The digestive enzymes They are those that allow the absorption of nutrients present in food through the breakdown of polymers present in food. For instance: pepsin, renin, trypsinogen.
Digestive enzymes allow the assimilation of nutrients and are therefore essential for the entire digestive process.
Classification of digestive enzymes
There are different types of digestive enzymes, according to their function in the body:
- Lipases. They are those that digest fats by breaking them down into fatty acids.
- Proteases. They break the peptide bonds of proteins.
- Amylases. They degrade starches and complex sugars in the diet.
- Ptyalin. It is an enzyme present in saliva that acts in a basic medium until it is inactivated when the food has reached the stomach.
Digestive enzymes have different properties, as well as therapeutic uses in cases of inflammation, intestinal disorders, gallbladder insufficiencies, constipation, ulcers, skin problems, rheumatoid arthritis, or different degenerative processes.
Examples of digestive enzymes
| Pancreatic amylase | Ribonuclease |
| Pepsin | Deoxyribonuclease |
| Renin | Lactase |
| Trypsinogen | Maltasa |
| Chymotrypsinogen | Dipeptidase |
| Phosphatase | Trypsin |
| Sucaraa | Polypeptidase |
| Protease | Pancreatic chymotrypsin |
| Enterokinase | Intestinal lipase |
| Duodenal amylase | Pancreatic lipase |
Production and deficiency of digestive enzymes
The body naturally produces these enzymes, which act in all metabolic processes. Food is one of the most common ways of incorporating this class of enzymes, which are frequently present in foods such as vegetables, sprouts, certain fermented foods as well as fresh fruits consumed raw.
However, sometimes not having a good diet Or even having it, it is possible that the body does not produce a sufficient amount of enzymes on its own, which causes digestion to become heavier, and then it is a great waste of energy on the part of the body.
This type of deficiencies it can cause constipation, gas, or intestinal irritation. When there is a significant lack of enzymes, it is necessary to resort to special preparations that help digestion, in addition to taking care of the diet: these preparations usually include proteolytic enzymes, as well as enzymes similar to those produced by the pancreas.
Digestive enzyme degradation
Due to their natural character, enzymes undergo a process of degradation which is often accelerated by issues such as stress, which is why it is said that trying to lead a quiet life helps the recovery of enzymes in cells.
Enzymes are also destroyed by heat, claiming that there are no enzymes in any cooked, processed, or pasteurized food – only foods eaten raw contain them.