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Q15-How can we be sure that supplemental enzymes are not destroyed by acid in the stomach?
The Wright State University study, using humans rather than animals in their research, clearly demonstrates that enzymes survive the digestion process and increase the release of thermodynamic energy from the food.
Research as early as the 1940's clearly demonstrated that salivary amylase (enzyme found in saliva) was found to exist in active form in the acidic stomach. Research also revealed that the concentration of acid was not as high as once believed which meant that more enzymes were reactivated after the stomach contents become neutralized in the alkaline duodenum (beginning of the small intestine). Enzymes only became deactivated when the pH reached 3 or lower. The foregoing evidence clearly establishes that a large quantity of starch is regularly digested in the human stomach by salivary amylase. More recent research demonstrated that enteric-coated pancreatic enzyme preparations were no more effective than non-coated forms, indicating survival of the enzymes through the low pH of the stomach. Indeed, many studies support the gastric survival of enzymes and consequent intestinal absorption of intact active enzymes. |
