The World of Enzymes
What exactly are enzymes? And what exactly do they do in our bodies? You'll find these and other interesting facts about enzymes in this article.
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What are enzymes?
Enzymes are proteins that act as biological catalysts. They lower the so-called activation energy required for a chemical reaction and increase its rate within cells without being consumed or altered in the process.
What is the function of enzymes?
In the human body, enzymes maintain the natural balance (homeostasis). They ensure the body’s detoxification as well as its ability to heal. The enzymes used in natural medicine are capable of correcting many pathological processes in the human body.
Enzymes play a crucial role in nearly all biological processes, including digestion, metabolism, cellular respiration, and DNA replication. Enzymes are therefore essential to our lives.
Digestive enzymes
Enzymes of animal or plant origin, as well as those derived from microorganisms, are used to aid digestion. They break down proteins into smaller peptides and amino acids, thereby promoting digestive activity.
Products containing digestive enzymes support the body when it does not produce enough of its own enzymes, for example, due to pancreatic dysfunction. Lipases (muramidase) have proven particularly effective, but combination products containing various enzymes are more effective than single-enzyme products.
Co-Enzyme
The activation of certain enzymes first requires what are known as coenzymes. These differ from enzymes in that they are not composed of protein, are much smaller than enzyme molecules, and are consumed during their activity. Therefore, they must be constantly replenished. The best-known coenzymes are probably NADH and Q10, which are often administered individually but also together.
NADH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), together with oxygen, is essential for the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) in the mitochondria of our cells. ATP is the energy our body needs to function.
Q10 is essential for energy production and membrane protection in every cell, and thus for the entire organism.
Enzyme als Supplements
Depending on the intended use, different enzyme blends are used in dietary supplements. Here are three examples of potent enzyme products. They support your digestion (ConfiZym®), help with acute inflammation—such as after injuries (Nutrident DoloZym® forte)—and strengthen your immune system (InnovaZym Pur).
It is important to take enzymes on an empty stomach (30–60 minutes before a meal or at least 2 hours after a meal).