Enzymes - what is it? Not many will be able to immediately answer this question. Most of us know about vitamins and minerals and their benefits to the body, but few have heard about enzymes. What is it and what function do they perform in the human body, we learn from this article.
What are enzymes?
These are enzymes that are specific proteins that accelerate various reactions in the human body. Enzyme enzymes have a direct effect on metabolism. It is known from the school biology course that some of the enzymes are produced by the thyroid gland, but most of them enter our body with food. Over time, the natural formation of enzymes decreases, therefore, with age, the need for these substances increases.
Varieties of enzymes
Three large groups of enzymes are distinguished:
- Digestive enzymes - act in the digestive tract, process nutrients and absorb them into the systemic circulation. Enzymes secreted by the pancreas and the walls of the small intestine are called pancreatic.
- Plant (food) enzymes - enter our body along with food.
- Metabolic enzymes - activate metabolic processes inside the cells. Each body system has its own network of enzymes.
Digestive enzymes
Digestive enzymes fall into three categories:
- Amylases. Such enzymes are found in the intestines and saliva. Under their influence, carbohydrates break down into simple sugars and freely penetrate into the blood.
- Proteases. These enzymes produce the pancreas and the gastric mucosa. Thanks to them, proteins are better digested and the microflora of the digestive tract is normalized. There are proteases in the gastric juice and intestines.
- Lipase. It produces the pancreas enzyme. Contains lipase in the gastric juice. Promotes the breakdown and absorption of fats.
Good digestion is the key to an active life and longevity. Thanks to enzymes, digestion, adsorption and assimilation of food are possible. We can fully eat, using fats, minerals, proteins, water, vitamins, but without enzymes all this simply can not be absorbed.
Plant enzymes
By regularly consuming products containing enzymes, we not only facilitate our digestion, but fill the body with energy that it can spend on cleansing the liver, strengthening immunity, protecting against tumors, rejuvenating cells and more. Reviews of those who eat mainly vegetable, not cooked food are extremely positive. A person feels lightness, cheerfulness, has a healthy appearance. But food lacking enzymes makes our body work without rest. Cells are overloaded, aging and dying. If there are not enough enzymes, the body begins to accumulate "waste": toxins, poisons, dead cells. What causes obesity, various diseases, early aging.
The effect of enzymes on the human body
- Stimulate the digestion process by participating in the digestion of food.
- They activate the process of self-cleaning of the body.
- They improve metabolism and promote weight loss.
- They cleanse the body of toxins and toxins.
- Strengthen the body’s immune system.
- Stimulate cell renewal.
- Provide the body with the necessary energy.
- Accelerate skin regeneration.
- Resist infections.
What can cause a lack of enzymes in the body?
The number of enzymes in the body is significantly reduced as a result of:
- prolonged overwork;
- improper nutrition (eating fatty, fried, refined foods);
- frequent stress;
- any disease;
- uncontrolled medication;
- inflammation
- wounds;
- pregnancy
- alcohol abuse;
- smoking.
Enzyme sources
A large number of enzymes are found in vegetables, fruits, berries, herbs, cereals, namely in:
- sprouts of seeds and grains;
- horseradish;
- garlic
- avocado;
- papaya
- kiwi;
- pineapple
- bananas;
- mango;
- natural soy sauce;
- broccoli;
- wheat grass;
- medicinal herbs;
- berries;
- vegetable juices.
It is advisable to consume all products in raw form, since during heat treatment a large number of enzymes die.
Nutrition principles
So, enzymes - what are they and where are they located, we found out. And how to eat properly to daily receive the necessary dose of enzymes? This is not at all difficult. Breakfast should consist of a protein dish (cottage cheese, nuts, sour cream), fresh fruits and berries. Each meal should begin with a vegetable salad with greens. Preferably, one meal consists only of raw vegetables, berries, fruits. It is recommended to have dinner with light dishes - vegetables with chicken breast, boiled fish, seafood. It is useful to arrange a fasting day once a week - only fruits or freshly squeezed juices should be present in the diet.
The use of enzymes in drugs
Medicines containing enzymes are widely used in diseases of the digestive tract. With an insufficient amount of their own enzymes, replacement therapy is carried out with preparations containing the enzyme. Instructions for these drugs, where you can read the indications and rules of use, are usually attached. However, it is desirable that the doctor prescribe the dosage individually, based on the patient's condition and the course of the disease. Enzyme preparations act in two ways: they break down food and reduce pain in the stomach. Medications containing enzymes are prescribed when:
- the production and excretion of enzymes by the pancreas is impaired;
- intestinal absorption is impaired;
- impaired motor activity of the digestive tract.
Enzyme classification
- Medicines containing pancreatin. Such drugs are prescribed for violations of the exocrine function of the pancreas, dysbiosis, peptic ulcer, chronic and acute infectious diseases of the intestine, congenital deficiency of enzymes.
- Medicines containing pancreatin, hemicellulase, bile components and other components. Medications are prescribed for acute and chronic intestinal pathologies, accompanied by constipation, flatulence, belching.
- Herbal medicines containing papain, rice fungus extract and other components. Indications for the use of drugs are insufficiency of exocrine pancreatic function and intolerance to pork or beef.
Such funds are used both once and with prolonged therapy. Those who took drugs containing enzymes leave only positive reviews: the pain disappears, the frequency and nature of the stool normalizes. Improvement is also confirmed by laboratory tests: elastase in feces is normalized.
After reading this article, you learned more about the concept of “enzymes”: what it is, where it is contained, what role it plays in the human body. These are undoubtedly vital substances. Try to include enzyme-rich foods in your daily diet. And if there are problems with the digestive tract, enzyme preparations will come to the rescue. Take care of yourself and be healthy!