Thousands of enzymes are active in the human body. Each one of them has its specific task, and without them our body could not function. This means that enzymes are vital, and missing enzymes make us sick.
What are enzymes?
A blood test of enzyme levels is used by doctors to further diagnose various diseases. Generally speaking, enzymes are chemical agents that enable all metabolic processes in the human organism. They are capable of building up, breaking down or converting other substances. In terms of structure, they are proteins, i.e. albumen. They used to be known as “ferments,” 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. This also makes one of the tasks of enzymes 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 (food enzymes). The names of most enzymes end in the syllable “-ase” (e.g., amylase), with some exceptions ending in the syllable “-in” (e.g., bromelain).
Medical and health functions, roles, and meanings.
Enzymes are central to health. They help the body to break down, i.e. digest, the individual components of food 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 food component, the digestive enzymes required for this are supplied during the digestion process in the mouth, stomach, intestine or through bile or pancreatic fluid. Additional enzymes, namely the food enzymes, are absorbed through food. They are found in every food, but in varying types, quantities and compositions. It therefore makes sense to eat a diet that is as varied as possible in order to ensure that we are always supplied with as many enzymes as possible. A diet with a certain proportion of fresh, raw or only very gently prepared foods (vegetables, salad, fruit) is important, because enzymes are relatively sensitive to both cold and heat. The metabolic enzymes produced by the body itself ensure that the other active substances in the food can develop their effect at all – i.e. vitamins, minerals, secondary plant substances, hormones. Enzymes are produced at all locations in the body, i.e. in the organs, in the blood, in the bones and in the cells. The functioning of kidneys, lungs, heart, brain and all other organs is controlled by these enzymes. They are needed in very large quantities. When the organism is in balance, enough enzymes are produced.
Diseases, ailments and disorders
If certain enzymes are not (no longer) produced by the body or if there is a lack of utilization, health problems can quickly arise. Nutrients can no longer or not sufficiently be absorbed, i.e. taken up via the intestine. They are ultimately missing from the overall metabolism. Probably the best-known and relatively widespread enzyme disorder is lactose intolerance (milk sugar intolerance). In this case, lactose can no longer be optimally digested due to a lack of the enzyme lactase, causing diarrhea and flatulence. The symptoms can be prevented by supplying the enzyme during food intake. There are also congenital enzyme disorders, such as the metabolic disorder phenylketonuria (PKU), which can cause severe brain disorders. Enzymes also play a role in medicine. Enzyme preparations are well proven, especially in digestive disorders and rheumatic diseases. Studies have shown the effectiveness of enzymes in cancer therapy to alleviate the side effects of radiation therapy. On the other hand, there are also drugs that inhibit or promote the action of enzymes and are thus supposed to have a healing effect. Because of their pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects, enzymes have been used for years as an adjunctive measure in sports injuries and osteoarthritis. Last but not least, enzymes are also said to help achieve or maintain the desired weight.Corresponding dietary supplements are intended to further increase the body’s own metabolism- and digestion-promoting effect of the enzymes and make pounds tumble.
