The digestive enzymes are proteins that help break down food into smaller nutrients so our body can absorb them more easily.
I’ll first outline the four main digestive enzymes, responsible for the different stages of digestion:
- The salivary enzymes begin digestion by breaking down carbohydrates in the mouth; carbohydrates become glucose molecules.
- The stomach enzymes break down proteins into peptides.
- The pancreatic enzymes continue digestion by breaking down proteins, fats, and complex sugars; proteins become amino acids and fats become fatty acids.
- The intestinal enzymes (lactase, maltase, dipeptidase) finish digestion by breaking down the remaining nutrients into even smaller nutrients
These enzymes are therefore essential for good digestion.
Read also | Everything you need to know before buying digestive enzymes according to a pharmacist
Digestive enzyme deficiency: main symptoms
Abdominal pain
These pains can be felt in different regions of the abdomen and are caused by spasms of the intestinal muscles or painful contractions of the stomach.
They are due to a buildup of poorly chewed food in the stomach.
This then releases too much gastric acid, which causes heartburn. While researching this article, I found this study, which shows that taking enzyme-based supplements helps reduce abdominal pain.
Bloating and gas
Bloating is a buildup of gas in the intestine, due to poor digestion of food.
Gas can indicate inadequate digestion of food, accompanied by abdominal pain and bloating.
Indeed, in the absence of enzymes, colon bacteria ferment undigested carbohydrates, which then release substances that can cause gas.
Diarrhea
Diarrhea can also be a symptom of a lack of digestive enzymes. It occurs when food is not properly digested and stools become loose and frequent.
Some enzymes taken as oral supplements help reduce diarrhea, especially if taken during or after a meal.
Weight loss
Are you losing weight and having trouble regaining it? It may be due to a lack of digestive enzymes, because the body cannot absorb enough nutrients from food to maintain a healthy weight.
An intolerance to certain foods
When someone has a lack of digestive enzymes, they may experience difficulty digesting certain foods. I’m thinking of fatty foods or those high in fiber.
This dysfunction then leads to abdominal pain and bloating.
I’ll give you an example. In the case of lactase deficiency, an enzyme found in the intestine, lactose is then poorly tolerated.
People with a lactase deficiency then have great difficulty digesting dairy products high in lactose.
Why do we lack digestive enzymes?
Between dysfunctions and bad habits
Digestive enzymes activate as soon as one ingests one of their preferred substrates. Thus, proteolytic enzymes will be active in the presence of proteins, lipolytic enzymes for lipids, and glycolytic enzymes for carbohydrates.
When these enzymes are deficient, nutrients are then poorly broken down and therefore poorly absorbed by the body.
Several causes can lead to a lack of digestive enzymes:
- An overly fatty diet leads to saturation of digestive enzymes, leaving them overworked
- A lack of chewing forces our body to produce too many enzymes to break down overly large pieces
- Old age, as we age our body naturally produces fewer digestive enzymes
- Alcohol, which disrupts enzyme production
- The dysfunction of digestive organs, such as the pancreas, can prevent or reduce enzyme production
Other causes can lead to a lack of digestive enzymes, such as gastrointestinal surgeries that disrupt the proper functioning of the organs.
Or in cases of serious illnesses such as cystic fibrosis, cancer, or autoimmune diseases that cause pancreatic damage.
My opinion
Do one or more of these symptoms sound familiar? You may be suffering from a lack of digestive enzymes. To stimulate them, consider a diet rich in fiber, fermented foods, and vegetables.
Take the time to chew when you eat to help the enzymes do their work. If stress overwhelms you, meditation or exercise can help you find calm… And a calmer digestion.
Finally, I would like to point out that these symptoms can be caused by other health problems, so I recommend that you consult a doctor.
