How digestion works and what to do when it doesn’t work
Digestive enzymes are proteins produced by the digestive glands that help break down macronutrients (proteins, fats, and carbohydrates) into smaller by-products, making food easier to digest and absorb. Each enzyme is specific to a type of macronutrient and plays a unique role in breaking them down in the gut.
Table of Contents
There are several types of digestive enzymes
• Amylase: digests carbohydrates
Amylase is a digestive enzyme that helps digest carbohydrates. It is produced by saliva and the pancreas and breaks down carbohydrates into simple sugars, such as starches before reaching the small intestine. This process makes the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates easier.
• Protease: digests proteins
Protease is an enzyme that hydrolyzes (breaks down) proteins. It is produced by various organisms, such as bacteria, fungi, animals, and plants, for various purposes, such as the digestion of proteins in the intestine or the regulation of cellular proteins.
• Lipase: digests fats
Lipase is an enzyme that hydrolyzes lipids, i.e. fats. Lipase is produced by various organs, such as the pancreas and intestines, and contributes to the digestion of fats and the absorption of their metabolic products.
• Lactase: digests milk sugar (lactose)
Lactase is an enzyme that hydrolyzes lactose, a sugar in milk, into glucose and galactose. Some people lack this enzyme and therefore suffer from lactose intolerance. Lactase is produced by intestinal cells in the small intestine. The production of lactase depends on the presence of lactose in the diet and can increase or decrease according to the lactose intake.
• Maltase: digests the sugar of maltodextrin
Maltase is an enzyme that hydrolyzes maltose, a type of sugar, into glucose. Maltase is produced by intestinal cells in the small intestine and helps digest maltose found in some foods.
These enzymes are naturally produced by various digestive glands, such as saliva, pancreas, and small intestine, but what happens when they don’t work properly?
What happens when digestive enzymes don’t work well
When digestive enzymes don’t work properly, there can be problems digesting food and absorbing nutrients, causing symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, and weight loss. In some cases, it may be necessary to change the diet or take nutritional supplements. In severe cases, medical treatment may be required.
Some people don’t have enough digestive enzymes, or their body doesn’t release enzymes as it should. This means they cannot break down certain foods and absorb nutrients.
Insufficiency of digestive enzymes
Some types of digestive enzymes insufficiency include:
- Congenital sucrase-isomaltase deficiency: You don’t have enough sucrase to digest some sugars.
- Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency: EPI occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough enzymes needed to digest carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
- Lactose intolerance: Your body doesn’t produce enough lactase, so you may have trouble digesting the sugar that occurs naturally in milk and dairy products.
Digestive Enzymes vs Probiotics: What’s the Difference?
Sometimes people confuse enzymes and probiotics. Both affect digestion but in very different ways. Probiotics are live organisms that make up the good bacteria in your gut. They help keep your digestive system healthy, so they support the work your enzymes do. Unlike enzymes, probiotics do not have the ability to break down or digest food components.
Without good gut bacteria, you may experience symptoms similar to those of enzyme insufficiency, such as bloating or gas, due to abnormal bacterial overgrowth or imbalance in the intestines.
What to do in case of enzyme insufficiency
It is essential to take enzymes. This means that, in most cases, you should take digestive enzyme supplements with your food. In many cases, they would need to be taken in conjunction with specific foods to perform their intended function properly. Lactase supplements, for example, include enzymes that digest milk sugars, so they should be taken alongside dairy products. Similarly, amylase supplements help the body digest the complex sugars found in legumes and vegetables to reduce bloating and gas, so they should be taken just before eating these foods.
Refer to the product instruction label to determine when to take a digestive enzyme or any supplement. Some food supplements should be taken with a meal, while others should be taken just before eating. Also, check for the correct dosage, which will vary based on the type and strength of the enzyme supplement. If you are unsure or have any questions, ask your pharmacist or nutritionist. And of course, if you’re on any medications, be sure to consult your doctor before using any supplements.
