Enzymes, Our Bodies’ Catalysts
Certainly we have general knowledge of enzymes in modern society. We know that enzymes are involved in digesting our food and in fermenting beer. Anyone who is lactose intolerant can tell you the value of taking Lactase enzymes. And most of us know that the unique flavors and textures of different types of cheese don’t magically spring into being, but rather are the product of several carefully controlled cultures and enzymes. By definition, an enzyme is a molecular substance produced by a living organism that brings about a specific biochemical reaction.
Enzyme Therapy
If enzymes set off specific biochemical reactions in our bodies, can we use that knowledge to guide and support our health? That is the question behind much of the enzyme therapy marketing and research going on today. You may have heard about the recent publicity that a tree resin called Garcinia cambogia is receiving. That attention is the result of some major enzyme-based studies on whether Garcinia cambogia actually assists the body in synthesizing lipids. The results thus far have been positive, tested out to a duration of 12 weeks.
Another study done recently is on whether enzymes can help treat hard-to-beat Pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic tumors shield themselves from treatment, so the trick is to get the cancer medicine past those shields. Thus far, the studies using an enzyme as the catalyst have been successful, which could signal new hope for those struggling with this awful disease.
Proteolytic enzymes continue to have high emphasis in research since there are so many of them, and since some of the most vicious cancers of our age are protein-based. Enzymes can be a powerful tool for health! There are thousands of them and our bodies are complex, so the learning in this field will continue for years. For now, there is enough solid, basic knowledge for us to help ourselves to this avenue of strength.
Proteloytic Enzymes
Proteolytic enzymes, often referred to as Protease, are enzymes that work to hydrolyze proteins. The amino acids that proteins break down into are then used by our bodies to structure body tissues, glands, chromosomes and many other necessary substances.
When we make food to eat, we are combining nutritional compounds. Our bodies, utilizing enzymes, break those compounds down into the smallest building blocks possible – then construct what we need out of them. Without enzymes, we wouldn’t have the building supplies necessary for health.
Digestive Enzymes
Digestive enzymes are involved in every step of our digestive system – from fork to waste matter. They help break our food down into the forms our bodies need for fuel, building, cellular function, etc. Our saliva itself has multiple enzymes in it, so that the digestion process actually begins as we chew. Here are a couple of examples:
- Amylase helps break down starches we eat into glucose that our body uses as its day-to-day fuel.
- Lipase helps break down the fats we eat so that our body can use them to build nerve sheaths, cellular structure, hormones, etc.
Sources:
http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT01453153
