Digestive enzymes are produced by the gut and the pancreas. They break down our food (carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids) into smaller molecules. These smaller molecules are easier to absorb and transport throughout the body.

Digestive enzymes are classified based on what they digest. Our enzyme blend Masszymes contains all of these enzymes to ensure the proper digestion of all food groups: 

• Amylase digests starches.
• Alpha galactosidase can digest the milk sugar lactose (milk sugar) into glucose and galactose, reducing potential bloating and other gut problems from milk.
• Cellulase breaks down cellulose fibers into simple sugars.
• Proteases break down peptide bonds of dietary proteins to absorb amino acids.
• Bromelain is extracted from the pineapple, and its digestive activity doesn’t disappear after absorption. It breaks down proteins into amino acids.
• Glucoamylase breaks down partially processed starches into glucose.
• Lactase breaks down lactose, a disaccharide, into simple sugars. Lactose is usually found in dairy products.
• Lipase is responsible for the digestion of fats in food. Specifically, it breaks down lipids called triglycerides into free fatty acids and glycerol.
• Invertase catalyzes table sugar (sucrose) into glucose and fructose—two simple sugars.
• Malt diastase helps digest starch into maltose, which is further broken down into glucose.
• Phytase catalyzes the breakdown of phytic acid or phytates.
• Phytates are major forms of mineral chelators found in grains and legumes. They bind to important minerals, such as iron, magnesium, and calcium, preventing the absorption of these minerals.
• Pectinase is an enzyme that breaks down pectin found in plants. Pectin is a form of plant fiber, which gives strength to the cell wall of plants. 
• Hemicellulase can digest hemicellulose, a type of cellulose found in plant cell walls. Glucans, galactans, xylans, mannans, and pentosans are all different types of plant hemicellulose.
• Beta-Glucanase digests carbohydrates, specifically beta-glucan, breaking down the glycosidic bonds within.
• Peptidase is a form of protease that breaks down dietary proteins into amino acids. 
• AstraZyme is a special blend of proteolytic enzymes, including extracts of Astragalus membranaceusPanax notoginseng, and trace minerals.

Many types of sugars, fibers, and starches are not easily digested, and humans don’t naturally produce enzymes that digest these foods. These are left for your gut bacteria to ferment, which may cause gas and bloating, especially if your gut bacteria aren’t adapted to these foods. Supplemental digestive enzymes can help with digestive discomfort, bloating, and other symptoms you may experience from eating these foods.