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Q33-What are supplemental enzymes?
Supplemental enzymes are enzymes that have been extracted in some manner from either plants or animals, and they are taken in addition to a normal diet. Pepsin (an enzyme that digests proteins) was the first enzyme used by doctors to help with protein digestion. Pepsin was extracted from the stomach of pigs. Another enzyme supplement was made from the pancreas of slaughterhouse animals, which could not only digest proteins, but also carbohydrates and fats. However, the pancreatic enzymes only work in an alkaline medium, which is present in the duodenum. Pancreatic enzymes will not work in the acidic stomach, and cannot perform predigestion. There is little need to take these supplemental enzymes.
In order for supplemental enzymes to work they must be able to help with pre-digestion in the upper stomach (fundus). The Japanese have developed a method of extracting plant enzymes from fungi which contain protease, amylase, and lipase. Fungi called aspergilli are used to supply the enzymes for making tasty and easily digested food products that will work in a slightly acidic environment. There are hundreds of varieties of aspergilli. Different combinations of various food substrates produce the several enzymes needed, such as amylase, protease, and lipase. Extracts of these enzymes are dried into powders and put into capsules. These enzymes should be taken with a meal if pre-digestion is to be most effective. The reason for this is if you wait until finishing the meal, you delay the action of the enzymes. |
