Do You Need Digestive Enzymes: Amylase, Protease, And Lipase Digestive Enzymes: Amylase, Protease, And Lipase The concept of digestive enzymes is fairly easy to understand, but when delving into the details it is helpful to take a step back and understand what the myriad of available enzymes are actually performing within the body. While many separate enzymes are needed to interact with the food we eat, there are three amylase, protease, and lipase which are associated with the primary macronutrients in our diet; carbohydrates, proteins, and fats respectively. The pancreas is the primary organ responsible for the production and release of amylase, protease, and lipase. As a food bolus passes through the digestive tract, it stimulates the release of these important enzymes to drive the ecient breakdown of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats into smaller particles which can be absorbed later in the digestive process and eventually used throughout the body. In addition to the pancreas, amylase is also released in saliva in the mouth and is known as salivary amylase. While the digestive process relies on much more than just amylase, protease, and lipase for the complete and ecient digestion of food eaten, they are a core component and great place to start when looking at how digestive enzymes contribute to gastrointestinal health.* Digestive Enzymes: Amylase, Protease, And Lipase Page 1 Digestive Enzymes: Amylase, Protease, And Lipase Amalyse Amylase is responsible for the breaking of the bonds in starches, polysaccharides, and complex carbohydrates into easier to absorb simple sugars.1 Salivary amylase is the rst step in the chemical digestion of food. This is one of the major reasons that it is so important for people to take time while eating and thoroughly chew their food. 2 This initial step in the digestive process is essential to the proper breakdown of food eaten and the ultimate liberation of the nutrients within to be absorbed later in the digestive process. As the starches, polysaccharides, and complex carbohydrates continue through the digestive tract, they are further broken down from additional amylase released from the pancreas into the proximal small intestine. Protease Another important enzyme to the ecient digestion of food eaten is protease. It is responsible for the primary breakdown of proteins and polypeptides from animals and plants and for proline dipeptides from gluten and casein. Proteases are released by the pancreas into the proximal small intestine, where they mix with proteins already denatured by gastric secretions and break them down into amino acids, the building blocks of protein, which will eventually be absorbed and used throughout the body. Lipase While amylase and protease do a great job of breaking down carbohydrates and proteins, the body needs another enzyme for the breakdown of fats, oils, and triglycerides. This is where lipase functions. Lipase is necessary for the full digestion of fats to their smaller fatty acid components. Digestive Enzymes: Amylase, Protease, And Lipase Page 2 Digestive Enzymes: Amylase, Protease, And Lipase Why do digestive enzymes matter? At times, food may not be digested fully as it passes through the digestive tract. A number of reasons may be at the root of this circumstance. This can result in the inecient liberation of the nutrients in food. While this can be dicult to feel on a day to day basis, there are several things which can point to the need for a bit more focused digestive enzyme support. When someone is experiencing occasional gas, bloating, and / or indigestion, a supplemental digestive enzyme may be an eective solution.* 3, 4 When food is not digested fully prior to progressing through the gastrointestinal tract, it comes into contact with bacteria in the distal small intestine and colon. Bacteria present in that area will ferment the maldigested macronutrients with the resulting byproducts being gases released to the digestive tract. This excessive gas buildup is what many people notice and initially report to their healthcare practitioner. Digestive enzymes including amylase, protease, and lipase represent a foundational aspect of gastrointestinal health.* Either producing them eciently or supplementing when necessary are important considerations for today’s integrative practitioner. REFERENCES 1. Sundarram A, Murthy TPK. α-Amylase Production and Applications: A Review. Journal of Applied & Environmental Microbiology. 2014;2(4):166-75. 2. Mackie DA, Pangborn RM. Mastication and its inuence on human salivary ow and alpha-amylase secretion. Physiol Behav.. 1990. 47(3), 593-5. 3. Suarez F, Levitt MD, Adshead J, Barkin JS. Pancreatic supplements reduce symptomatic response of healthy subjects to a high fat meal. Dig Dis Sci.. 1999. 44(7), 1317-21. 4. Roxas M. The role of enzyme supplementation in digestive disorders. Altern Med Rev. 2008. 13(4), 307-14. Digestive Enzymes: Amylase, Protease, And Lipase Page 3 12 Foods That Contain Natural Digestive Enzymes Many organs work together to make up your digestive system (1 ). These organs take the food and liquids you eat and break them down into simpler forms, such as proteins, carbs, fats and vitamins. The nutrients are then transported across the small intestine and into the bloodstream, where they provide energy for growth and repair. Digestive enzymes are necessary for this process, as they break down molecules like fats, proteins and carbs into even smaller molecules that can be easily absorbed. There are three main types of digestive enzymes: Proteases: Break down protein into small peptides and amino acids Lipases: Break down fat into three fatty acids plus a glycerol molecule Amylases: Break down carbs like starch into simple sugars Enzymes are also made in the small intestine, including lactase, maltase and sucrase. If the body is unable to make enough digestive enzymes, food molecules cannot be digested properly. This can lead to digestive disorders like lactose intolerance. Thus, eating foods that are high in natural digestive enzymes can help improve digestion. Here are 12 foods that contain natural digestive enzymes. 1. Pineapple Pineapples are a delicious tropical fruit rich in digestive enzymes. In particular, pineapples contain a group of digestive enzymes called bromelain ( 2). 12 Foods That Contain Natural Digestive Enzymes Page 4 Digestive Enzymes: Amylase, Protease, And Lipase These enzymes are proteases, which break down protein into its building blocks, including amino acids. This aids the digestion and absorption of proteins ( 3). Bromelain can be purchased in powdered form to help tenderize tough meats. It’s also widely available as a health supplement to help people who struggle to digest proteins ( 4). A study on people with pancreatic insuciency, a condition in which the pancreas cannot make enough digestive enzymes, found that taking bromelain combined with a pancreatic enzyme supplement improved digestion more than the enzyme supplement alone ( 3, 5). Summary Pineapples contain a group of digestive enzymes called bromelain, which helps break down proteins into amino acids. Bromelain is also available as a supplement. 2. Papaya Papaya is another tropical fruit that is rich in digestive enzymes. Like pineapples, papayas also contain proteases that help digest proteins. However, they contain a dierent group of proteases known as papain ( 6). Papain is also available as a meat tenderizer and digestive supplement. Studies have shown that taking a papaya-based formula may help ease digestive symptoms of IBS, such as constipation and bloating ( 7). Digestive Enzymes: Amylase, Protease, And Lipase Page 5 Digestive Enzymes: Amylase, Protease, And Lipase If you want to eat papayas, just make sure to eat them ripe and uncooked, as heat exposure can destroy their digestive enzymes. Also, unripe or semi-ripe papayas can be dangerous for pregnant women, as it may stimulate contractions ( 8). Summary Papayas contain the digestive enzyme papain, which breaks down proteins into building blocks, including amino acids. Make sure to eat papayas ripe and uncooked, as high heat can destroy their digestive enzymes. 3. Mango Mangoes are a juicy tropical fruit that is popular in summer. They contain the digestive enzymes amylases — a group of enzymes that break down carbs from starch (a complex carb) into sugars like glucose and maltose. The amylase enzymes in mangoes become more active as the fruit ripens. This is why mangoes become sweeter as they start to ripen ( 9). Amylase enzymes are also made by the pancreas and salivary glands. They help break down carbs so that they are easily absorbed by the body. Digestive Enzymes: Amylase, Protease, And Lipase Page 6 Digestive Enzymes: Amylase, Protease, And Lipase That’s why it’s often recommended to chew food thoroughly before swallowing, as amylase enzymes in saliva help break down carbs for easier digestion and absorption ( 10). Summary Mangoes contain the digestive enzyme amylase, which breaks down carbs from starch (a complex carb) into sugars like glucose and maltose. Amylase also helps mangoes ripen. 4. Honey It’s estimated that Americans consume over 400 million pounds of honey each year ( 11 ). This delicious liquid is rich in many benecial compounds, including digestive enzymes ( 12). The following are enzymes found in honey, particularly raw honey ( 13, 14, 15, 16): Diastases: Break down starch into maltose Amylases: Break down starch into sugars like glucose and maltose Invertases: Break down sucrose, a type of sugar, into glucose and fructose Proteases: Break down proteins into amino acids Make sure that you’re buying raw honey if you’re seeking its digestive health benets. Processed honey is often heated, and high heat can destroy digestive enzymes. Digestive Enzymes: Amylase, Protease, And Lipase Page 7 Digestive Enzymes: Amylase, Protease, And Lipase Summary Honey contains a variety of digestive enzymes, including diastase, amylase, invertase and protease. Just make sure to purchase raw honey, as it is not exposed to high heat. Processed honey may be heated, which destroys digestive enzymes. 5. Bananas Bananas are another fruit that contains natural digestive enzymes.