Enzymes
Enzymes are proteins and are made up of amino acids. Their structure is important to their function, and they can be very specific to the reactions they catalyze. The enzymes enable and regulate a variety of biochemical reactions necessary for life, including the breakdown of nutrients, the synthesis of new molecules, and energy metabolism.
The name of an enzyme often ends in "-as" and is usually linked to the reaction they catalyze. For example, lipase is an enzyme that breaks down lipids (fats), and amylase is an enzyme that breaks down starch. The activity of enzymes can be affected by factors such as temperature, pH and the concentration of other substances in their environment.
Is it possible to add enzymes to the body?
Various enzymes can be supplied to the body, and this is usually done in two main ways: through the diet and through dietary supplements.
Enzymes via the diet
Some foods contain natural enzymes that can help with digestion. For example, pineapple contains an enzyme called bromelain and papaya contains papain. These enzymes can help break down proteins in food.
Even fermented foods such as yogurt, kefir and kimchi are rich in natural enzymes.
Examples of enzymes in food:
- Amylase: Found in, for example, wheat, corn and potatoes. This type of enzyme breaks down starch into sugars and thus affects the texture and taste of food.
- Pectinases: Common in fruits and vegetables. Pectinase breaks down pectin, which affects the texture and consistency of fruit and jam.
- Proteases: Meat naturally contains proteases, which affect the tenderness and taste of the meat. The enzyme bromelain in pineapple and papain in papaya are also proteases that can be used to tenderize meat.
- Lipases: Found in milk and cheese, these enzymes affect fat breakdown, which can affect taste and texture.
- Lactase: Found in milk and milk products and breaks down lactose into simpler sugars. Some microorganisms, such as those in yogurt, also produce lactase.
Many of these enzymes are broken down in the stomach acid and therefore have limited effect when taken in via the diet.
This is how enzymes work in the body
It is important to remember that although you can add enzymes to the body, the body itself produces most of the enzymes needed for normal functions. However, the stomach may need a little extra support sometimes when there is too much of the good stuff or if you experience impaired digestion.
However, enzyme supplements can be a valuable support in some cases, especially for specific health conditions or digestive problems. If you experience repeated problems with your digestion, it is wise to see a doctor as it may be something that needs to be investigated more closely.
How do enzymes work in the body?
Enzymes play a central role in the body's biochemical processes and occur in several chemical groups where their role is to accelerate or enable chemical reactions.
These processes are necessary to sustain life and ensure that cells function properly.
The activity of the enzymes can be affected by factors such as temperature, pH and the concentration of certain molecules in the environment. These factors are important to ensure that the enzymes can function optimally and that the chemical reactions occur with precision in the body's various cells and tissues.
Raw foods
Fresh fruits, vegetables and raw milk products are good sources of natural enzymes. For example, pineapple contains bromelain, and papaya contains papain, both of which are enzymes that aid in the digestion of proteins.
Fermented foods
Fermented foods such as yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, miso and tempeh contain enzymes produced during the fermentation process. These enzymes can facilitate digestion and promote healthy intestinal flora.
Dietary supplements
If you are concerned that you are not getting enough enzymes through your diet, enzyme supplements may be an option. These food supplements often contain a mixture of different digestive enzymes that help break down fats, proteins and carbohydrates respectively.
Preparation of food
Cooking method can affect the enzyme content of the food. For example, high heat when cooking or frying can destroy the natural enzymes in the food. Eating foods that are lightly cooked or steamed can help preserve some of these enzymes.
Enzymes are like special tools that help speed up and facilitate chemical reactions in the body. Imagine that your body is a factory with lots of different machines (chemical reactions) that need to run quickly and smoothly.
Enzymes are the skilled workers that make everything work efficiently. They can break down the food we eat, help build new cells, and perform many other important tasks in the body. Each enzyme is specialized for a specific task, a bit like a wrench that fits perfectly for a particular screw
Enzymes play a key role in the biochemical processes in the body by speeding up or enabling chemical reactions to take place. These reactions are essential to maintain life and ensure that cells function optimally.
There are thousands of different enzymes in the body, and each enzyme has its own specific name and performs a specific task.
Here are some examples of different types of enzymes and their functions:
- Amylase: Breaks down starch into simpler sugars. Found in the saliva and pancreas.
- Pepsin: Enzyme that breaks down proteins in the stomach into smaller peptides.
- Lipase: Breaks down fats into fatty acids and glycerol. Found in the pancreas.
- Catalase: Catalyzes the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen.
- DNA polymerase: Used in the replication of DNA.
- RNA polymerase: Responsible for the transcription of DNA into RNA.
- Kinases: Transfer phosphate groups to other molecules, an important mechanism in signal transduction.
- Lactase: Breaks down lactose (milk sugar) into glucose and galactose.
- Pectinases: Breaks down pectin in fruit and vegetables, affects texture.
- Proteases: Break down proteins into amino acids.
- Transglutaminase: Used to bind proteins together and affect texture.
- Ribosomes: Although not enzymes per se, ribosomes play a key role in protein synthesis.
Enzymes are found in a variety of places, including living organisms, plants, animals, and microorganisms. Enzymes occur, among other things, in living organisms, in the digestive system and in plants. Enzymes are also found in bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms, as well as in foodstuffs such as fruit and vegetables.
