Enzymasic®

Yamamoto® Research’s Enzymasic is a dietary supplement consisting of a blend of plant substrate enzymes (amylase, protease, glucoamylase, lipase, cellulase, lactase and pectinase), to which the enzymes bromelain, papain and alpha-galactosidase have been added. Supplementation with Enzymasic provides excellent support for gastrointestinal stress, thus improving the absorption of nutrients and promoting the digestion of the macromolecules that are most difficult to break down, such as certain proteins, gluten, caseins and lactose.

Digestion is a fundamental process for nutrient absorption, and digestive enzymes play a crucial role in the breakdown of food. These protein molecules act as catalysts in the biochemical reactions that take place inside our body, by transforming substances into simpler molecules to aid their absorption. Digestive enzymes are present in various segments of the gastrointestinal tract and have specific functions, such as the breakdown of fats, carbohydrates and proteins. Their deficiency can lead to digestive disorders such as digestion problems, meteorism, bloating, irritable bowel syndrome and malabsorption resulting in a reduced nutrient intake.

Yamamoto Research’s Enzymasic is a dietary supplement formulated to promote the digestion and absorption of nutrients, thanks to the presence of a blend of digestive enzymes of plant origin. It contains digestive enzymes such as protease, amylase, lipase, cellulase and lactase, which act synergistically to break down the nutrients in food and promote their absorption in the gut. Enzymasic can therefore be useful for those suffering from digestive disorders such as bloating, sense of heaviness, digestive problems or food intolerances.

Enzymasic can also be useful for those on protein- or carbohydrate-rich diets, as these nutrients require greater enzymatic activity to be broken down and assimilated by the body.

What are the digestive enzymes contained in Enzymasic and how do they work?

Enzymes of plant origin act at alkaline pH and temperatures of between 20 and 30 °C. Like the enzymes produced by our bodies, they can be classified according to their specific function:

• Amylases – produced by the pancreas and salivary glands, they convert starches and sugars.
• Proteases – break the bonds between proteins and therefore have proteolytic activity and allow the amino acids making up the individual protein to be assimilated.
• Glucoamylases – enzymes that, together with amylase, help us digest carbohydrate-based foods such as rice or potatoes, and are particularly useful for digesting amylopectin, the most widespread form of starch in nature.
• Lipases – convert triglycerides, breaking down the long chains of fatty acids. They therefore characterise the digestion of dietary fats.
• Cellulases – break down cellulose and plant matter, and are usually produced by fungi, bacteria and protozoa. They aid the digestion of dietary fibres that are usually not digested by the human body.
• Lactases – as the name suggests, digest lactose, milk and its derivatives, by breaking these molecules down into simple sugars (glucose and galactose).
• Pectinases – enzymes that break down fruit pectin, thereby increasing its nutritional and prebiotic value.
• Bromelain – a type of enzyme with proteolytic activity also known for its systemic effects on inflammation and oxidation.
• Papain – extracted from Papaya juice, has a proteolytic action as well as numerous biological activities, including anti-inflammatory and anti-oedemic effects.
• Alpha-Galactosidases – promote the absorption of complex carbohydrates from food, consequently reducing fermentation processes and counteracting the formation of gas.

How can I tell if I have a digestive enzyme deficiency?

Digestive enzyme deficiency can result in a number of digestive symptoms and disorders, including:

• Digestive problems, such as feelings of heaviness, abdominal bloating and pain.
• Meteorism and flatulence, with excessive production of intestinal gas.
• Diarrhoea or constipation, due to a reduced nutrient absorption capacity.
• Feelings of acidity and stomach pains, due to insufficient digestion of carbohydrates and fats.
• Irritable bowel disease, characterised by abdominal pain, diarrhoea or constipation and bloating.
• Fatigue and exhaustion after meals, due to excessive strain on the digestive system.
• Nausea and vomiting, in the presence of a severe digestive enzyme deficiency.

A digestive enzyme deficiency can result in an insufficient intake of nutrients, vitamins and minerals, due to a reduction in the capacity to break down and absorb food, which can lead to a range of symptoms and disorders associated with malnutrition.

Scientific references
Agrawal P, Nikhade P, Patel A, Mankar N, Sedani S. Bromelain: A Potent Phytomedicine. Cureus. 2022 Aug 11;14(8):e27876. doi: 10.7759/cureus.27876. PMID: 36110474; PMCID: PMC9463608.

Whitcomb DC, Lowe ME. Human pancreatic digestive enzymes. Dig Dis Sci. 2007 Jan;52(1):1-17. doi: 10.1007/s10620-006-9589-z. Epub 2007 Jan 5. PMID: 17205399.

Methfessel J. Biochemie der Verdauungsenzyme des Pankreas [Biochemistry of the digestive enzymes of the pancreas]. Dtsch Z Verdau Stoffwechselkr. 1965 Oct;25(4):180-2. German. PMID: 5888882.

Jensen MS, Jensen SK, Jakobsen K. Development of digestive enzymes in pigs with emphasis on lipolytic activity in the stomach and pancreas. J Anim Sci. 1997 Feb;75(2):437-45. doi: 10.2527/1997.752437x. PMID: 9051467.