Enzymes are important for food digestion Essay

Enzymes are protein molecules produced y the living cells as â€Å"instructed† by genes on the chromosomes. Enzymes referred to as biological catalyst – biological molecules that catalyze metabolic reactions. A catalyst is defined as an agent that speeds up a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process (Burton, G. R. W. , 2004). Enzymes are important in digestion of food in our body because they act as the vehicle in the chemical reactions of breaking up the food elements. If the enzymes are not present in the digestion of the food, the energy of the chain reaction will face different problems such as acidity, diarrhea, bloating and burning sensation and it also helps strengthening the immunity of the body. There are different types of enzymes. These are metabolic enzyme, digestive enzyme and food enzyme. Metabolic enzymes are responsible for the destruction and removal of toxins in the body. Digestive enzymes are responsible for the digestion of food, absorption and the delivery of nutrients throughout the body and food enzymes enables the body to digest the food by breaking down the various nutrients and this enzyme are responsible for maintaining the optimal health. I will focus more on the digestive enzyme because it has an important role in the digestion and distribution of nutrients in the body. This enzyme can also help on the recovery of many diseases such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Crohns disease. There are 3 important enzymes for the digestion and these are protease which digests protein; amylase which digests carbohydrates and lipase which digests fat. The two groups of digestive enzyme are intrinsic and extrinsic digestive enzyme. The intrinsic digestive enzyme is naturally produced inside the body and secreted from several organs to break down foods. Salivary gland is the most common enzyme produced by the mouth and the gastric gland produced by the stomach. If you experienced burning sensation and bloating and always in need of antacids after eating a certain types of food, the most common reason for this is due to eating of highly processed or over cooked food. This is commonly called indigestible foods. This type of food has naturally occurring enzymes but some healthy nutrients have been removed. The foods that has no enzymes and indigestible is bad for your health. The enzymes will work with the help of other necessary nutrients called the co-factors such as vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids. In the absence of the co-factors of the enzymes, enzymes will have no activity. In some studies, it shows that the burning sensation you feel after eating a heavy meal like steaks, chickens, hamburgers and the like is because the digestive system demands more enzymes to digest them but if you eat raw type of food like fresh fruits and vegetables you will not feel any burning sensation because fresh vegetables and raw already contains lots of enzymes that digestion can be easier. We can eat any kind of foods that are rich in fat and sugars and our body will try to break it down by means of enzyme (Garcia, B. , n. d). To prevent the burning sensation, acidity and excessive gas, we should eat a natural raw kind of food and light cooked foods. Over cooked foods and processed destroys the enzymes that we need. Reheating the left over food at 47 degrees Celsius also destroys the enzyme that we need for digestion. The best way to have a good digestion is we should eat fresh fruit, steamed vegetables and dairy products to get plenty of digestive enzymes for easy digestion and absorption of nutrients in our body. If we are about to eat roasted meat, try to add some raw vegetables because it contains vegetable enzyme that will help for easy digestion. Eating this kind of food is very economical and it helps with digestion illnesses. Enzymes are important in our life. Without enzymes we easily get sick or acquire diseases. Lacks on enzyme in our body makes our blood dirty and dirty blood are the basis of acquiring diseases. One specific function of enzymes is to reduce and lighten the inflammation such as arthritis. We should always remember that the healthier that we eat, the longer we live. With the help of this enzymes other diseases or illnesses such constipation and gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD will be prevented. Proper nutrition and exercise is the key to a healthy life (Garcia, B, (n. d).. References: Burton, G. R. W. (2004). Biochemistry: The Chemistry of life. Goucher, J. (Ed. ), Microbiology for health sciences (p. 149). Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. Garcia, B. (n. d). How the Different Types of Enzymes Support the Process of Life. Retrieved from http://ezinearticles. com/? How-the-Different-Types-of-Enzymes-Support-the-Process-of-Life&id=291981 Garcia, B. (n. d). Enzymes: An overview. Retrieved from http://ezinearticles. com/? Enzymes:-An-Overview&id=275873