Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsFunctionTypesDysfunctionSupporting Enzyme Production
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Function
Types
Dysfunction
Supporting Enzyme Production
Enzymes are substances in the body that cause and speed up crucial chemical reactions. Enzymes’ function is to help trigger bodily processes ranging from digestion to blood clotting to growth. There are many types of enzymes, and most enzymes are proteins. If you’re missing a certain type of enzyme or have too little of it, that can lead to health conditions that can be serious.
Enzyme Function: How It Works
Enzymes aren’t used up in the reaction, so they can be used repeatedly. Each cell in your body has thousands of enzymes to help facilitate all the complex chemical reactions it takes to keep you healthy.
Factors Affecting Enzyme Production
Types of Enzymes
There are thousands of different types of enzymes in the body. For example,digestive enzymesaid in the breakdown of food and its conversion into energy.
Common enzymes that are critical for health are:
Enzyme Dysfunction and Deficiencies
Types of Enzyme Deficiencies
There are thousands of enzyme deficiencies. Some are very rare, while others lead to conditions such as:
How to Support Enzyme Production
The best thing that you can do to support enzyme production is to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables. Avoid processed foods, especially foods that are very fatty.Remember, unless you have a genetic condition your body produces all the enzymes it needs. Enzyme supplements aren’t necessary in most cases, but they can be used to help with lactose intolerance or digestion in those with cystic fibrosis.
Only one type of enzyme supplement—called pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT)—is available. PERT is a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)–regulated prescription medication. It’s prescribed to patients with serious illnesses, like cystic fibrosis.
Summary
Enzymes help the body complete necessary bodily chemical reactions. This includes breaking down food, facilitating growth, and forming blood clots. Having too little of a certain enzyme can lead to serious health implications like fatal buildup of toxins. In healthy individuals, your body makes all the enzymes it needs, and supplementing isn’t necessary. The best way to support enzyme production is through a healthy diet.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Human Genome Research Institute.Enzyme.Nemours KidsHealth.Enzymes.National Institutes of Health.Enzymes.Kennedy Krieger Institute.Metabolic disorders.Johns Hopkins Health.Digestive enzymes and digestive enzyme supplements.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA approves new breakthrough therapy for cystic fibrosis.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Human Genome Research Institute.Enzyme.Nemours KidsHealth.Enzymes.National Institutes of Health.Enzymes.Kennedy Krieger Institute.Metabolic disorders.Johns Hopkins Health.Digestive enzymes and digestive enzyme supplements.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA approves new breakthrough therapy for cystic fibrosis.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Human Genome Research Institute.Enzyme.Nemours KidsHealth.Enzymes.National Institutes of Health.Enzymes.Kennedy Krieger Institute.Metabolic disorders.Johns Hopkins Health.Digestive enzymes and digestive enzyme supplements.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA approves new breakthrough therapy for cystic fibrosis.
National Human Genome Research Institute.Enzyme.
Nemours KidsHealth.Enzymes.
National Institutes of Health.Enzymes.
Kennedy Krieger Institute.Metabolic disorders.
Johns Hopkins Health.Digestive enzymes and digestive enzyme supplements.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA approves new breakthrough therapy for cystic fibrosis.
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