How They Work, Why They Matter, and Where You Get Them

ENZYMES

What Are Enzymes?

Enzymes are proteins that act as biological catalysts—which means they speed up chemical reactions in your body without being used up themselves.

They’re involved in everything from:

  • Breaking down food

  • Building muscle

  • Copying DNA

  • Healing injuries

  • Regulating metabolism

Without enzymes, life as we know it wouldn’t exist. Every single process in your body relies on them.

What Do Enzymes Do in the Body?

1. Digestive Enzymes – Help break down food into absorbable nutrients

Enzyme Breaks Down Found In

  • Amylase Carbohydrates (e.g., starch → sugar) Saliva, pancreas

  • Protease Proteins (e.g., meat → amino acids) Stomach (pepsin), pancreas

  • Lipase Fats (e.g., oils → fatty acids) Pancreas, intestines

  • Lactase Lactose (milk sugar) Small intestine

  • Maltase, sucrase Simple sugars Small intestine

They turn food into molecules your body can actually absorb and use.

2. Metabolic Enzymes – Drive internal processes like:

  • Energy production (ATP)

  • Detoxification

  • Hormone synthesis

  • Muscle contraction

  • Nerve signaling

  • DNA repair

These enzymes are built inside your cells and keep all your systems working smoothly.

3. Repair Enzymes – Help your body recover from:

  • Inflammation

  • Injury

  • Oxidative stress

  • Cellular damage

They act like your body’s internal maintenance crew.

How Do Enzymes Work?

Enzymes work like a lock and key:

  1. A molecule (called the substrate) fits into the enzyme’s active site

  2. The enzyme changes the substrate in some way (breaks it down, builds it up)

  3. A new molecule (product) is released

  4. The enzyme is ready to go again

One enzyme can perform thousands of reactions per second—they’re incredibly efficient!

Where Do Enzymes Come From?

  1. Your body makes them naturally

    • The pancreas, stomach, liver, and intestines produce most digestive enzymes

    • Every cell makes metabolic enzymes

  2. You can also get enzymes from food, especially raw or fermented foods:

    • Pineapple (bromelain – digests protein)

    • Papaya (papain – digests protein)

    • Kiwi

    • Raw honey

    • Avocado

    • Fermented foods: yogurt, sauerkraut, kefir

    • Sprouted seeds and legumes

Heat destroys enzymes, so raw and fermented foods are the best sources.

What Happens If You Don’t Have Enough Enzymes?

  • Poor digestion

  • Bloating, gas, constipation

  • Nutrient deficiencies

  • Food intolerances (like lactose intolerance, due to low lactase)

  • Fatigue or poor recovery

  • Slower healing

In some cases (like pancreatic insufficiency or celiac disease), people need enzyme supplements to digest food properly.

Enzyme Supplements – Do You Need Them?

You might benefit if you have:

  • Bloating or gas after meals

  • Trouble digesting fats or protein

  • Lactose intolerance

  • Pancreatic issues

  • Undiagnosed digestive issues

Supplements are usually safe short-term, but it’s best to get tested or speak with a professional before taking them long-term.

How to Support Natural Enzyme Function

  • Eat slowly and chew well – digestion starts in the mouth

  • Include raw or fermented foods regularly

  • Avoid constant snacking (let your gut reset between meals)

  • Don’t eat in a stressed state—relax before meals

  • Stay hydrated (enzymes work best in a fluid environment)

Final Thoughts

Enzymes are the unsung heroes of your health—working quietly but powerfully behind the scenes in every process your body performs.

They help you:

  • Turn food into energy

  • Heal and repair

  • Stay nourished and balanced

By supporting your digestion, reducing stress, and eating a diverse, enzyme-rich diet, you help your enzymes do their job—and your whole body benefits.