If you are one of those trying to lose weight but frequently have issues related to digestion then it is high time to stop abusing your stomach and eliminate the obstacle in your weight loss journey. What do you think these obstacles are? These are the unhealthy foods causing indigestion due to low secretion of digestive enzymes.

Obesity and being overweight makes a person inactive. The unhealthy dietary habits make the digestive organs work harder and the body has to use whatever quantity of enzymes is left for breakdown of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. As a result, there is constant fat deposition in the body resulting in obesity.

We don’t realize but how-what and when we eat, plays a critical role in the health of the digestive system. Poor eating habits makes you feel bloated and less energetic as a result the fat mass keeps on depositing.

What are digestive enzymes

The proteins produced in the body from all the parts of the digestive tract that help to break the complex food molecules for better absorption in the bloodstream are called digestive enzymes. For providing essential nutrients to the body absorption of food is important rather than what food is consumed.

How digestive enzymes work

The biological process of the body is a result of chemical reactions that occur in the body. The enzymes work as a catalyst for breakdown of foods into nutrients. Different types of enzymes are responsible for different types of foods.

“Various organs make up the digestive system and each of the organs have an important role in breaking the food components such as fats, proteins, carbohydrates, sugar and vitamins. There is a secretion of particular enzymes in each stage of digestion that breaks down the food when required.

Enzymes are important for breakdown of food or else the food passes on to the small and large intestine resulting in digestive problems such as gastritis, diarrhea, constipation etc.

The passing of undigested food deprives the body from essential vitamins and nutrients and also causes cramps in the abdomen, compromises the immune system and invites various diseases. For better absorption of nutrients there are various types of enzymes produced. Three important digestive enzymes are amylase, protease and lipases.”

Amylase enzyme

This enzyme is made in the salivary glands and pancreas, and is responsible for breakdown of carbohydrates. It helps in breaking the starch into sugars.

If amylase is not secreted enough the undigested carbohydrates pass into the colon. These unbroken carbohydrates are digested by bacteria and microbes and results in formation of gas. This causes bloating, diarrhea and gas.

Protease enzyme

Protein is broken down into amino acids and peptides with the help of the enzyme protease. Amino acids are a form of proteins that plays a critical role in the formation of hormones and synthesis of neurotransmitters.

Undigested proteins become toxic and in a long run can cause colon cancer.

Lipases

Fats is broken down into glycerol and fatty acids with the enzyme lipase. These enzymes are produced in the cells of the stomach and pancreas. It is important for absorption of important fatty acids and vitamins such as A, D, E and K.

Deficiency of lipase hormone leaves the fats undigested. This leads to gastrointestinal problems, compromises metabolism and can cause weight gain.

Invertase

These enzymes help in breakdown of simple molecules.

Symptoms of poor digestion are

So now you know when your digestive system is not working properly.

Factors responsible for poor secretion of digestive enzymes

The way machines go through wear and tear when used for more than its caliber, in the same way unhealthy food habits overtime makes the digestive system weak. Some of the reasons for poor breakdown of food may be due to defects in pancreas or other medical issues but most of it is because of wrong food habits and lifestyle disorders. Some of the reasons for sluggish digestion include –

All of the above leads to poor digestion, prevents weight loss and results in excessive weight gain.

Natural digestive enzyme 

Certain fruits and vegetables are good sources of digestive enzymes and can be used to repair the faulty digestion. Some of the natural digestive enzymes includes–

How digestive enzymes helps in weight loss

The proper secretion of the enzymes signifies proper digestion and optimum digestion is a key to good health. Proper functioning of digestive enzymes maintains the optimum function of metabolism. The enzymes are beneficial in managing an ideal weight, as a good metabolism supports burning of extra calories.

Good digestion promotes weight loss in obese person

Good digestion denotes optimum secretion of digestive enzymes and secretion of such enzymes promotes weight loss. The following properties of digestive enzymes helps an obese person to lose weight.

Better absorption of nutrients

When the nutrients are absorbed efficiently it helps in shedding extra pounds by preventing the hunger for nutrition. As the body sends the hunger message if there is a requirement of nutrients by the body and this makes you eat more food. Consuming nutrient rich food with poor absorption will make you eat more and more unless the need is fulfilled.

Energy booster

You are more active when you are energetic. A lethargic body is one of the symptoms of poor digestion. Better the absorption better is the supply of nutrients to the body and hence the body is more energized.

Eliminates the toxins

Proper functioning of digestive enzymes quickly removes the wastes from the body. The undigested food accumulated in the digestive tract becomes toxic if not eliminated. Proper digestion and elimination of the toxin helps in weight loss.

Supports good bacteria

Undigested food compromises the environment of the gut. As a result, the bad bacteria out-grows the good bacteria and may be because of this there is craving for junk foods. Digestive enzymes maintain the growth of good bacteria.

Decreases the inflammation

The digestive tracts are inflamed because of undigested foods and this adversely affects the metabolism and thus impairs the process of weight loss. With the proper working of digestive enzymes the inflammation is lowered.

Conclusion

Digestive enzymes play a crucial role in maintaining the overall health of a person and also promotes weight loss and maintains a healthy weight as well.