Overcome Bloating by Maintaining Healthy Digestive Enzymes

An enzyme is a type of protein in cells that functions to accelerate chemical reactions in the body. The role of enzymes in the digestive process is very important, namely to help break down food molecules into smaller particles so they are easily absorbed by the body. Enzymes are produced naturally in the body, namely in the stomach, pancreas, and small intestine. In addition, enzymes can also be produced by salivary glands when chewing food. However, certain health conditions and eating patterns can cause a lack of levels and quality of digestive enzymes in the body, causing complaints of flatulence.

How Enzymes Work in the Digestive Process

Enzymes are needed by various bodily functions, including in the digestive process, from the mouth (saliva), stomach, to the intestine. In general, there are three main types of digestive enzymes, including:

• Amylase enzyme

Amylase enzymes are produced in the salivary glands, pancreas, and small intestine. This enzyme has a function in breaking down carbohydrates into sugar, then absorbed into the body through the walls of the small intestine.

• Protease enzymes

Protease enzymes function to break down proteins into amino acids. This enzyme is produced in the stomach, pancreas, and small intestine. Most of the chemical reactions of this enzyme occur in the stomach and small intestine.

• Lipase enzyme

Lipase enzymes function in breaking down fats and oils, then turning them into glycerol and fatty acids. Although the lipase enzyme is produced in the pancreas and small intestine, this enzyme is also found in breast milk to help babies more easily digest fat molecules while breastfeeding.

There are certain conditions that make enzymes not function properly, usually when your body temperature rises or when you have a fever. In addition, it could also be due to health problems that inhibit the production and effectiveness of digestive enzymes, such as pancreatic disorders (eg pancreatic, pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, and pancreatic cancer), cystic fibrosis, or intolerance of certain foods or drinks (eg lactose intolerance). In these conditions, the body does not have enough digestive enzymes to be able to process food or drink intake, which triggers digestive disorders, and often causes bloating.

Overcome Bloating with Natural Digestive Enzymes

Besides being produced naturally by the body, digestive enzymes can also be obtained from foods such as fruits and vegetables. For example, bananas contain the digestive enzyme amylase, which helps the body's natural enzymes work. Therefore, choose the type of food that is rich in digestive enzymes to help digestive tract health, also to overcome flatulence. In addition to bananas, there are also several types of natural ingredients that are considered to have health benefits for digestive enzymes, and can help overcome the problem of flatulence, including:

• Pineapple

Pineapple is one of the fruits known to be rich in bromelain, an enzyme that helps digest proteins and is often used as a drug to reduce complaints of flatulence.

• Ginger

Ginger is often used to help relieve colds and cramps. However, ginger is also believed to contain enzymes that help absorption of protein, thereby reducing bloating due to gas that arises after consuming protein.

• Turmeric

Turmeric which is known to have many health benefits, is also often used to treat digestive complaints, including overcoming flatulence.

In addition, the content of peppermint and liquorice (licorice), is also believed to have benefits to help overcome digestive disorders, such as stomach ulcers, which often cause a decrease in the quality of digestive enzymes and cause complaints of flatulence. These ingredients are still being investigated for their health benefits of the digestive tract, but generally safe for consumption. There are even drugs or supplements that contain a variety of natural ingredients, to take advantage of digestive health. Enzymes have an important role in the digestion process. Therefore, digestive enzyme disorders will trigger complaints of flatulence, due to food that is not digested properly. It is recommended to regulate eating patterns to prevent flatulence, and to consume foods that contain lots of enzymes when the body experiences enzyme deficiency. Consumption of enzyme supplements should be done in consultation with a doctor, including the type of product and dosage.