Have you ever wondered how your body processes all the delicious food (and drinks) you consume each day? To answer this question, it is important to take a closer look at the digestion process as a whole and how each “player” contributes to its success.

While you may already be familiar with the various organs that are integral in digestion, did you know that there are other substances responsible for making this process smooth-sailing? This is where digestive enzymes come into the picture and make digestion easier so you can receive the nutrition your body needs.

Learn more about how digestion unfolds in the body, as well as the importance of the many enzymes needed in this process.

Which Body Parts Are Involved in Digestion?

To say that digestion is one of the most vital processes in our body is a huge understatement.  After all, it is during digestion that the body breaks down vital nutrients from food and utilizes these for various functions such as enhancing energy levels, repairing cells, and boosting growth.

Now, a lot of people may think that the digestive system is solely composed of organs that are not visible to the naked eye. However, did you know that the digestive system is actually made up of three solid organs (liver, pancreas, and gallbladder) and the gastrointestinal or GI tract? The latter is composed of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and anus.¹

So if you are wondering how digestion works from start to finish given that there many organs involved, take note of these steps:^2,3

1. After eating and chewing the food in your mouth, the tongue guides these towards the back of your throat and away from the trachea or windpipe.
2. The brain signals the muscles of your esophagus to contract and move the food towards the gastrointestinal tract in a process called peristalsis.⁴
3. The lower esophageal sphincter, located at the very end of the esophagus, relaxes and allows food particles to pass.
4. Food particles head over to the stomach, where acid and certain enzymes are released. The particles are then broken down further, resulting in a substance that’s liquid - or paste - like.
5. Food particles move towards the small intestine where it is mixed by the said organ’s muscles together with substances from the intestine, pancreas, and liver. Furthermore, the intestinal walls absorb water and some nutrients. Special cells in the said organ then take the nutrients and help them move through the intestinal lining and towards your bloodstream. 
6. Once the nutrients are in the bloodstream, these travel towards the liver. This very important organ helps keep, process, and distribute nutrients to other parts of the body that need them the most. In some cases, the nutrients are also stored in the liver and are “deployed” once there is a need for these. 
7. Waste products made of undigested food, fluid, and older cells discarded from the GI tract’s lining move towards the large intestine or colon. In this organ, some types of bacteria assist in breaking down nutrients (if there are some remaining) and converting them into vitamin K. At the same time, water is also absorbed by this organ so it can convert some of the other waste products from liquid into stool.
8. The stool then moves toward the rectum to be stored. Considered the lower portion of the large intestine, the rectum is responsible for eliminating stool via the anus during a bowel movement, thus ending the digestive process.

Although this digestive process occurs significantly among humans, the length of time it takes for these steps to move from start to finish actually varies between men and women.

According to health experts, overall digestion (including eliminating stool from the body via bowel movements) lasts for around two (2) to five (5) days. Again, take note that these aren’t absolute values since these still depend on an individual’s health.⁵

Why Are Enzymes Important for Digestive Health?

To answer this question, the role of enzymes in digestion is largely focused on breaking down large and complex protein, carbohydrate, and/or fat molecules into smaller particles. Once these molecules reduce in size, the bloodstream can absorb nutrients in them and deliver them throughout the body where it can be utilized efficiently.

The salivary glands and cells found in the stomach, pancreas, and small intestine are responsible for releasing these digestive enzymes into the body once it knows that it’s time to eat, smell or taste food, and/or start eating.⁶

While the body can produce multiple types of digestive enzymes, these are the substances you should pay closer attention to:⁷

1. Amylase: These help break down complex carbohydrates. This particular enzyme can be further divided into three classes in alpha-, beta-, and gamma-amylase. All of these types of amylase target specific portions of the carbohydrate molecule/s they encounter.⁸
2. Protease: Also sometimes called proteolytic enzymes,⁹ protease assists in breaking down proteins. These particular enzymes have also been linked to other health benefits, but experts have stated that more research is needed to fully confirm these claims.
3. Lipase: These work together with bile¹⁰ to help break down fats into free fatty acids and glycerol.¹¹

Where Can You Get Digestive Enzymes?

Some digestive enzymes can be obtained from the food you eat. Food choices that contain certain enzymes include mangoes, bananas, papayas, avocado, and sauerkraut (fermented cabbage).¹²

You can also ask your doctor about a supplement like Digestive Enzymes + Vitamin B Complex Enzyplex^®. This supplement is formulated with three digestive enzymes (amylase, protease, and lipase) and four B vitamins (B1, B2, B6, and B12) that can benefit your health.

Together with proper diet and exercise, Digestive Enzymes + Vitamin B Complex Enzyplex^® may help the body:

• Break down fat, protein, and carbohydrates
• Maintain healthy digestion and metabolism
• Alleviate acute signs of dyspepsia

Ideally, take one (1) tablet of Digestive Enzymes + Vitamin B Complex Enzyplex^® once a day alongside meals, or as instructed by your doctor.

Remember to take this tablet with an adequate amount of water. Swallow it right away without breaking, crushing, or chewing it. This will help prevent irritation in your mouth’s tissues that may be caused by increased contact with pancreatic enzymes.

One (1) tablet of Digestive Enzymes + Vitamin B Complex Enzyplex^® costs Php12.00 SRP. This supplement is also available in boxes of 100 for Php1,200.00 SRP. Digestive Enzymes + Vitamin B Complex Enzyplex^® is available online via Lazada and Shopee, and soon in leading drugstores nationwide.

If symptoms persist, consult your doctor.