Broad Spectrum Non-Animal Derived Digestive Enzymes

Broad Spectrum Non-Animal Derived Digestive Enzymes

Background

Broad spectrum non-animal derived digestive enzymes may be supplemented to promote healthy digestive function. A multienzyme complex may assist the breakdown of protein, fats and carbohydrates to aid digestive health and relieve digestive system discomfort.[1]

Of leading importance are the pancreatic enzymes which facilitate the breakdown of protein, fats and carbohydrates. Breakdown and absorption of macronutrients primarily takes place in the small intestine and is mediated by adequate production of pancreatic protease (to digest proteins), amylase (to digest carbohydrates), lipase (to digest fats) and lactase (to digest lactose). Supplementation with a multi enzyme complex may increase digestive enzymes and support the assimilation of nutrients.[2]

Helps Enhance Healthy Digestive System Function

Broad spectrum non-animal derived enzymes offer advantages over enzymes derived from animals including resistance to inactivation by stomach acid. Non-animal derived enzymes possess broad activity throughout a wide range of pH conditions inherent to the digestive tract.[2],[3],[4] Porcine derived pancreatic enzymes may display inherent limitations.[4]

Sources and functions of non-animal derived enzymes

Aspergillus oryzae is a filamentus (threadlike) fungi known to have prominent potential for the secretory production of several enzymes including amylase, protease and tilactase.[5],[6]

Amylase from Aspergillus oryzae assists with the digestion of carbohydrates (starches & other polysaccharides). Protease derived from Aspergillus oryzae assists the digestion of protein (large amino acid chains). Tilactase produced by Aspergillus oryzae aids the digestion of lactose (milk sugar) by aiding the breakdown of lactose to glucose and galactose.[4] Improved lactase activity may assist digestive health.[7] The enzyme tilactase is the Australian approved name for lactase.[4]

Trichoderma longibrachiatum is a known celluloltyic fungi. Research suggests the cellulase activity of T. Longibrachiatum activity may be linked with the induction of xylanase activity.[8],[9] Parallels have been drawn between the relationship of hemicellulose and cellulose in plant biomass.[8],[9] Cellulase obtained from Trichoderma longibrachiatum assists the breakdown of cellulose, an indigestible plant polysaccharide.[4],[8],[9]

Rhizopus oryzae: Lipases of rhizopus species family are important and versatile enzymes.[10]

Lipase obtained from Rhizopus oryzae is a lipid degrading enzyme (triglycerides and other lipids).[4] Lipase is also involved in absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.[10]

• Amylase from Aspergillus oryzae assists breakdown of starch.
• Protease from Aspergilllus oryzae assists digestion.
• Lipase from Rhizopus oryzae assists breakdown of dietary fat.
• Lactase from Aspergillus oryzae assists breakdown of lactose which is the sugar naturally found in dairy foods.
• Cellulase from Trichoderma longibrachiatum assists breakdown of cellulose plant fibre. This helps assimilation of nutrients in fruits and vegetables.

Relieves Symptoms of Dyspepsia

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is characterised by a collection of symptoms that may include bloating, nausea, heartburn, burping and post-prandial fullness.[11] A multienzyme complex was evaluated to investigate its effects in adults with functional dyspepsia.[11]

Methods: 40 adults diagnosed with FD were enlisted in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial. Subjects were administered either a multi-enzyme complex three times daily or a placebo over a 60 day period.

Results: Supplementation with a multienzyme complex was significantly associated with reductions in all indicators of efficacy compared to placebo. Findings suggest multienzyme supplementation was shown to be both a safe and effective in managing symptoms associated with functional dyspepsia.[11] 

Relieves Muscle Soreness

Multi enzyme supplementation was shown to statistically improve outcomes associated with delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) related to standardized eccentric exercise when compared to placebo.[12]

Methods: A double blind placebo-controlled trial was undertaken in 20 men (10 active, 10 placebo). Administration of either a placebo or a multi enzyme complex took place 3 times per day over a 3 day time-span. Multi enzyme supplemented participants showed statistically significant signs of efficacy compared to the placebo group on day 3 of the trial.[12]

Results: Subjective pain and tenderness assessments were undertaken with significant reductions noted in the enzyme supplemented group compared to placebo. Creatine Kinase (CK) is a marker associated with muscle damage. The multi enzyme supplemented group showed a lower CK response compared to placebo, suggestive of greater membrane integrity maintenance, although not clinically significant.[12]

The outcomes suggest supplementation with multi enzymes containing protease in combination with appropriate training programs may assist post exercise recovery associated with DOMS.[12]

Go to Broad Spectrum Non-Animal Derived Digestive Enzymes

References

1 Pizzorno JE, Murray MT. 2006. Textbook of Natural Medicine. 3rd Edition. Chapter 112. Pancreatic Enzymes. Page 1131-1146. Churchill Livingstone Elsevier.

2 Roxas, M. The role of enzyme supplementation in digestive disorders. Altern Med Rev. 2008 Dec;13(4):307-14.

3 Genomics of Aspergillus oryzae: Learning from the History of Koji Mold and Exploration of Its Future, Masayuki MACHIDA1,*, Osamu YAMADA2, and Katsuya GOMI3, DNA RESEARCH 15, 173–183, (2008).

4 Mycobiology.. doi: 10.5941/MYCO.2011.39.4.278 PMCID: PMC3385131, Identification and Characterization of Useful Fungi with α-Amylase Activity from the Korean Traditional Nuruk, Hye-Ryun Kim,1,2 Jae-Ho Kim,1 Dong-Hoon Bai,2 and Byung-Hak Ah http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3385131/?tool=pubmed, 2011 December; 39(4): 278–282. Published online 2011 December 7.

5 P.F. Omojasola and O.P. Jilani, 2008. Cellulase Production by Trichoderma longi, Aspergillus niger and Saccharomyces cerevisae Cultured on Waste Materials from Orange. Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences, 11: 2382-2388.

6 Interrelationship of Xylanase Induction and Cellulase Induction of Trichoderma longibrachiaturm, JOHN C. ROYER AND J. P. NAKAS*, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, State University of New York, Syracuse, New York 13210, May 1990.

7 Optimization of the high-level production of Rhizopus oryzae lipase in Pichia pastorisStefan Minning a, Alicia Serrano b, Pau Ferrer b, Carles Sola´ b,Rolf D. Schmida,*, Francisco Valero b,1, Journal of Biotechnology 86 (2001) 59–70.

8 Unique Feature and Application of Non-Animal Derived Enzymes, Dr Brad Rachman, Clinical Nutrition Insights, Vol. 5, No. 10,1997.

9 CMEC 47 Complementary Medicines Evaluation Committee, Extract Ratified Minutes Forty-seventh Meeting 13 August 2004. Australian Government, Department of Health and Ageing, Therapeutic Goods Administration. http://www.tga.gov.au/docs/html/cmec/cmecdr47.htm. Accessed 6 December 2010.

10 Ojetti V, Gigante G, Gabrielli M, et al. The effect of oral supplementation with Lactobacillus reuteri or tilactase in lactose intolerant patients: randomized trial. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2010 Mar;14(3):163-70

11 Hendler S, Rorvik D. 2008. PDR for Nutritional Supplements. Second Edition. Supplemental Enzymes. Page 597-602. PDR Network.a registered trademark of Sabinsa Corporation.