| The more advanced liquid vitamin supplements | | | | are derivatives of vitamins (niacin and riboflavin). |
| today are starting to incorporate enzymes in the | | | | Lack of a particular vitamin or mineral can impair |
| ingredients. Why do vitamin supplements need to | | | | the action of its corresponding enzyme and lead |
| supplement enzymes? This is a very good | | | | to disease. This is an important reason to take a |
| question. In order to answer this question, the | | | | good daily vitamin supplement. |
| need to familiarize ourselves with enzymes is | | | | It is important to realize also that enzyme activity |
| necessary. | | | | can be activated, regulated, and inhibited. This is |
| An enzyme is a protein that catalyzes, or speeds | | | | done to ensure that the rate of the product |
| up, a chemical reaction. Enzymes are essential to | | | | formation responds to the needs of the cell. This |
| sustain life. Most chemical reactions in the body | | | | is a way of keeping the body in check, a natural |
| would occur too slowly, or would lead to different | | | | balance. Inhibition of enzymes is typically seen in |
| products without the assistance of enzymes. In | | | | medications, such as cholesterol, blood pressure, |
| fact, it is estimated that digestion of one meal | | | | and antibiotics. |
| would take 50 years without the help of | | | | For most enzymes operating in the human body, |
| enzymes. The reason enzymes are able to speed | | | | the optimal temperature is 37 degrees Celsius or |
| up reactions is because enzymes lower the | | | | 98 degrees Fahrenheit. At higher temperatures, |
| energy of activation required to begin the | | | | enzymes become denatured, meaning the three |
| reaction. This is the barrier that keeps many | | | | dimensional structure is destroyed and the |
| reactions from happening. | | | | enzyme becomes nonfunctional. If the enzyme |
| Enzymes have a specific pocket (the active site) | | | | only becomes partially denatured, it can |
| that contains an amino acid side chain. The amino | | | | sometimes regain its activity upon being cooled. |
| acid side chain creates a three dimensional | | | | For each enzyme, there is also an optimal pH |
| surface. The active site of the enzyme binds to | | | | above and below which enzymatic activity |
| the substrate (the molecule being acted upon by | | | | declines. Many human enzymes have a maximal |
| the enzyme), forming an enzyme-substrate | | | | activity at pH around 7.2, which is the pH of most |
| complex. This complex is converted to | | | | body fluids. However, there are exceptions such |
| enzyme-product; which further breaks down to | | | | as, pepsin. This enzyme is most effective in the |
| the enzyme and the product. It is important to | | | | highly acidic conditions of the stomach, pH 2. The |
| understand that enzymes are never changed | | | | pancreatic enzymes work optimally in the alkaline |
| during the reactions nor are enzymes consumed. | | | | conditions of the small intestine, pH 8.5. |
| Enzymes are simply catalysts in these reactions. | | | | Enzymes have a plethora of responsibilities in the |
| Enzymes are specific and very selective. Enzymes | | | | body; digestion, metabolism of carbohydrates, and |
| may catalyze only one reaction, or one specific | | | | much more. With all the right ingredients, the body |
| class of closely related reactions. Some enzymes | | | | can run like a well oiled machine. Advancements in |
| require the incorporation of a non-protein molecule | | | | health science recognize the need for enzyme |
| to become catalytically active, referred to as | | | | supplementation and have taken the first step. |
| cofactors (metal ions such as zinc, and iron) or | | | | The next step is using the health science |
| organic molecules known as coenzymes, which | | | | advancements to the body's advantage. |