The Role of Digestive Enzymes

Did you know that every day your digestive system manages 10 L of food, liquids and secretions that travel to the large intestine (colon)? Virtually all nutrients, 80% of electrolytes and most water are absorbed in the small intestine. Absorption occurs all along the small intestine (three segments: duodenum, jejunum, ileum), but is already largely complete by the time the food reaches the ileum which is located just before the colon.^{2, 3}

Digestive enzymes: the digestion circuit

Let's start at the beginning, that is to say with the foods we eat which undergo the first digestive transformations in the mouth by saliva which breaks down the starch with the help of salivary amylase (amylase enzyme) and which goes to the stomach where pepsin (gastric juice enzyme) begins. digestion proteins created by the presence of hydrochloric acid. At the exit of the stomach, the small intestine and the colon form a long tube, in which food substances complete their transformation for absorption or elimination..³

The bpurpose of digestion

The goal of digestion is to reduce food into simple particles suitable for absorption by cells. In other words, once the different phases of digestion have been completed, the nutritional substances will leave the intestine by entering the bloodstream, in order to be transported to their place of use. Nutrients pass through the intestinal walls and enter the rich network of capillaries that line the intestine.

All these capillaries join to form the portal vein which brings to the liver the various nutritional substances drawn from the food bolus: amino acids (proteins), sugars, fatty substances, minerals, vitamins, etc. The liver, after various transformations, redistributes them throughout the body, releasing them into the bloodstream..³

Regulation of gastric secretion

The conditions in which we eat our meals have a great influence on our digestive capacity since this is orchestrated by nervous and hormonal factors. The foods we choose, the colors, the composition of the foods, the smells and their scents will all be factors that contribute to good digestive quality. Chewing calmly, with as little stress as possible, will positively affect the quality of the saliva that we produce, which will in turn have an impact on our entire digestion.

Another important point about chewing is that it allows you to activate the regulation of the digestive system, that is to say, to put all the organs, their vascularization, their secretions, their muscle tone, into 'action' mode, so that they are ready to receive food and contribute to digestion, each at their own level.

The intestinal mucosa, when in good condition, acts as an effective filter. That is to say, it allows only nutritious and well-digested substances to enter the bloodstream. Large, poorly degraded food molecules and toxic residues are forced to remain in the intestine and will be evacuated towards the colon, where they will form part of the feces..^{1, 2, 3, 6}

The symptoms of difficult digestion

Difficulty digesting meals is not unknown and results in symptoms such as the feeling of a bloated stomach, bloating, cramps and acid reflux. Bloating is often the result of poor digestion of carbohydrates and foul-smelling gas is often the result of poor digestion of proteins.

The use of medication to lower stomach acidity is also a sign of poor digestion and has a direct impact on protein digestion..^{7, 8}

Digestive enzymes to aid digestion

Digestive enzymes are involved in the digestion process; they are molecules responsible for breaking down food into smaller fractions to allow nutrients from the food to be absorbed. An enzyme deficiency is a major cause of digestive and intestinal discomfort.

Additionally, when the enzymes we produce intrinsically are lacking in our digestion, undigested food particles pass through the intestinal wall and trigger an immune response..^{7, 8}

The main essential enzymes

• Amylase : helps in the first stage of food breakdown, it is called “salivary amylase”. It breaks down carbohydrates, starches and sugars (fruits, vegetables, cereals, etc.) to transform them into glucose. Glucose provides energy to the body.
• Proteases: called proteolytic enzymes whose mission is to digest proteins to transform them into amino acids. Amino acids play an essential role in the proper functioning of the body (cellular, muscle, nerve repair, etc.). Two fruits rich in proteolytic enzymes: pineapple (bromelain) and papaya (papain).
• Lipase : Its role is the digestion of lipids (nuts, oils, eggs, meat, etc.) to transform them into fatty acids. Fatty acids have an energetic, structural, anti-inflammatory and protective role (heart, eyes, etc.) for the body. Lipase is made in our pancreas (hence pancreatic enzyme) and secreted into the small intestine.
• Lactase: Digests the carbohydrates present in milk by transforming them into glucose and galactose. Glucose provides energy to the body and galactose contributes to the construction of nervous tissues.

These different enzymes support and promote good digestion of proteins, lipids and carbohydrates. They occur from the start of the food ingestion process.

In the manifestation of symptoms such as food intolerances to gluten or lactose, an enzyme deficiency in amylase and lactase is evident and can be corrected by an enzyme complex specific to the intolerance.^{7, 8}

Plant Digestive Enzyme from New Roots Herbal

Plant Digestive Enzymes from the New Roots Herbal company is a multi-source formula suitable for vegetarians. Its wide range of ingredients includes 20 distinct enzymes aimed at the digestion of fats, carbohydrates, proteins, and tough fibers. They also act in the absorption of minerals.

This formula Also contains lactase for people who may experience gas and bloating caused by dairy products which are often difficult to avoid in many foods. It reduces bloating and intestinal gas by promoting digestion. It is also recommended in cases of indigestion, bad breath and belching. Papain acts synergistically with bromelain extracted from pineapple to facilitate the breakdown of complex proteins into bioavailable amino acids.

It is a formula without side effects that everyone can adopt and keep a clear conscience.⁵

Digestive difficulties: some advice

• Maintain a low stress level during meals, to maintain a good digestive fire
• Chewing to puree our food and initiate the production of the satiety hormone and the production of hydrochloric acid (HCL)
• Stay hydrated to maintain good hydrochloric acid (HCL) production
• Promote a diet rich in raw fruits and vegetables since they contain a lot of enzymes
• Limit allergens such as dairy, gluten, soy, corn, peanuts, etc.
• Avoid sugar and alcohol which are often part of gastrointestinal problems^{7, 8}

I wish you a good appetite and good digestion! 

About the author

Marie Couture, Qualified Naturopath

Specialized in:

• Digestive disorders
•  Inflammation
• Hormonal problems
• Stress management

References

1. Merry Professor Henri and Merry Jean, eat better and better from 0 to 100 years old, editions of Rocher, 2017, 326 pages

2. Marieb Élaine N. Human anatomy and physiology 2nd, Éditions ERPI, 1999, 1194 pages

3. Vasey Christopher, Detoxification manual, Éditions Jouvence, 1992, 185 pages

4. WatsonBrenda, Renew your life, Renew Life, Press and information Services, 2002, 188 pages

5. https://newrootsherbal.com/fr/blog/health/feast-on-your-holiday-favourites

6. http://hepatoweb.com/DES/exposes/DES04_2006_VALLOT/Secretion_acide.pdf

7. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwszsX1HWtk

8. https://www.effinov-nutrition.fr/blog/enzymes-digestives-la-solution-pour-retrouver- good-digestion-n71