✅ Protease
A protease is an enzyme responsible for cleaving peptide bonds within protein molecules, making the nutrients more accessible for absorption by the body. Look for supplements with multiple different proteases, as a broad spectrum ensures maximum absorption at each critical stage of the digestive process.
✅ Amylase
An amylase breaks down complex carbohydrates, specifically starches, into simpler sugars like maltose and glucose that are easily absorbed by the body. Crucial for energy and overall metabolic function, they begin to initiate digestion in the mouth and continue throughout the small intestine.
✅ Alpha-Galactosidase
Alpha-galactosidase facilitates the digestion of oligosaccharides found in legumes and cruciferous vegetables. By breaking down these compounds before they reach the colon, it helps avoid gas and bloating often associated with high-fiber foods, aiding in smoother digestion and nutrient absorption.
✅ Lactase
Lactase processes lactose, the primary sugar in milk products, into glucose and galactose, simpler sugars readily absorbed by the body. With more than 68% of the world population suffering from lactose malabsorption, lactase is crucial to ensure proper nutrient assimilation from dairy and mitigate lactose intolerance.
✅ Invertase
Invertase catalyzes the hydrolysis of sucrose into its constituent sugars, glucose and fructose. Invertase plays a critical role in digesting table sugar and other sucrose-rich foods inside the small intestine, facilitating their absorption into the bloodstream and supporting energy metabolism.
✅ Lipase
Lipase works together with bile excreted by the liver to break down fats consumed through your diet into glycerol and free fatty acids. It ensures efficient fat digestion within the small intestine, aids in the absorption of fat-soluble nutrients, and is essential for maintaining healthy lipid levels in the body.
✅ Maltase
Maltase is responsible for breaking down maltose into glucose. Inside the small intestine, it is crucial for the digestion of starchy foods, especially grains like wheat and barley, and converting them into usable energy while supporting carbohydrate metabolism and overall digestive health.
✅ Peptidase
Like a protease, peptidase is critical in the digestive system for breaking down proteins. Whereas proteases begin the process of protein digestion by breaking them down into peptides, peptidase completes the final step by breaking them down further into individual amino acids for absorption and use by the body.
