Almost all of the chemical processes in the body depend on enzymes. These enzymes are produced inside the cells. Some enzymes stay inside the cells where they carry out their functions in their particular part of the cell. Other enzymes function outside the cells.
Enzymes depend on conditions such as the acidity (pH factor) and the right temperature to function at their best. They are able to accelerate chemical processes with by a factor of 10 raised to the 8th power and 10 raised to the 20th power. Enzymes are not consumed in the process in which they participate.
Digestive enzymes
We have enzymes the alimentary canal which participate in the decomposition of the food components, so that they can be transported through the intestinal wall and be absorbed by the cells of the body.
In the body, proteins are broken down to polypeptides and amino acids with the aid of the enzymes Pepsin, Trypsin and Chymotrypsin. Carbohydrates are broken down into sugars: Polysaccharides and monosaccharides with the aid of the enzymes Ptyalin, Amylase, Isomaltase, Saccharase and Lactase. Fat is broken down into triglycerides, glycerol and fatty acids with the aid of the enzyme Lipase.
The digestive enzymes are available as tablets and capsules. Dosage: 1 tablet/capsule after every meal.
Co-enzymes
Are usually organic compounds attached to a protein. A co-enzyme is often a B-vitamin.
Superoxide Dismutase / S.O.D.
The body produces two kinds of SOD enzymes. These enzymes protect the body from harmful free radicals. When the amount of free radicals goes up, the body increases its production of SOD enzymes.
One of the SOD enzymes depends on a sufficient amount of copper and zinc in the body. The other SOD enzyme depends on a sufficient amount of manganese. This is why a supplement of these minerals can sometimes increase the body's own production of SOD enzymes.
Various diseases produce large amounts of free radicals which then cause a great deal of damage to the tissue. Also, the body is not always producing sufficient amounts of SOD enzymes. In such cases, SOD enzyme supplements have proved to be useful. In these cases supplements are often given as injections.
Also see "Sports products".
