What are digestive enzymes?

Digestive enzymes are proteins produced by the body to break down foods (specifically proteins, carbohydrates and fats) for absorption. They are produced naturally in the mouth, stomach and pancreas.

Sometimes the pancreas is deficient in production and supply of digestive enzymes, and problems with digestion can occur, along with other potential illnesses and degenerative conditions.

This can happen for a variety of reasons such as illness, genetic predisposition, toxic exposure, excessive exercise, ageing and injury.

Types of digestive enzymes

Microbial-derived enzymes

Microbial-derived enzymes come from a fungal source as opposed to animal-derived enzymes, which usually come from pig or bovine sources. The advantage of microbial enzymes is that they can survive a broad pH range and are more likely to make it through the hostile stomach environment than animal-derived enzymes.

Plant-derived enzymes

The two most commonly used plant-based enzymes are bromelain (from pineapple) and papain (from papaya). Bromelain is often used to help break down digestive proteins, in addition to being an anti-inflammatory agent. Papain is also used to help break down proteins in the digestive tract, and additionally acts to a lesser degree on carbohydrates and fats as well.

How might digestive enzymes help?

Digestive enzymes are helpful for people who have been diagnosed by a health care professional to have pancreatic insufficiency. In those individuals, external sources of digestive enzymes have to be taken before meals to assist in the digestion of food and absorption of nutrients.

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