Monday, August 9, 2010

Food and Fitness: Eenzyme

Enzymes are proteins which act as biological catalysts accelerating specific chemical reactions, such as the digestion of food. Without enzymes, these reactions often require very high temperatures and pressures. Although enzymes take part in the reactions, they are not chemically altered by them. Consequently they are not used up and are required in relatively small concentrations. The body varies the concentration of a particular enzyme to regulate a specific activity; generally, the higher the enzyme concentration, the greater the rate of reaction.


Enzymes sometimes require additional, non-protein components to function properly; these are called cofactors. Many minerals and vitamins function as cofactors or coenzymes; deficiencies result in inefficient enzyme activity and ill health.

Enzymes work most effectively within narrow ranges of temperature and pH. Deviations cause the enzyme to change shape (denaturation) and to become less effective; this happens if the body overheats as a result of physical exertion or when lactic acid produced by anaerobic respiration lowers the pH of body fluids.

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