What are enzymes? Do you know why they are so important to our bodies?

You've probably heard the word "enzymes" before. Sometimes you might even confuse them with a vitamin. But enzymes are little heroes in our bodies that do a lot of silent, but essential work. Shall we talk about this in a simple way that you can understand?

So what actually happens to these enzymes?

Simply put, enzymes are little helpers that speed up chemical reactions in our bodies. Think about it, after you eat food, you need to digest it. Enzymes are essential for all of these processes, including digestion, blood clotting, and body growth. Not only that, enzymes are also involved in how our muscles work and how some diseases develop. In fact, enzymes play a much bigger role in many important things that happen in our bodies than you might think. Think about it, you eat a meal. Our bodies can't absorb things like starches, proteins, and fats directly. They need to be broken down into smaller pieces. That's what enzymes do. It's like cutting a large piece of paper into smaller pieces with scissors. Or, think about blood clotting. When you get a cut somewhere, it stops the bleeding. That's what enzymes help with. That means, without enzymes, our lives would be very difficult.

How are these enzymes produced?

Enzymes are often special proteins that are produced within our bodies . As you know, proteins are nutrients that help build, maintain, and grow new tissues in our bodies. In the same way, proteins called enzymes are also produced in our bodies. Also, sometimes enzymes are produced in laboratories . We often see these as "dietary supplements." However, it is essential to seek medical advice before taking something like this.

So how do these enzymes work? It's amazing, isn't it?

This is a very interesting story. An enzyme works by binding to a specific molecule inside our cells and speeding up a chemical reaction involving that molecule . Think of it like a key fitting into a lock. Each enzyme has a specific molecule that works for it, only for it.

The important thing is that once this chemical reaction has taken place, the enzyme is not used up. That is, the enzyme can bind to new molecules and carry out the same reaction over and over again. It's like a skilled mechanic, using the same tool to do many jobs.

Some enzymes build things up by putting things together. Other enzymes break things down. For example, the enzymes that help us digest the food we eat break down large food particles into smaller ones.

What types of enzymes are there?

You'd be surprised to learn that there are thousands of enzymes in our bodies! Each one has a specific job. Let's take a look at some of the most important ones.

• Amylase: This is what helps us digest foods that contain starches , like bread and rice.
• Lipase: This enzyme helps digest fats and oils.
• Protease: This is essential for digesting foods rich in proteins, such as meat, fish , and eggs .
• Creatine Kinase (CK): This enzyme helps our muscles build strength. Those who exercise may have heard of this.
• Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) and Alanine Aminotransferase ( ALT ): These two enzymes are mainly found in the liver. They help convert the food we eat into energy. They are measured in blood tests that check for liver problems.
• Thrombin: A key enzyme that helps blood clot when there is an injury.
• Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD): This enzyme is needed for our red blood cells to function properly.
• DNA Polymerase: As you know, DNA is the thing that contains our genetic information. So, in order for new tissues to form and for the body to grow, this DNA needs to be copied. This enzyme helps with that.

This is just a few. There are many more types of enzymes in our bodies.

What are the possible problems with enzymes?

Sometimes, our body may lack or not produce enough of an enzyme that it needs. This is when various health problems arise. Here are some of the diseases caused by such enzyme-related problems:

• Lactose Intolerance: This is a problem that many people have. This condition occurs when the enzyme "lactase" that helps digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and dairy products, is reduced. This can cause symptoms such as gas , stomach pain, and bloating.
• Phenylketonuria (PKU): This is a genetic disease. It is caused by a problem with an enzyme that breaks down an amino acid. This can cause brain damage and conditions like seizures. If detected early, it can be treated.
• Morquio Syndrome: This is caused by the absence or insufficient production of an enzyme that breaks down a type of sugar. This can cause vision, hearing, bone, and heart problems.
• Tay-Sachs Disease: This is also a genetic disease. Due to the lack of a specific enzyme, fatty proteins are deposited in the brain, causing damage to the brain and spinal cord.
• Galactosemia: This is caused by a problem with the enzymes that break down galactose, a sugar found in milk. This can cause growth failure, poor weight gain, and developmental delays in children.
• Wilson's Disease: This disease is caused by a problem with an enzyme in the liver, which causes the metal copper to accumulate in the liver, brain, and other organs.
• Gilbert's Syndrome: This condition is caused by a problem with an enzyme that breaks down a substance called bilirubin. The main symptom is yellowing of the eyes and skin, a condition similar to jaundice.

There are many enzyme-related diseases like this. Each of them is caused by a deficiency in the function of some enzyme.

What are these dietary enzyme supplements?

Dietary enzyme supplements are enzymes that are made from outside sources to help our bodies do the same job that our body's own enzymes do. Sometimes doctors recommend these types of enzyme supplements. For example:

• Reduces gas and bloating for those with lactose intolerance .
• As an aid to the digestive process for people with conditions like cystic fibrosis .

However, you should keep this in mind. Some enzyme supplements do not help you improve your athletic performance or lose weight as advertised. Such claims may not be scientifically proven. Additionally, unnecessary use of these supplements may pose health risks.

Therefore, before you use any dietary supplement, be sure to talk to your doctor for advice. He or she can tell you whether you really need it or not, and whether it is suitable for your health condition.

So, what did we learn from this story? (Take-Home Message)

Okay, so we talked a lot about enzymes today, right?

• Enzymes are small but powerful components that help with almost every important process in our bodies. Enzymes are essential for everything from digestion to blood clotting, growth, and energy production.
• While our bodies produce these enzymes, there are sometimes enzyme supplements that can be taken externally.
• If there is a deficiency in enzymes, it can lead to various diseases. Therefore, the healthy functioning of enzymes is very important for our overall health.
• Not every enzyme supplement on the market works for everyone, so don't try these without medical advice.

So, I hope you have a good understanding of enzymes. If you have any further questions about this, don't hesitate to ask your doctor. Stay healthy!