What is glucoamylase & Health benefits?
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What is glucoamylase & Health benefits?
Glucoamylase is a digestive enzyme that grabs a glucose molecule from the chains that form starch, or from maltose. This glucose molecule ends up as an energy source for the body. Its role is to assist in breaking down the starch that occurs in the vegetables contained in our diet.
There is a great deal of this starch in common vegetables like potato, wheat, and rice. Our bodies naturally produce this enzyme in our mouths and pancreas. However, it may also be sourced in non-animal materials. Glucoamylase is also sometimes called amyloglucosidase.
Possibly you have wondered why some foods that are high in starch, like potato or bread, taste slightly sweet in the mouth while we are chewing them. This taste is the effect of the glucoamylase breaking off glucose molecules as the food is chewed.[i] [ii]
Put more simply; glucoamylase is a type of enzyme that breaks down starches into glucose, which can then be used by the body. There are twelve types of enzymes in the human body, which are:
1. lipase,
2. cellulase,
3. lactase,
4. protease,
5. pectinase,
6. amylase,
7. antioxidants,
8. cathespin,
9. papain
10. invertase
11. glucoamylase
12. bromelain
Enzymes play an essential role in our bodies. They are a catalyst for chemical reactions that are required to carry out various processes.[iii]
In addition to the naturally occurring glucoamylase that is made by our bodies, supplements are available that are made from both animal and vegetable sources.
Vegetarians generally opt for the supplement made from Aspergillus fungi, which grows on a wide variety of substrates, like soil plants, trees, crops, and rotting leaves.[iv]
Health benefits of glucoamylase
Next, we go on to looking at What is glucoamylase & Health benefits. The two most significant staple foods globally are potatoes and rice. Both of these foods are high in starch. These carbohydrates have some nutritional value they need enzymes to be digested by the body. Glucoamylase is one such enzyme that can force the breakdown of these starches into glucose. The glucose is easy to absorb and ready to use. This process reduces the amount of work that our digestive system needs to carry out. This process also leads to a noticeable reduction in a feeling of discomfort, bloating, loose stools, and gas.
Reduces the effects of irritable bowel syndrome
One double-blind crossover test has concluded that glucoamylase, when combined with other enzymes, can cause a significant reduction in the feeling of being bloated, gas, and a sensation of feeling full. Based on this, they have concluded that enzymes may help IBS.
Reduces digestive upset
Many people swear by digestive enzyme supplements and are certain that they aid their digestion and allows smoother absorption and a reduction of foods that might irritate. Glucoamylase is not a cure for any disease, but it is most certainly an aid for digestion.
An aid for the immune system
Studies have shown that glucoamylase when used with other enzymes, will result in a normal autoimmunity response.
Where people suffer from disorders of the autoimmune system, this can lead to serious damage long term. Damage and while glucoamylase is not a cure, it does positively assist the autoimmune system.[v]
Encourages a healthy blood sugar balance
There was a study carried out in 2009 and subsequently published in the Journal of Nutrition. This study concluded that glucoamylase has a critical role in the digestion of starch. And in balancing the blood sugar around meals. This study, utilizing mice, proved that glucoamylase plays a crucial role in breaking down sugar from food.
One thing is obvious, and that is sufferers of kidney disease, high blood pressure, lupus, food allergies, and rheumatoid arthritis, will all benefit from taking glucoamylase supplements.
Looking deeper
Our original question was, "What is glucoamylase & Health benefits." We have looked in-depth at what are the health benefits, so now I would like to return to the "What is glucoamylase" part of the question.
Digestive enzymes are essential and natural, part of our digestive system. We produce them in our mouth and pancreas (and some other places). Their role is to hurry up the chemical reactions working on converting nutrients into the kind of material that your digestive system can absorb. Your saliva naturally has digestive enzymes in it. Some of the other organs also can produce these enzymes (pancreas, gallbladder, and liver). Cells on the surface of your intestines are also part of the system and can secrete them as well.
The different nutrients have their own enzymes that target them.
· Amylase - targets carbs and starches and then breaks them down
· Protease - This works on the proteins
· Lipase - is responsible for handling fats.
There are some readily available natural sources of digestive enzymes. Eating these foods can improve your digestion.
· Honey - Buy the raw kind; it has both amylase and protease.
· Mangoes and bananas - these fruits have amylase.
· Papaya - This fruit has a special kind of protease called papain.
· Avocados - They contain the digestive enzyme called lipase.
· Saurkraut or fermented cabbage- the fermentation process that this food endures picks up enzymes.
Some conditions stop your body from producing enough digestive enzymes. If you have one of these conditions, you may suffer from stomach aches gas and diarrhoea. Lactose intolerance is one such condition that can make the digestion of dairy products difficult.[vi]
The other condition is Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). This condition occurs when there has been some damage to the pancreas. Some examples are:
· Pancreatic Cancer - this starts within the tissues that comprise your pancreas.
· Cystic fibrosis - which is a genetic condition. It hits the lungs, digestive system, and other organs.
· Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis).
Important Disclaimer
Our aim in this article is to provide an easily understandable answer to "what is glucoamylase & Health benefits." Our article comes from reliable sources and is correct to the best of our knowledge. However, nothing in this article should be taken as medical advice, and you should always seek a professional medical opinion before commencing any treatment.