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What are enzymes? They are highly specific, energized protein molecules made up of amino acids.
The function of enzymes: They are organic, biological catalysts that start, promote and speed up biochemical reactions.
The specialized molecules have active sites that are receptors for specific substrates. They are generally named for the substrate they act upon and end in the suffix -ase. For example, lactase works on the substrate lactose - a milk sugar, and lipase breaks the molecular bonds of lipid (fat) substrates.
When a substrate makes contact with the active site of an enzyme, it is transformed into an end product. Once the process is complete, it releases the product and is again available to interact with new substrates. In the preceding graphic, the enzyme sucrase binds with the substrate sucrose to convert it to the end products of glucose and fructose.
Enzymes and pH: Enzymes are extremely sensitive and their activity is affected by the pH and temperature of the immediate surroundings. Each has an optimum pH and temperature range at which its activity is most efficient.
There are more than 3,000 different types of enzymes in the human body, and all of them must be present in each one of our 100 trillion cells to function normally.
Now that you have a basic familiarity with the structure and function, take a few minutes to enjoy this short animated video presented by Enzymedica founder, Tom Bohager - author of the book Enzymes: What the Experts Know.
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Digestive System Enzymes Extract Energy and Nutrients From Food. They are produced by the body to help break down food into molecules small enough to be absorbed through the lining of the small intestines.
Digestive Enzymes Supplements Relieve Indigestion, Improve Health, Slow Aging These supplements do more than digest food and relieve symptoms of indigestion. They also help the body produce the metabolic enzymes needed by every cell of the body.
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It is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure disease. If you have any health
or medical concerns, please consult your personal health care professional.
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