Enzymes: Catalysts of Life and Health

Enzymes’ function is to help trigger bodily processes ranging from digestion to blood clotting to growth. What is the best way to support enzyme production?

Enzymes

Enzymes are proteins that act as biological catalysts. They cause and speed up crucial chemical reactions and help the body complete necessary chemical reactions. They are vital for many biological processes, including digestion, metabolism, and molecule building and breaking down. This includes breaking down food, facilitating growth, and forming blood clots. Too little of a certain type can lead to serious health implications like a fatal buildup of toxins. Individuals missing a certain kind of enzyme or having too little of it can develop serious health conditions.

Function

They help speed up chemical reactions in the body (National Human Genome Research Institute, 2025). They facilitate chemical reactions in everything from digesting food to muscle growth. Enzymes facilitate this by binding to a cell, creating the reactions needed. With enzyme binding, chemical reactions can occur without destroying the cell. (Nemours KidsHealth, 2023) Each cell in the body has thousands of enzymes to help facilitate all the complex reactions to maintain health. (National Human Genome Research Institute, 2025)

Factors Affecting Production

In healthy individuals, the body produces the enzymes it needs. However, metabolic disorders can occur if the body does not produce enough of a certain type. (Kennedy Krieger Institute, 2025) These disorders can be serious and are usually caused by a genetic malfunction that impacts production.

Types

There are thousands of different types. Digestive enzymes, for example, aid in the breakdown of food and convert it into energy. Common enzymes that are critical for health include (Nemours KidsHealth, 2023)

Amylase

• Digestive helps break down starches.

Aspartate aminotransaminase (AST) and Alanine Aminotransaminase (ALT)

• Help the liver convert sugar into energy.

Creatine Kinase (CK)

• Helps muscles create energy.

DNA Polymerase

• Facilitates growth by allowing DNA to duplicate.

Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase

• Keeps red blood cells healthy by preventing damage to the cell.

Lipase

• A digestive enzyme that helps break down fats and oils.

Protease

• Digestive helps break down proteins.

Thrombin

• Causes blood to clot.

Deficiencies

If the body doesn’t make enough of a certain enzyme, it cannot undergo the bodily processes that the enzyme helps facilitate. This can lead to a variety of symptoms. Some are minor, like not being able to eat lactose. Others are serious, like developmental delays caused by the build-up of toxins. (Kennedy Krieger Institute, 2025) Usually, these deficiencies are caused by genetics.

Types

There are various deficiencies. Some are very rare, while others can lead to conditions such as: (Nemours KidsHealth, 2023)

Lactose Intolerance

• This is caused by not having enough of the enzyme that breaks down lactose, a sugar found in milk, leading to gas and bloating.

Tay-Sachs Disease

• An often fatal disease caused by a missing hexosaminidase, which is responsible for breaking down fats

Gilbert’s Syndrome

• This is caused by a missing enzyme that removes waste product (bilirubin) from the blood, leading to bilirubin buildup and
• Jaundice or yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes

Galactosemia

• This leads to slow growth and trouble gaining weight, which is caused by the missing galactose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase (GALT), which helps break down a sugar called galactose.

Phenylketonuria (PKU)

• This is caused by having too little phenylalanine hydroxylase, which breaks down a protein called phenylalanine, causing brain damage.

Morquio Syndrome

• This is caused by having too few enzymes that break down glycosaminoglycans, a type of sugar molecule.
• This leads to bone and growth abnormalities.

Wilson’s Disease

• A liver disease is caused by a missing protein that helps break down copper in the body.

Enzyme Production Support

Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet of fruits and vegetables to support enzyme production. Avoid processed foods, especially those that are very fatty (Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2025). The body produces all the necessary enzymes unless the individual has a genetic condition. Supplements aren’t usually required, but they can help with lactose intolerance or digestion in cystic fibrosis patients. (Nemours KidsHealth, 2023)

One supplement type, pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT), is available. PERT is an FDA-regulated prescription medication prescribed to patients with serious illnesses such as cystic fibrosis. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2019)

Injury Medical Chiropractic & Functional Medicine Clinic

Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic works with primary healthcare providers and specialists to develop an optimal health and wellness solution. We focus on what works for you to relieve pain, restore function, and prevent injury. Regarding musculoskeletal pain, specialists like chiropractors, acupuncturists, and massage therapists can help mitigate the pain through spinal adjustments that help the body realign itself. They can also work with other medical professionals to integrate a treatment plan to resolve musculoskeletal issues.

Chiropractic Care and Metabolism: The Hidden Link

References

National Human Genome Research Institute. (2025). Enzyme. Retrieved from www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Enzyme

Nemours KidsHealth. (2023). Enzymes. kidshealth.org/en/parents/enzymes.html

Kennedy Krieger Institute. (2025). Metabolic disorders. www.kennedykrieger.org/patient-care/conditions/metabolic-disorders

Johns Hopkins Health. (2025). Digestive enzymes and digestive enzyme supplements. www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/digestive-enzymes-and-digestive-enzyme-supplements#:~:text=You're%20better%20off%20building,your%20diet,%20especially%20fried%20foods.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2019). FDA approves new breakthrough therapy for cystic fibrosis. Retrieved from www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-new-breakthrough-therapy-cystic-fibrosis