to mitigate the side effects of radiation therapy. The other way around, there are also drugs that inhibit or promote the effect of enzymes and thereby achieve a healing effect. Because of their pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects, enzymes have been used as an accompanying measure for sports injuries and osteoarthritis for years.

Last but not least, enzymes should also help to achieve or maintain the desired weight. Appropriate food supplements are intended to further increase the body's metabolism and digestive effects of the enzymes and to shed pounds.