In our lives, people often don't notice that there are some magical enzymes that play the role of magicians in the biological world. They can cause strange changes in organisms in an instant, and then produce a large number of new substances. They can make food more delicious; let all kinds of food rich in various nutrients come to the world continuously, adding endless fun to human life. In terms of protecting human health, enzymes have made greater contributions. Modern scientists' research on enzymology has entered a new stage, and all kinds of enzymes will surely bring us good news.
The most essential component of enzymes is protein, which is a biological catalyst produced by living cells in organisms. It can efficiently catalyze various biochemical reactions under very mild conditions in the body. Different enzymes have different functions, such as digestion and metabolism, and correcting the functions of hormones such as insulin and glucagon. Many enzymes help break down food molecules and compounds such as lactose and protein, which can help properly absorb these nutrients. Don't underestimate this substance. There are a large number of enzymes in the human body, with complex structures and a wide variety of types. So far, more than 6,000 types have been discovered. They dominate the metabolism, nutrition and energy conversion of organisms. Many catalytic processes and reactions closely related to life processes are enzyme-catalyzed reactions. Enzymes are essential substances for the existence of life, and many diseases are caused by the lack or imbalance of enzymes.
Take starch eaten daily as an example. Starch is digested in the digestive tract and hydrolyzed into glucose by amylase and other catalytic enzymes. And glucose entering the cell also needs enzyme catalysis. The various metabolisms of glucose in cells are a series of reactions catalyzed by enzymes. These reactions oxidize glucose into carbon dioxide and water and supply energy, and then turn into other substances such as fat. Compared with its combustion outside the body, the oxidation of glucose in the body has the same products of carbon dioxide and water, and both release energy at the same time, but the oxidation in the body is catalyzed by enzymes and is carried out under mild conditions such as room temperature. It goes through many steps and gradually releases energy that is easy to use, which is different from combustion outside the body.
The human body needs no less than a hundred kinds of proteins, some of which can be synthesized and manufactured by itself; some cannot be synthesized and must be taken from the outside. Protein is the material for forming and repairing various tissue cells in the body. Protein is the basis of all life substances. As we age, protein will continue to decompose, so most elderly people are relatively thin. The digestion and absorption of protein is mainly in the small intestine of the human body, and the function of the stomach is to decompose. The source of protein is proportional to the food and the protein absorbed and discharged every day. Therefore, the human body must take in a certain amount of protein every day as a material for forming and repairing tissues.
The number of enzymes produced in a person's life is limited. The older we are, the more our body relies on enzymes in food. If we do not take in enough enzymes in food, our body will be forced to consume metabolic enzymes from other parts of the body. These enzymes are needed for the organs and systems of the body to function normally, so the more we consume the body's natural enzyme reserves, the greater the harm to our health will be.
