MASSTIGE TIME

Enzymes are proteins that act as catalysts for all the chemical reactions in the body. They are generally divided into two types: digestive enzymes, which help break down food, and metabolic enzymes, which support the body's metabolism. Together, these enzymes are essential for maintaining overall health and physical vitality.

Enzymes are also responsible for eliminating toxins, boosting the immune system, maintaining the body’s internal balance (homeostasis), and helping to prevent disease. Because enzymes are essential to nearly every bodily function, not having enough of them can lead to symptoms like indigestion, bloating, fatigue, or feeling sluggish even after eating well. If there’s no clear reason behind these issues, it's worth considering whether an enzyme deficiency might be the cause.

Among them, digestive enzymes are responsible for breaking down food into nutrients that the body can absorb. These enzymes are produced in areas like the salivary glands, stomach, and pancreas. For example, amylase, found in saliva, helps break down carbohydrates; proteases break down proteins; and lipases break down fats. When your body lacks sufficient digestive enzymes, your digestive function can decline—leading to symptoms such as a dry mouth, reduced appetite, and a general sense of digestive discomfort.

When your body doesn't produce enough digestive enzymes, it can lead to poor digestion, which may cause symptoms such as bloating, stomach rumbling, frequent gas, and burping. Undigested food can remain in the intestines, where it becomes a breeding ground for harmful bacteria. These bacteria produce toxins and gases, some of which may stick to the intestinal walls or turn into hardened stool. In some cases, these toxins can enter the bloodstream and spread throughout the body, causing chronic inflammation and potentially leading to more serious health conditions. Yet, despite the importance of digestive enzymes, many people remain unaware of how crucial they are to maintaining overall health.

Once the food you eat is broken down into nutrients, it’s important to deliver them to your body’s organs and cells. The enzymes responsible for this are called metabolic enzymes. Without enough of them, nutrients may not be properly delivered or absorbed. So even if you eat a nutrient-rich diet, your body may still lack essential nutrients — leaving you feeling low on energy and drained.

Metabolic enzymes also play key roles in cleaning the blood vessels, reducing inflammation, and supporting immune and anti-cancer functions. When the body lacks digestive enzymes, metabolic enzymes may compensate by helping with digestion. However, this can prevent them from performing their primary roles, potentially weakening the immune system and leading to metabolic issues. That’s why it’s essential to maintain adequate levels of both digestive and metabolic enzymes.

Among the many enzymes in the body, antioxidant enzymes play a key role in combating free radicals—unstable molecules that speed up oxidation and accelerate aging. As we grow older, our ability to produce these antioxidant enzymes declines, which speeds up aging. This decrease makes us more vulnerable to illnesses and various health issues, all of which are linked to a shortage of antioxidant enzymes.

Enzymes are essential for life. As long as these enzymes are produced and function properly in the body, there’s little to worry about. However, some people may experience digestive and metabolic problems due to enzyme deficiency, which can lead to difficulties breaking down and absorbing nutrients. Additionally, toxins can accumulate in the body, weakening immunity and resistance, which may result in symptoms such as memory loss and chronic fatigue.

If your body doesn’t produce enough enzymes, you need to get them from nutrient-rich foods like grains, vegetables, fruits, and meat. However, it’s not always easy to consume enough of these foods to meet your daily enzyme needs. On top of that, as we age, our appetite tends to decrease, meaning we eat less and don’t get enough nutrients, which ultimately leads to insufficient enzyme production.

If your enzyme levels are low, you should replenish them not only through enzyme-rich foods but also with enzyme supplements. When choosing a supplement, look for the ‘enzyme potency value’—which indicates the amount and activity level of enzymes guaranteed by the product. Make sure it meets or exceeds the daily recommended amount set by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Also, check that it includes a balanced mix of enzymes that break down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Since Koreans tend to consume a lot of carbohydrates, it’s especially important to choose a product that contains amylase, the enzyme that helps digest carbs.

Coenzymes are non-protein molecules that assist enzymes in carrying out their functions, helping to convert nutrients into energy. In other words, they speed up and improve the accuracy of the many biochemical reactions happening in the body. Vitamins and minerals are examples of coenzymes, and having enough of these coenzymes allows enzymes to work more effectively. Coenzymes themselves are also essential nutrients, playing a crucial role in the body’s metabolism.

Enzymes are made of proteins and can be easily affected by external factors. Enzyme denaturation, which means the loss or reduction of an enzyme’s catalytic activity, happens especially when exposed to high heat. That’s why cooking enzyme-rich fruits and vegetables at high temperatures for a long time can cause enzymes to lose their function. When taking enzyme supplements, it’s best to consume them before meals or on an empty stomach with lukewarm water—not hot. You should also avoid eating overly salty or burnt foods. In some cases, side effects like diarrhea may occur, so it’s important to follow the recommended daily amount.