Introduction:
An enzyme is any of various types of proteins which act as catalysts to speed up the body's biochemical processes. Enzymes build new proteins, cells, tissues, and organs, and can also break down these same tissues. All living organisms contain enzymes - without them, life could not exist.

Digestive enzymes are a group of specific enzymes in the gastrointestinal tract which function to break down the components of food. While digestive enzymes are also produced in the mouth (in saliva) and the stomach, the area of greatest digestive enzyme activity is in the small intestine.

A key organ in digestive enzyme production is the pancreas. Up to 1.5 quarts of pancreatic juice, containing digestive enzymes to break down carbohydrates, fat and protein, is secreted by the pancreas into the small intestine every day. The major pancreatic enzymes are known as lipases, amylases, and proteases (including trypsin, chymotrypsin and carboxypeptidase).

Supplemental enzymes, particularly pancreatic digestive enzymes, have a long history of traditional use.5 In addition to digestive support, pancreatic enzymes have been recommended for immune system support, to support urinary tract health, lung health, and for the relief of occasional pain and inflammation associated with exercise.

How Does It Work?:
Enzymes have specificity, meaning they act only on their specific substrates. For example, the digestive enzyme amylase acts on carbohydrates, lipase on fats, and protease on protein.^† Therefore, to obtain greater benefits, a digestive enzyme supplement should include a range of enzyme types. Mega-Zyme systemic enzymes contains eight key enzymes, plus 10X pancreatic enzymes for maximum digestive support. 10X strength refers to a high potency (10X) pancreatic enzyme complex which is 10 times more potent than the minimum activity specified by the United States Pharmacopiea (USP).

The ingredients in Mega-zyme systemic enzymes are buffered with bicarbonate. Bicarbonates help to neutralize the acid environment of the stomach and allow the digestive enzymes to work in the small intestine. Normal pH of the stomach is 2 (acidic) while pancreatic juice is about 8 (basic). Bicarbonates assist in changing the acidic environment to an alkaline environment.^† The bicarbonates in Mega-Zyme systemic enzymes are designed to work with the other ingredients to support a healthy digestive system.

Mega-Zyme systemic enzymes was also used in several clinical trials demonstrating its benefits for relieving muscle pain and inflammation associated with exercise.^†7-9 In comparison with the placebo group, athletes taking Mega-Zyme systemic enzymes before and after intense exercise had less muscle pain and faster recoveries.

The following chart summarizes the activity of each of the enzymes in Mega-Zyme systemic enzymes.
 

Enzyme	Substrate	Action	Source
Protease	Protein	Cleaves polypeptide chains†10	Porcine
Amylase	Carbohydrates	Breaks down starch to maltose and dextrin†11	Porcine and Aspergillus oryzae
Lipase	Lipids (fats)	Degrades fats to glycerol and fatty acids†12	Porcine and Rhizopus Oryzae
Trypsin	Protein	Hydrolyzes peptides, amides, esters, etc at the bonds of the carboxyl groups of L-arginine or L-lysine†13	Porcine
Papain	Protein	Catalyzes the hydrolysis of proteins and peptides with preferential cleavage at bonds containing arginine, lysine, and glycine residues†14	Papaya
Bromelain	Protein	Hydrolyzes proteins to oligopeptides and amino acids†15	Pineapple
Lysozyme	Starch (initiates breakdown)	Hydrolyses the bond between N acetyl muramic acid and N acetyl glucosamine†16	Egg
Chymotrypsin	Protein	Cleaves carboxyl links of hydrophobic amino acids†17	Bovine

References:
1. Pancreas. In: Thomas CL, d. Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary. 17th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: F.A. Davis; 1993:1414.

2. Guton AC, Hall JE. Secreotry Functions of the alimentary Tract. In: Textbook of Medical Physiology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders Company; 1996: 824-825.

3. Gastrointestinal Function. In: Porth CM. Pathophysiology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Penn: Lippincott-Raven Publishers; 1988:714-715.

4. Enzymes. In: Thomas CL, ed. Taber's Cylcopedic Medical Dictionary. 17th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: F.A. Davis; 1993:645-655.

5. Cichoke AJ. Pancreatic enzymes. In: Textbook of Natural Medicine. Pizzorno JE, Murray MT, eds. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone; 1993:857.

6. Whitney EN, Rolfes SR. Digestion, Absorption, and Transport. In: Understanding Nutrition. 6th ed. St. Paul, MN: West Publishing Company; 1993:73-74.

7. Miller PC, et al. The effects of protease supplementation on skeletal muscle function and DOMS following downhill running. J Sports Sci. 2004 Apr;22(4):365-72.

8. Miller PC, Bailey SP, McInnis KR, Hall EE. Comparison of protease and NSAID supplementation on muscle soreness and pain threshold following downhill running. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2003:35(5Supplement):S197.

9. Miller PC, Bailey SP, Cormier S, Khlebopros A, Hall EE. Comparison of protease and NSAID supplementation on muscle soreness and contractile performance following eccentric contractions. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2002;34(5):S232.

10. Protease. Department of Plant Pathology Online Glossary. Cornell University. Available at: http://ppathw3.cals.cornell.edu/glossary/Defs_P.htm. Accessed June 28, 2006.

11. Amylase. The Merck Index: An Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs, and Biologicals. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck & Co., Inc.1996:102.

12. Lipase. The Merck Index: An Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs, and Biologicals. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck & Co., Inc.1996:941.

13. Trypsin. Stedman's Medical Dictionary, 25th ed. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins; 1990:1644.

14. Papain. Medical Dictionary. Available at www.mercksource.com. Accessed June 28, 2006.

15. Bromelain. In: Fleming T, ed. PDR® for Nutritional Supplements. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company; 2001:70-73.

16. Lysozyme. Stedman's Medical Dictionary, 25th ed. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins; 1990:908.

17. Chymotrypsin. Stedman's Medical Dictionary, 25th ed. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins; 1990:306.