The Role of Digestive Enzymes

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

Digestive enzymes: the digestion circuit

Let's start at the beginning: the food we eat undergoes its first digestive transformations in the mouth, as saliva breaks down starch with the help of salivary amylase (the enzyme amylase), and heads for the stomach, where pepsin (the enzyme in gastric juice) initiates digestion proteins created by the presence of hydrochloric acid. On leaving the stomach, the small intestine and colon form a long tube, in which food substances complete their transformation for absorption or elimination..³

The but of digestion

The aim of digestion is to reduce food to simple particles that can be absorbed by cells. In other words, once the various phases of digestion have been completed, the nutrients leave the intestine and enter the bloodstream, to be transported to their point of use. Nutrients pass through the intestinal walls and enter the rich network of capillaries lining the intestine.

All these capillaries come together to form the portal vein, which carries the various nutrients drawn from the food bolus to the liver: amino acids (proteins), sugars, fats, minerals, vitamins and so on. After various transformations, the liver redistributes them throughout the body, releasing them into the bloodstream..³

Regulation of gastric secretion

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

Another important point about mastication is that it activates the regulation of the digestive system, i.e. putting all the organs into 'action' mode, their vascularization, secretions and muscular tone, so that they are ready to receive food and contribute to digestion, each at their own level.

When in good condition, the intestinal mucosa acts as an effective filter. In other words, it allows only well-digested nutrients to enter the bloodstream. Large, poorly-degraded food molecules and toxic residues are forced to remain in the intestine and are evacuated to the colon, where they form part of the fecal matter..^{1, 2, 3, 6}

The symptoms of difficult digestion

Difficulty digesting meals is no stranger to symptoms such as a bloated belly, bloating, cramps and acid reflux. Bloating is often the result of poor carbohydrate digestion, while foul-smelling gas is the result of poor protein digestion.

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 digestive process, and are molecules responsible for breaking down food into smaller fractions to enable nutrients to be absorbed from the diet. An enzyme deficiency is a major cause of digestive and intestinal discomfort.

What's more, when the enzymes we intrinsically produce are missing from our digestion, undigested food particles pass through the intestinal wall and trigger an immune response..^{7, 8}

The main essential enzymes

• Amylase Amylase: helps in the first stage of food decomposition, known as "salivary amylase". It breaks down carbohydrates, starches and sugars (fruit, vegetables, cereals, etc.) to convert them into glucose. Glucose provides the body with energy.
• Proteases : Proteolytic enzymes whose job is to digest proteins and transform them into amino acids. Amino acids play an essential role in the body's proper functioning (cell, muscle and nerve repair, etc.). Two fruits rich in proteolytic enzymes: pineapple (bromelain) and papaya (papain).
• Lipase Its role is to digest lipids (nuts, oils, eggs, meat, etc.), transforming them into fatty acids. Fatty acids play an energetic, structural, anti-inflammatory and protective (heart, eyes...) role for the body. Lipase is produced in our pancreas (hence pancreatic enzyme) and secreted into the small intestine.
• Lactase : Digests the carbohydrates present in milk, transforming them into glucose and galactose. Glucose provides the body with energy, while galactose helps build nerve tissue.

These various enzymes support and promote the proper digestion of proteins, lipids and carbohydrates. They are involved right from the start of the food ingestion process.

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

New Roots Herbal Digestive Enzymes

Vegetable Digestive Enzymes from New Roots Herbal is a multi-source formula suitable for vegetarians. Its wide range of ingredients includes 20 distinct enzymes targeting the digestion of fats, carbohydrates, proteins and tough fibers. They are also involved in mineral absorption.

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 aiding digestion. It is also recommended in cases of indigestion, bad breath and belching. Papain works in synergy 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 their conscience clear.⁵

Digestive problems: a few tips

• Keep stress levels low during meals, to maintain a healthy digestive fire
• Chew to purée your food and initiate production of the satiety hormone and hydrochloric acid (HCL).
• Hydrate to maintain good hydrochloric acid (HCL) production
• Eat a diet rich in raw fruit and vegetables, which contain many enzymes.
• Limit allergens such as dairy products, gluten, soy, corn, peanuts, etc.
• Avoid sugar and alcohol, which often contribute to gastrointestinal problems^{7, 8}

I wish you a good appetite and good digestion! 

About the author

Marie Couture, Certified Naturopath

Specialized in :

• Digestive disorders
•  Inflammation
• Hormonal problems
• Stress management

References

1. Joyeux Pr. Henri and Joyeux Jean, eating better from 0 to 100 yearsÉditions de Rocher, 2017, 326 pages

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

3. Vasey Christopher, Detox ManualÉditions Jouvence, 1992, 185 pages

4. Watson Brenda, Renew your lifeRenew 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- a-good-digestion-n71