Phytase: benefits, dosage, contraindications

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Phytase is an enzyme that removes the phosphate from phytic acid, or phytate. Phytate is found naturally in small amounts in food, in microorganisms and plants, and in the small intestine. Dietary phytate can bind to minerals and reduce their bioavailability. That's why phytase supplements are sometimes used to break down dietary phytate. Phytase is present in the small intestine of animals; however, in the human small intestine, phytase activity is low. Phytase, a 6-phytase, is present in certain cereals, legumes, and oilseeds. High activity levels are found in wheat bran. Soaking, germination, and fermentation increase the activation of phytases in cereals, legumes, and seeds. Additional phytase sources, typically 3-phytase, include microorganisms such as Aspergillus niger. Phytase was first identified in 1907. The addition of phytase to animal feed was introduced in the early 1990s. Because of the cost savings and environmental benefits associated with reduced phosphorus excretion, phytase accounts for more than 60% of the enzyme market for animal feed. Orally, phytase is used to increase the absorption of minerals such as calcium, iron, and zinc. It is also used for skin aging, anemia, and zinc deficiency.

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Enzymes

Indications

Scoring methodology

EFSA approval.

Several randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trials (> 2), including a significant number of patients (>100), with consistently positive conclusions for the indication.
Several randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trials (> 2), including a significant number of patients (>100), with positive conclusions for the indication.
One or more randomized studies, or several cohorts or epidemiological studies, with positive conclusions for the indication.
Clinical studies exist but are uncontrolled, with conclusions that may be positive or conflicting.
No clinical studies to date that can demonstrate the indication.

Wrinkles
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In patients with deep wrinkles, preliminary clinical research shows that taking 50 mg of zinc citrate and 3,000 units of phytase per day for four days before a botulinum toxin treatment increases the patient-reported duration of the toxin's effects by about 25%, while there is no improvement in patients taking 10 mg of zinc gluconate or a placebo. nnThe effectiveness of the botulinum toxin treatment was also improved. nn

Posologie

posologieOrally

posologie3,000 IU


Synergies

Effect of dietary zinc and phytase supplementation on botulinum toxin treatments

Anemia
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Taking phytase with a meal containing phytate and iron increases iron absorption. However, the effect of phytase specifically for treating iron-deficiency anemia remains unclear. In a small study of women, some of whom had iron-deficiency anemia, incubating wheat as a source of phytase with a traditional phytate-rich cereal increased the meal's iron absorption from 2.6% to 8.3%. Similarly, adding microbial phytase to whole-wheat rolls containing phytate increases iron absorption from a meal by about 82% compared with rolls without added phytase. In another small study, adding a microbial phytase to a simple corn meal fortified with micronutrients increased iron absorption and its incorporation into red blood cells 1.85-fold after 14 days, compared with the meal without added phytase.

Posologie

posologieOral

posologie1000 IU

Dephytinisation with intrinsic wheat phytase and iron fortification significantly increase iron absorption from fonio (Digitaria exilis) meals in West African women
Dietary Aspergillus niger phytase increases iron absorption in humans
Effect of small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements on growth, psychomotor development, iron status, and morbidity among 6- to 12-mo-old infants in South Africa: a randomized controlled trial
The effect of lipids, a lipid-rich ready-to-use therapeutic food, or a phytase on iron absorption from maize-based meals fortified with micronutrient powders

Zinc deficiency
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Preliminary clinical research shows that the addition of phytase at 20.5 units to a millet-based porridge enriched with zinc increases zinc absorption by about 68% in children aged 12 to 24 months. Some of these children had low plasma zinc levels at baseline. However, using phytase specifically to treat zinc deficiency has not been studied.

Posologie

posologieOral

posologie20.5 IU

Effect of phytase on zinc absorption from a millet-based porridge fed to young Burkinabe children

Properties


Remineralizing

full-leaffull-leaffull-leafempty-leaf

Dietary phytate, or phytic acid, binds to minerals and reduces their bioavailability. Phytase breaks down dietary phytate by catalyzing the stepwise removal of phosphates from phytate, which increases the release of chelated minerals. nnMicrobial phytases are active at a pH of 2.0 and are resistant to heat and gastric acids. Endogenous phytases present in foods are generally active at a pH of 4.5-6.0 and within a temperature range of 45-60°C. nnSoaking phytase-containing food sources at the appropriate temperature range has a significant effect on mineral bioavailability. Fermentation with phytase-producing microorganisms also increases mineral bioavailability.nn

Safe dosage

Adults aged 18 years and older: 3,000 IU - 10,000 IU

Phytase activity is measured in phytase units, or FTU, one unit representing the amount of enzyme that releases 1 mmol of inorganic phosphorus per minute.

Precautions

Pregnant women: avoid

Insufficient data.

Breastfeeding women: avoid

Insufficient data.

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The information presented does not in any way replace medical treatment or the advice of a healthcare professional. Before taking any supplements, consult a healthcare professional, especially if you have a medical condition, are undergoing treatment, or are pregnant.