![[Fact-Check Column] 4 Truths About Enzymes](http://esther-mall.com/cdn/shop/articles/10_7ad50ca0-ac93-4979-8139-7482b5094d48.jpg?v=1734158090&width=480)
Enzymes
4 Truths
1. Is the action of enzymes directly related to life?
2. You don't have to eat enzymes?
3. Are enzyme products health functional foods or body fat reduction functional foods?
4. The better the raw materials, the higher the titer of the enzymes?
1. Is the action of enzymes directly related to life?
YES. That is right.
Enzymes are catalysts that regulate chemical reactions in living organisms, and they play a very important role in maintaining life.
Substances that regulate the reaction rate in chemical reactions are called 'catalysts', and enzymes refer to catalysts that promote chemical reactions that take place in the body. In order for a specific chemical reaction to occur, the molecules participating in it must have energy beyond the 'activation energy', and enzymes reduce the activation energy of this chemical reaction, increasing the number of molecules that can participate in the reaction, and increasing the reaction speed.
Therefore, if there are no enzymes, chemical reactions cannot occur at all or occur very slowly, but the role of enzymes is indispensable for the maintenance of life because the chemical reactions that occur in our body refer to almost all functions of life, such as respiration, digestion and absorption, decomposition and excretion, detoxification and sterilization.
2. You don't have to eat enzymes, do you?
YES. That is right.
Enzymes are not necessarily substances that need to be supplemented with food. However, higher doses of certain enzymes may be required in some cases.
Enzymes are a type of protein that can be synthesized in the body, and they are already widely distributed in our cells. Therefore, if you have a young and healthy body, you do not necessarily need to supplement it with food.
However, there are some enzymes that require an increase in some cases. For example, when you eat too much, supplementing digestive enzymes can help. Digestive enzymes break down foods that are difficult to pass through the cell membranes of the digestive tract due to their large molecular weight into small molecule substances with low molecular weight so that the digestion and absorption process can be carried out smoothly. However, if you eat too much, you will not be able to properly absorb the nutrients contained in the food as well as feel nausea and bloating due to the relative lack of digestive enzymes compared to the substances (food) that need to be broken down. For this reason, most of the digestive supplements we come across on the market contain a mixture of several digestive enzymes.
In addition, digestive enzymes are known to decrease in their reserves in the body with age. Therefore, it is better to take into account the individual's physical condition and supplement it appropriately.
3. Are enzyme products health functional foods or fat reduction functional foods?
No.
Most products containing enzymes are classified as enzyme foods, not dietary supplements.
With the recent launch of various enzyme-containing products, many consumers are mistaking enzymes for health functional foods, especially those that reduce body fat.
The definition of 'enzyme food' in the Food Code announced by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety is 'food that contains a large amount of enzymes by cultivating edible microorganisms in plant-based raw materials, or extracting enzyme-containing parts from food or processed with them as the main raw material'. It's not a dietary supplement.
Therefore, it is recommended that you clearly know the definition of enzyme food and do not mistake it for having other functions, and choose according to your needs.
4.
The better the raw materials, the higher the potency of the enzymes?
No.
The potency value is a value that can be increased by adding "food additive enzymes", and it has little to do with the quality of the raw material itself.
The titer value is a measure of the activity of an enzyme, usually how quickly it can break down the desired substance in less than one minute. These titers are calculated by adding not only the titers of the enzymes contained in the main ingredient itself, but also the titers of the enzymes added by the "food additive enzymes". Taking advantage of this, some companies have sold products that contain digestive enzymes such as α-amylase and protease as simple "food additive enzymes" to increase the potency value. In July, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety asked related companies to strengthen their management. Therefore, judging the quality of raw materials by absolute titer values should be avoided.
However, it would be helpful to check whether it properly meets the requirements for enzyme food announced by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. If the main ingredient fermented from grains contains digestive enzymes such as α-amylase and protease, it can be considered an enzyme food that meets the requirements.
Fact-checking results
1. Is the action of enzymes directly related to life? YES
2. You don't have to eat enzymes? YES
3. Are enzyme products health functional foods or body fat reduction functional foods? NO
4. The better the raw materials, the higher the titer of the enzymes? NO
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