What are enzymes and why should you know them?
Do you sometimes wonder how your body manages to coordinate numerous biochemical processes every day, from digestion to energy production? Enzymes provide the answer: They are true all-rounders and control virtually all processes in your organism. But what exactly are enzymes? Why are they so important for healthy nutrition, digestion, and fitness, and how can you specifically support them? In this article, you'll find the most important answers so you understand how you can harness the power of enzymes for yourself.
What are enzymes? A clear basic understanding
Enzymes: The catalysts of life
Enzymes are special proteins that act as biocatalysts, meaning they accelerate vital chemical reactions in the body without consuming themselves. Whether it's metabolism, digestion, cell structure, or the immune system: without the activity of enzymes, everything in the body would proceed far too slowly or not at all.
How enzymes work in detail
For a reaction to occur, certain molecules, called substrates, must be brought together and chemically modified. Thanks to their unique structure, enzymes are able to specifically bind these substrates, convert them, and release the reaction product.
Example: A digestive enzyme such as amylase breaks down carbohydrates into smaller sugar molecules so they can be absorbed in the intestine.
The most important enzyme types: Who does what?
Enzymes are fascinating specialists, each performing very specific tasks in the body. To ensure that all vital processes run smoothly, there are various enzyme classes. Here you'll find an overview of the most important ones and learn why they are so important for your health.
Digestive enzymes
Digestive enzymes perform one of the body's most important functions: They break down large, complex nutrients from food into their smallest building blocks so your body can absorb and utilize them. Without them, carbohydrates, proteins, and fats would be useless to us, and proper digestion would be impossible.
The best-known digestive enzymes include:
- Amylase : Breaks down starch and other carbohydrates from grains, potatoes, or rice into simple sugars. Amylase works in the mouth with the help of saliva.
- Lipase : Breaks down dietary fats from butter, oil, nuts, or avocados into their basic building blocks: fatty acids and glycerol. Lipase is primarily active in the intestines.
- Protease : Breaks down proteins from meat, fish, eggs, or legumes into amino acids. These are essential for building and maintaining muscles, skin, hair, and enzymes themselves.
- Lactase : Breaks down milk sugar (lactose) and ensures that dairy products are well tolerated.
If certain digestive enzymes are lacking or present in insufficient quantities, intolerances, bloating, or digestive problems can occur. Some enzyme-rich foods, such as pineapple or papaya, can additionally support digestion through their own enzymes.
Metabolic enzymes
Metabolic enzymes control and accelerate countless reactions in your metabolism—everything related to energy, growth, cell development, and muscle performance. They are involved in all essential processes that release and utilize energy from food.
Example:
- Hexokinase : Starts the breakdown of sugar (glycolysis) in every cell in the body.
- Creatine kinase : Provides power to muscle cells by enabling rapid energy transfer, especially important during physical exertion.
Disturbances in these enzymatic processes can result in energy loss, weakness or metabolic diseases.
Repair enzymes
Repair enzymes are your body's "maintenance force." They detect damage in cells and genetic material (DNA), repair it, or eliminate dangerous changes. This prevents damaged cells from multiplying and causing disease.
Example
- DNA polymerase : Corrects errors or damage in the genetic material, especially during cell division.
- Superoxide dismutase (SOD) : Protects against free radicals by neutralizing reactive oxygen molecules, important for cell protection and healthy aging.
Malfunctions in this repair team can lead to an accumulation of cell damage and increase the risk of disease or accelerated aging.
Enzymes in the immune system
The immune system also relies on enzymes. They help identify and neutralize invading pathogens or defective cells. They also regulate inflammatory processes and support subsequent healing processes, for example, after an injury.
Example:
- Lysozyme : Found in saliva and tears, it destroys the cell wall of many bacteria, a kind of first protective barrier.
- Peroxidase : Supports white blood cells in fighting viruses, fungi and bacteria.
- Caspases : Play a crucial role in the targeted self-destruction (apoptosis) of damaged cells, which frees the immune system from tumor cells or virus-infected cells.
A balanced immune system is closely linked to the activity of these enzymes.
Enzymes and their importance for health
Healthy digestion through enzymes
Without digestive enzymes, our bodies would be unable to break down and absorb macronutrients from food. Problems such as bloating, intolerances, or a feeling of fullness are often due to a deficiency or impaired function of certain enzymes.
Product tip : Our MTM Vegan Protein contains purely plant-based ingredients, is particularly well-tolerated and designed for optimal absorption. The proteins contained can be efficiently utilized by the body's own enzymes. Ideal for vegans, athletes, or people with sensitive digestive systems.
Enzymes for fitness & fast regeneration
Enzymes play a crucial role in the release and conversion of energy from ingested nutrients. They are therefore indispensable for physically active individuals: During exercise, they support energy production in muscle cells, helping you maintain performance. Enzymes are also needed after exercise; they help break down metabolic waste products like lactate and support the repair and development of muscle tissue.
Another important advantage is their natural anti-inflammatory effect: Enzymes can help to more quickly resolve minor inflammatory processes caused by intense exercise, thus relieving the burden on the immune system. This leads overall to faster recovery, less muscle soreness, and sustainably improved performance.
Protection against environmental influences and aging
Oxidative stress, caused, for example, by harmful environmental influences, UV radiation, smoking, or even intense physical activity, produces so-called free radicals in the body. These aggressive oxygen molecules can attack and damage important cell components such as membranes, proteins, or even DNA.
Certain enzymes act like protective shields: They neutralize free radicals and thus prevent major damage to cells. These antioxidant enzymes include superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione peroxidase. They significantly support cell repair and maintenance, ensure balance in cellular metabolism, and help mitigate the effects of stress and overload in the body.
You can find out more about the role of micronutrients in cellular health in our knowledge area .
How can you support your enzymes?
Nutrition and enzyme activity
A fresh, balanced diet provides important enzyme building blocks such as amino acids , vitamins , and minerals . Raw foods, fermented foods, and gently cooked foods in particular contain many natural enzymes or substances that stimulate the body's own enzyme production.
Recommended enzyme sources:
- Pineapple and papaya (contain bromelain and papain)
- Fermented products such as sauerkraut or kimchi
- Seedlings and sprouts
- Fresh fruit and vegetables
How sensitive are enzymes to heat and storage?
Many enzymes are very sensitive to heat; they generally lose their activity at temperatures between 42 and 60 degrees Celsius. When foods are cooked, fried, or pasteurized, most enzymes are destroyed (denatured) and can no longer perform their function in the body. The same applies to prolonged storage or freezing: Here, too, enzymatic activity decreases over time.
Therefore, it's recommended to eat a portion of your food raw or gently cooked every day, for example, as fresh salad, sprouts, fruit, or lightly steamed vegetables. This preserves a maximum of natural enzymes and can actively contribute to your well-being.
Demand for enzymes, are there shortages?
Under certain circumstances, your enzyme activity may be limited, for example due to:
- Age & Illnesses
- One-sided diet (heavily processed)
- Stress, alcohol consumption, medication
An enzyme deficiency often manifests itself in symptoms such as feeling full, bloating, digestive problems or tiredness after eating.
With the MTM Vegan Protein You can specifically support your diet with plant-based ingredients without putting a strain on your body. Thanks to its optimized amino acid profile, it's particularly well-absorbed by enzymes.
Medical use of enzymes
Enzymes are used therapeutically in various areas, such as:
- Digestive disorders: Certain enzymes help people suffering from intolerances. For example, lactase supports the breakdown of milk sugar (lactose), thus allowing for the symptom-free consumption of dairy products even with lactose intolerance. Enzyme supplements are also prescribed to support pancreatic weakness caused by disease (e.g., pancreatin).
- Inflammation and healing processes: Enzymes such as bromelain (from pineapple) and papain (from papaya) are used in conjunction with the treatment of sports injuries, swelling, or post-surgery relief. They can reduce inflammation, promote circulation, and shorten healing times.
-Chronic inflammatory diseases: Enzyme preparations are also used as a supplement in diseases such as arthritis, rheumatic diseases, or Crohn's disease, as they can help reduce inflammatory activity and improve quality of life.
- Supporting wound healing: Special enzyme combinations can promote the healing of wounds, burns, or after major surgery by breaking down dead tissue and specifically supporting the immune system.
Dietary supplements with added enzymes are becoming more and more common, but not every product delivers what it promises.
Important : quality, dosage and individual tolerance.
Risks, side effects & myths about enzymes
Enzymes are normally harmless to healthy people, as they are broken down into amino acids in the intestines. However, individual, specially added enzymes can be allergenic. The myth that "more enzymes are always better" is also not supported by science; the right balance and individuality are what count here.
However, for patients with certain diseases (e.g., pancreatic insufficiency), targeted enzyme supplementation represents an important treatment option. If you are unsure, you should consult your doctor or nutritionist.
FAQ: What are enzymes? Frequently asked questions
1. Where do enzymes occur?
They are present in every living organism and almost all cells.
2. Are digestive enzymes and other enzymes the same?
No, there are many different types with different functions. Digestive enzymes are just one of them.
3. Can I get enzymes through food?
Yes, especially through fresh, natural and minimally processed foods with a high raw food content.
4. Are enzymes of different importance for vegans?
Not necessarily different, but plant-based foods often require particularly effective digestion by enzymes in order to optimally absorb all nutrients.
5. Can enzyme supplements have side effects?
Rarely and usually only in cases of individual intolerances or allergies to certain ingredients.
Conclusion: Rely on enzymes for your all-round good body feeling
Enzymes are the true directors of your metabolism, from digestion to cell repair. With a varied diet and supporting products such as MTM Vegan Protein You can optimally harness the power of enzymes for vitality, efficient digestion, and an all-around good feeling. Be inspired, try new things, and visit our information section for even more tips on nutrition, enzymes, and well-being!
