Enzymes that break down proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates and fat molecules into smaller parts, in order to facilitate their absorption by the body. They can be found in the saliva, stomach the pancreatic juice, and in the intestinal (small and large) secretions, or as part of the lining of the gastrointestinal tract.
Digestive enzymes include:
Digestive enzymes include:
- Lipases (lipolytic enzymes) split fats into glycerol and fatty acids
- Gastric lipase: breaks down fat in the stomach
- Proteases and peptidazes (proteolytic enzymes) break down proteins into amino acids
- Bromelain, enzyme found in pineapple used for reducing swelling (inflammation), especially of the nose and sinuses, after surgery or injury.
- Stomach enzymes Pepsin, Chymotrypsin, Gelatinase
- Pancreatic Trypsin breaks down proteins in to aromatic amino acids
- Bromelain, enzyme found in pineapple used for reducing swelling (inflammation), especially of the nose and sinuses, after surgery or injury.
- Amylases split carbohydrates into simple sugars
- Ptyalin in the saliva that converts starch into dextrin and maltose, pancreatic amylase that converts carbs into simple sugar
- Sucrase in the small intestine: breaks down sucrose to monosaccharides
- Maltase in the small intestine: converts maltose to glucose
- Lactase in the small intestine: converts lactose to glucose and galactose
- Ptyalin in the saliva that converts starch into dextrin and maltose, pancreatic amylase that converts carbs into simple sugar
- Nucleases break down nucleic acids into nucleotides
