Enzymes are proteins produced by all living organisms, and like all proteins, they consist of amino acids. What makes these proteins different from other proteins is how they behave in the body. By definition, enzymes are catalysts that make many essential biochemical reactions ‘happen’ and are not used up or chemically altered in the process. As a catalyst, they help a chemical reaction take place quickly and efficiently.
Here is a list of enzymes and their function in the
human body
I will update the
information as I come across more information:
Aldose reductase is an enzyme normally present in the eye and elsewhere
in the body. It helps change glucose (sugar - glucose) into a sugar
alcohol called sorbitol. Too much sorbitol trapped in eye and nerve cells
can damage these cells, leading to retinopathy and neuropathy. Substances
that prevent or slow the action of aldose reductase are being studied as a
way to prevent or delay these complications of diabetes. Aldose reductase
is the first enzyme in the sorbitol pathway. This pathway is responsible
for the conversion of glucose to sorbitol, and of galactose to galactitol.
Under conditions of hyperglycemia, sorbitol accumulation occurs. Aldose
reductase inhibitors prevent the accumulation of intracellular sorbitol.
One such substance is
rutin.
Aminopeptidases attack the amino terminal (N-terminal) of peptides producing
amino acids.
Amylase to digest carbohydrates. Amylase is secreted by the pancreas and small
amounts are also made in the salivary glands. Amylase is the enzyme that
hydrolyses starch to maltose (a glucose-glucose disaccharide), as well as the
trisaccharide maltotriose and small branchpoints fragments called limit dextrins.
Bromelain is found in
pineapples.
Bromelain is also sold as a supplement.
Carbonic anhydrase relies on zinc for proper functioning. The carbonic
anhydrase enzymes in red blood cells help the body expel carbon dioxide,
with the demand rising substantially during exercise.
Carboxypeptidase removes, one by one, the amino acids at the C-terminal of
peptides.
Catalase is a
powerful antioxidant.
Cellulase for fruit and vegetable digestion
Chymotrypsin
Cyclooxygenase (COX-1)
Disaccharidases convert disaccharides into their monosaccharide subunits.
Elastase cuts peptide bonds next to small, uncharged side chains such as those
of alanine and serine.
Ficin enzyme from figs
Glutathione
Lactase for milk sugar digestion
Lactate Dehydrogenase - The enzyme LDH is in many body tissues, especially
the heart, liver, kidney, skeletal muscle, brain, blood cells, and lungs.
LIpase for fat digestion. The drug orlistat (Xenical) is a pancreatic lipase
inhibitor that interferes with digestion of triglyceride and thereby reduces
absorption of dietary fat. The health concerns regarding the use of orlistat and
blocking of fat absorption are yet to be fully understood.
Lysozyme - Lysozyme is an enzyme found in a number of secretions, such as
tears. This enzyme is present in in egg white. Lysozyme is a natural
"antibiotic" protein found in tears and certain secretions. Although
proteins are usually tasteless, there are some, such as the enzyme
lysozyme, which elicit a sweet taste on the human palate. Most of the
sweet-tasting proteins have a high isoelectric point, but no homology has
been observed in amino acid sequences and tertiary structures.
Maltase hydrolyzes maltose into glucose.
Lipoxygenase -- 5-lipoxygenase
Nattokinase
is a fibrinolytic enzyme considered to be a promising agent for thrombosis
therapy.
Nitric oxide synthase -- makes
nitric oxide
from the amino acid arginine.
Nucleases hydrolyze ingested nucleic acids (RNA and DNA) into their component
nucleotides.
Pancreatin enzyme
is found in Wobenzym
supplement and also in other formulations.
Papain --
Papaya enzymes
Pepsin is secreted in the stomach. Digestion of proteins is initiated by pepsin
in the stomach, but the bulk of protein digestion is due to the pancreatic
proteases secreted in the small intestine..
Serrapeptase
enzyme. You can purchase
Serrapeptase enzyme online.
Sirtuin proteins
Superoxide
Dismutase is a powerful antioxidant enzyme.
Sucrase hydrolyzes sucrose (common table sugar) into glucose and fructose.
Telomerase enzyme - Lifestyle changes including a better diet and more
exercise can raise the body's levels of telomerase enzyme which is closely
involved in controlling the aging process. A small study involved 30 men
with low-risk prostate cancer who underwent three months of lifestyle
changes. They had blood levels of the enzyme telomerase 30 percent higher
after these three months than when they began. Telomerase fixes and
lengthens parts of chromosomes known as telomeres that control longevity
and are also important for maintenance of immune-system cells. The
lifestyle changes included a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole
grains, legumes and soy products, moderate exercise such as walking for
half an hour a day, and an hour of daily stress management methods such as
meditation.
Trypsin
Xanthine oxidase
Antioxidant Enzyme
Catalase
Glutathione
Superoxide dismutase
Blood clot dissolving enzymes
Nattokinase from natto
Cardiac Enzymes - Heart Enzymes
Natural Digestive enzymes - Supplements
These include proteases, amylases and lipases that
are involved in the breakdown of ingested proteins, carbohydrates and lipids
(fats) respectively. Proper breakdown of these ingested foods is necessary to
allow proper absorption of the nutrients to occur. Digestive enzymes and digestive enzyme supplements
-- Natural digestive enzymes
Digestive enzymes are produced in the pancreas and salivary glands and
help to break down the protein, carbohydrate, and fat components of food for use
by the body. For
more details and a thorough discussion, see
Digestive Enzymes.
Food enzymes
Bromelain is found in
pineapples
Ficin from figs
Nattokinase from natto
Papain --
Papaya enzymes
Liver enzymes -- High liver enzymes cause
Elevated liver enzymes high liver enzymes
Cause of elevated liver enzymes
Lactate Dehydrogenase - The enzyme LDH is in many body tissues, especially the
heart, liver, kidney, skeletal muscle, brain, blood cells, and lungs. LDH
catalyzes the interconversion of pyruvate and lactate. Exercising muscles
convert (and red blood cells metabolize) glucose to lactate. Lactate is released
into the blood and is eventually taken up by the liver. The liver converts
lactate back to glucose and releases glucose into the blood. This glucose is
then taken up by resting muscles, red blood cells, and other tissues.
Papaya Enzymes
Papain
Proteolytic enzymes
Nattokinase and Serrapeptase
I am a chiropractor and often see articles
suggesting that proteolytic enzymes can effectively lower cholesterol. In my
practice I recommend their use as an anti-inflammatory in
athletic injuries and have seen literature that suggests that they may be
of benefit in stablizing
cardiac artery inflammation (this reducing the risk of MI). Other than
testimonials, however, I've not seen research that supports the use of
proteolytic enzymes to reduce serum cholesterol. Can you offer any insight?
We have not come across research regarding proteolytic enzymes
and cholesterol.
I'm very interested in what I'm reading about the
enzyme Seaprose-S (I'm currently taking serrapeptase) -- however it doesn't seem
to be available online anyplace. Is this supplement actually available to the
public in USA (I know it originates in Japan)?
Seaprose S is a protease made by Amano Enzyme Inc.. Seaprose S
is obtained from fermentation of the microorganism Aspergillus melleus.
Pancreatic Enzymes
Proprietary enzyme formulas
Wobenzym
Pancreatin 300 mg
Papain 180mg
Bromelain 135 mg
Trypsin - 72mg
Chymotrypsin 3mg
Rutosid 150 mg
Systemic enzymes
I am not exactly sure what people mean by the term systemic enzyme or
whether there is an acceptable definition of what systemic enzymes are. Some
people define systemic enzymes as those enzymes not just for digestion, but taht
work throughout the body in every system and organ. Some websites included the
following as systemic enzymes: papain, bromelain, nattokinase, pancreatin and
nattokinase. Another website claims, "Systemic Enzymes are designed to pass
through your stomach to reach your intestine. The coating of Systemic Enzymes
allows the enzymes to reach your intestine where they can function properly.
Once there, clinical studies show that systemic enzymes benefit the body by
addressing inflammation, speeding up the healing process of damaged tissue,
reducing pain, and addressing cardiovascular issues."
At this time I am personally not sure how one exactly defines which
enzyme are considered within the category of systemic enzymes, and whether it is
necessary to use such a term.
Enzyme Replacement Therapy information
Enzyme replacement therapy for lysosomal storage diseases did not become a reality until the early 1990s when its safety and effectiveness were demonstrated in type 1 Gaucher disease. Today, ERT is a reality for Gaucher disease, Fabry disease and mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I), and clinical trials with recombinant human enzymes are ongoing in Pompe disease.
Emails
Q. There is a lot of controversy between doctors on whether the stomach
absorbs enzymes intact. They are catalyst proteins. I can see the rightness
of both sides of the argument. There are clinical trials that prove something of
absorbed enzymes combat inflammation and break down cysts. There is also
clinical evidence that any whole protein that gets into the body that wasn't
manufactured in that body, is attacked as an invader and broken down into it's
amino constituents. This is proven by the fact that transplanted organs require
immune inhibition drugs to keep the transplanted organ from being destroyed
because antibodies view the proteins as invaders. It is also true that certain
kinds of protein , such as gelatin, are digested and absorbed, and put back
together as your body's kind of collagen and obviously used to improve nails,
hair, skin and joints. In the face of all this evidence, I am led to believe,
that indeed, all proteins including enzymes are broken down into their amino
constituents, in the digestive tract. But, the amino constituents must be
somehow marked for what they were part of, because they seem to be put back
together, in the blood or body, as an immune acceptable form of what they once
were, since they directly benefit the body for what they once were. So, it is my
observation that both sides of the controversy on whether enzymes are absorbed
is right. It's just that both sides are incomplete in what they are saying,
because neither side has considered that amino constituents may be marked for
what they once were part of and reassembled into that particular body's version
of what they once were in the way of whole proteins.
A. You bring up an excellent question that is hotly
debated. When I was in medical school, we were told that everything we ate in
our foods, including proteins, were broken down into amino acids. Hence, it
would appear that there is no point in taking certain protein enzymes of any
sort since they would be broken down. However, with time, I have gradually
shifted my opinion that perhaps some larger molecules are absorbed intact into
the bloodstream and are not necessarily broken down into the smallest particles.
As to whether there is an intelligence that reassembles enzymes back together
again from their individual constituents is beyond my knowledge since I focus
mostly on clinical aspects of medicine rather than the more detailed biochemical
or physiological aspects of metabolism.
Q. I recently came across a press release that I was
hoping you could comment on since I respect your opinon. This is it: "Ellen
Cutler has a message making its way to health conscious Britons. Her newest book
MicroMiracles: Discover the Healing Power of Enzymes (Rodale, 2006) has been
released in the UK, with the title Enzymes for Health and Healing. Cutler is a
tireless advocate of enzyme supplementation, and is regarded as one of the
foremost authorities on the subject of this millennium. She was a key player in
the development of the WellZymes line of digestive and systemic enzymes from
Enzymes, Inc. In fact, the formulations found in the WellZymes product line are
those detailed in Enzymes for Health and Healing. “Enzyme supplements from the
WellZymes product line are among the most effective products on the retail
market today,” explains Cutler. “They are 100% vegetarian, are stable over a
wide range of pH levels, and contain only the finest enzymes and herbal
extracts.” Enzymes, Inc. has been formulating enzyme based nutritional
supplements used in the health care industry for over two decades. The WellZymes
product line was created to provide a professional quality enzyme supplement for
the health conscious consumer. While somewhat of a nascent area of healthcare,
as more and more doctors and patients discover the efficacy of digestive and
systemic enzyme supplementation, it is rapidly becoming more mainstream. “Poor
digestion can cause a array of other kinds of problems,” said Cutler, “such as:
not being able to focus, cholesterol problems, other kinds of cardiovascular
situations, rashes, eczema, hair falling out, nails breaking, pain and
inflammation, and mood swings.” Products from the WellZymes product line were
specifically designed to assist in the treatment of many different health
conditions."
A. The whole topic of enzyme supplementation is quite confusing and
difficult to give any confident answers on. Without doing actual stomach acid
and intestinal acid analysis or other tests, it is difficult to say whether
someone is short on digestive enzymes, and if so, which. Therefore, to make a
statement such as "Enzyme supplements from the WellZymes product line are among
the most effective products on the retail market today," and implying that
digestive enzyme supplementation will cure a number of diseases... is premature.
There may be some people who may benefit from taking a digestive enzyme
supplement, and there may be many more people who take these enzyme supplements
that don't actually get anything for it except a hole in their pocket. Many
people with various health conditions sometimes attribute their problems to poor
digestion whereas the problem could be due to something else.
Q. I just happened to come across your enzyme site in
my search for information about some certain enzymes, and while I did find your
site to be incredibly informative, I also happened to see a question posed at
the bottom of the page, Digestive Enzyme emails: Q. I wonder if you can help. I
am looking for a supplement that has trypsin, chymotrypsin and carboxypeptidase
in it and am not having much success in locating such a supplement. A. We don't
know of such a product at this time, but if we do we will mention it in the
newsletter. I am not a maker of this, nor have i even tried it, but i wanted to
forward this website to you and see if you have heard of and have any
information about this particular website and enzyme product.
http://home.bluegrass.net/~jclark/omnizyme.htm If you could provide any
information on whether or not this would be a good supplement to assist with
food breakdown and as an anti-inflammatory, I would greatly appreciate it.
A. Their website says, Omnizyme Forte ( with 125 mg Trypsin and 45
mg Chymotrypsin ) 200 tablets. Simply the BEST Proteolytic Enzymes available in
the world today, bar none! Digestive enzymes also called pancreatic enzymes
include three classes of enzymes... Proteolytic enzymes needed to digest
protein, Lipases needed to digest fat and Amylases needed to digest
carbohydrates.
Comments: We become suspicious when a website claims that their
product is the best in the world. We don't know this company and hence do not
know the quality of their product.
Q. I've read somewhere that pineapple enzymes helps you
lose weight and belly fat? I'm 5'2 weight 145 pounds female age 47. I'm
asthmatic due to a partial left lung removable since age 4. I am borderline high
blood pressure working in a very stressful job. The only medication I take is
through inhalations for my asthma Advair 500 and Albuterol. My stomach is a
problem which I have a hard time losing weight there due to a lower back injury
and a removal of my gallbladder. Despite, I take a supplement of mega-zyme
extra-strength before meals. I still get bloated and have gas. I've ordered
CoQ10, and Diet Rx. Which supplements do you recommend.
A. We have not seen good research regarding the use of pineapple
enzymes and weight loss. We can't make any specific recommendations, but we
suggest using each supplement by itself for a week before trying another one.
This way you can tell the influence of each one on your body rather than being
confused when taking multiple supplements and not knowing which one is doing
what.
Is is a good idea to order enzyme products before the
weather gets into the 90s here in Texas? I know that enzymes are not supposed to
get hot. Also, if just purchasing an enzyme off the shelf of a local store, how
do you know if the product is viable? Is there a simple test procedure I could
do at home?
Much depends on the quality of the enzyme product, the type
of enzyme, and how long ago it was manufactured. It is best not to expose enzyme
products to excessive heat, but I doubt there would be much harm during the
shipping process of a few days. It is a good idea to store them in the fridge.
There is no reliable way to tell at home if the enzyme is still active, the
product would have to be sent to a lab for analysis to determine if the enzymes
are still active.
I'm having a hard time finding information related to
enzyme supplementation and the possible effects on transplanted organs. I don't
understand the biochemical mechanism of rejection, so I'm cautious recommending
proteolytic enzymes for my friend who had a kidney transplant. She does
experience significant pain from inflammation, and is under Dr's orders to
refrain from NSAIDs. Any info you may have on the topic would be greatly
appreciated, even other possible natural source of anti-inflammatory substances
that would be otherwise innocuous (i.e. fish oil?).
The topic of enzyme supplementation or the use of various
supplements to those patients who have had organ transplantation is very
complicated and there are no simple answers and little human research to give us
clues on the safety of such natural products in these situations.
Suppliers
There are many raw material suppliers that provide enzymes. We received an email
from one of them.
BioMedico Labs has been supplying enzymes to the
dietary supplement industry since the year 2005. We offer a wide variety derived from plants, fungi, and bacteria including bromelain, protease,
amylase, lactase, and lipase that can be formulated into your dietary supplement
product. With a large inventory at all times and a comprehensive portfolio of
enzymes, BioMedico Labs is the most sensible choice to become your supplier of
enzyme preparations. BioMedico Labs will go the extra mile to offer its clients
the highest quality products at a very competitive price with personalized
service. We are well-acquainted with enzyme ingredients currently being marketed
in dietary supplements. Our technical sales representatives are available to
work with you to meet your enzyme needs. If you have specifications for a
dietary supplement containing enzymes, or if you need help with formulating an
enzyme-based dietary supplement, feel free to contact us for a quote or for
general information. BioMedico Labs offers custom package sizes and low minimum
order requirements to allow our customers maximum flexibility in their ordering.