Digestive Enzyme Deficiency

Digestion is a complex process that involves breaking down the complex food that we eat into a simpler form. The digestive system consists of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine and large intestine. Various digestive enzymes are secreted by the different glands of the body. These are basically complex proteins that accelerate certain biochemical reactions. In simpler words, each of these digestive enzymes help in breakdown of particular foods into simpler forms. If any of these organs are unable to perform their functions or the glands are unable to secrete digestive enzymes in the right amounts, it will have serious repercussions on one's digestive health. When the body is unable to produce these digestive enzymes, one is said to suffer from the deficiency of that enzyme. Such a deficiency would certainly affect one's digestive health in an adverse manner. Here's some information on the functions of some of these digestive enzymes and effects of digestive enzyme deficiency.

Functions of Digestive Enzymes

The process of digestion begins with the chewing of food in the mouth. The salivary glands present in the mouth secrete an enzyme called ptyalin. This is a form of amylase that facilitates the conversion of starch into simple sugars, such as maltose and dextrin. The food then travels through the esophagus into the stomach, where peristaltic contractions facilitates further breakdown of food. While the food is in the stomach, a proteolytic enzyme called pepsin acts on the proteins and breaks it into peptides. Besides pepsin, gastric lipase, gastric amylase and rennin also act on food and break down the complex foods into simpler forms. As the food is passed into the small intestine, bile, a digestive juice from the liver, pancreatic juices from the pancreas and certain intestinal enzymes such as sucrase, maltase, lactase and isomaltase work on it. It is here that the nutrients are absorbed by the blood and circulated through the body. While the absorption of the nutrients provides us with the much-needed energy, the wastes are excreted out.

Digestive Enzyme Deficiency

Certain genetic metabolic disorders are believed to be risk factors for enzyme deficiency. Phenylketonuria, glycogen storage disease and various inherited metabolic disorders could be responsible for causing deficiency of certain digestive enzymes. People who suffer from pancreatic insufficiency are most likely to suffer from deficiency of enzymes called lipase and amylase. Poor dietary habits could make one susceptible to certain diseases that could affect the production of enzymes. Deficiencies of digestive enzymes could also be associated with excessive consumption of processed foods. While the metabolic enzymes play a vital role in the digestive process and the consequent absorption of nutrients, there are certain enzymes that are present in certain foods. Including the sources of these natural digestive enzymes to one's diet can provide the body with these enzymes. Overcooking such foods can affect the levels of enzymes in these foods, so make sure that you are not overcooking these foods.

It is believed that following a diet that is very rich in complex carbohydrates, is one of the most common causes of an amylase deficiency. When one consumes such a diet, the body will have to produce higher amounts of amylase for the conversion of carbohydrates into a simpler form. It is believed that the deficiency of amylase makes one susceptible to inflammation, skin rashes and allergies. If one's body is deficient in protease enzymes, that is, the enzymes that convert protein into amino acids, one might experience mood swings, irritability or anxiety. A deficiency of lipase affects the digestion of fats. It is believed that a lipase deficiency might make one susceptible to high cholesterol, high triglycerides, muscle spasms or vertigo. Since these enzymes help in digestion of food, a person suffering from a deficiency is most likely to suffer from indigestion, bloating or constipation. Certain diagnostic tests can help the doctors identify the enzymes that are not secreted in sufficient amounts. In order to treat such an deficiency, doctors may prescribe digestive enzyme supplements to compensate for the body's inability to produce these digestive enzymes. However, make sure that you take them as per the prescribed dosage. If you experience stomach pain, nausea, vomiting or any other side effect, consult your doctor.

Now that you are aware of the functions or benefits of digestive enzymes, you are in a better position to understand the adverse effect a digestive enzyme deficiency can have on your health. If you feel that your digestion is becoming weak, it would be best to consult a doctor.