The name itself indicates the process in which digestive enzymes are involved. They are necessary for the digestive process to proceed properly. Furthermore, their function is not only to facilitate this process in the body; digestive enzymes facilitate the process, meaning the body doesn't have to expend as much energy and time on it.

In addition, enzymes promote the absorption of nutrients by the body. Let's learn about the role of digestive enzymes, which are extremely important for us, and examine why it's worth paying attention to their proper levels in our bodies.

Digestive enzymes are a natural support

Digesting food involves breaking it down and absorbing substances needed for the body's proper functioning. Digestion is aided by digestive enzymes, which are naturally occurring substances found in our bodies. Digestive enzymes are involved in the digestive process as soon as we put food in our mouths. As soon as food enters the mouth, salivary amylase and lysozyme, present in saliva, begin to work. These two enzymes are responsible for initiating the breakdown of sugary substances. The food then encounters another enzyme already present in the gastric juices: pepsin, which is responsible for cutting long protein particles into smaller fragments.

The food continues its journey and ends up in the duodenum. There, groups of digestive enzymes begin their work, gradually breaking down the food into its primary components. Proteins, fats, and sugars are digested there.

A whole series of enzymes are secreted in the pancreas:

• Pancreatic amylase, which is responsible for the breakdown of sugar,
• Lipase, which breaks down fats,
• Nuclease, degradation of nucleic acids,
• Trypsin, whose job is to break down proteins. In addition, trypsin is also responsible for reducing long protein chains into shorter ones,
• Peptides digest shorter protein chains and break them down into even shorter ones.

The end result of protein digestion by digestive enzymes is amino acids.

A lack of digestive enzymes can lead to many health problems. Although deficiencies can be painful, they are often temporary, which is why we often ignore them. Especially if we experience symptoms such as constant hunger, muscle cramps, bloating, fatigue, irritability, colitis, rapid weight gain, or slow digestion, we should consider checking our enzyme levels. If we act quickly, we can avoid more serious consequences. Otherwise, we can expect severe digestive and metabolic disorders that lead to body malfunction.