Digestion is the breakdown of large and insoluble food molecules(carbohydrates, proteins and fats) into small and soluble substances to be absorbed into the blood.
There are three main types of digestive enzymes:
Proteases
Break down protein into small peptides and amino acids
Lipases
Break down fat into three fatty acids plus a glycerol molecule.
Amylases and Maltase
Break down carbs into simple sugars.
carbohydrates are separated in 3 main categories:
polysaccharide(complex), disaccharide(half-complex) and monosaccharide(simple).
Polysaccharide
is the most abundant carbohydrate found in food. They are long chain polymeric carbohydrates composed of monosaccharide units bound together by glycosidic linkages. This carbohydrate can react with water using amylase enzymes as catalyst, which produces constituent sugars.
disaccharide
is the sugar formed when two monosaccharides are joined by glycosidic linkage. The disaccharides are sucrose (glucose + fructose), lactose (glucose + galactose) and maltose (glucose + glucose). Like monosaccharides, disaccharides are simple sugars soluble in water.
Monosaccharide
is the simplest form of sugar and the most basic unit of carbohydrates. monosaccharide are glucose(sometimes called dextrose), fructose and galactose.
How carbohydrates are digested inside our body?
starch(polysaccharides) is first transformed into maltose(disaccharide) by the pancreatic or salivary enzymes called amylases. maltase secreted by the intestine then converts maltose into glucose. The glucose so produced is either utilized by the body or stored in the liver as glycogen (animal starch).
Maltase catalyses the breakdown of maltose(disaccharide) into simple sugar glucose(monosaccharide) in the small intestine. Maltase is found in plants, bacteria, and yeast.
The enzyme maltase aids in relieving the burden of digestion on the pancreas and the small intestine. Without this important enzyme, the small intestine has a much harder time breaking down sugars and starches. In this way, maltase helps the entire digestive system function smoothly. Similarly, having enough maltase present in the gut may lower irritation and support multiple health benefits beyond digestion.
Studies on patients with chronic diarrhoea show reduced amounts of digestive enzymes like maltase (as well as lactase and sucrase). These studies suggest that a lack of maltase, as well as other important enzymes may be a important factor behind the classic roots of chronic diarrhoea. maltase enzyme supplementation may reduce irritation and excess gut mucosal secretions.
except from being an enzyme, maltase also is a by-product when it comes to consuming sugar throughout several cooking processes, particularly during burning at high temperatures when the sugar changes colours from white to brown.
Maltase can be beneficial for kids who suffer from autism to support and prevent various digestive complaints. Several research studies have confirmed that numerous kids with autism showed a correlation in decreased intestinal disaccharide commotion. This is connected to the existence of digestive enzymes such as maltase within the gut.
Amylase And Fitness Connection
Even If You Are On A Ketogenic Diet And Are Consuming Low Amount Of Carbs, Your Body Still Needs To Have A Good Balance Of Maltase. like amylase, It Is Essential For Thyroid Function(L-Thyroxine) And Metabolism Overall And It Also Has An Effect On Cortisol Levels As Well(And Low L-Thyroxine And Low Cortisol Can Also Cause Low Maltase Levels).
Although The Real Reason Behind This Fact Is Still Under Debate By Scientists, Low Maltase Levels Can Impact PH Levels As Well Which Could Wreck Havoc On A Lot Of Other Body Processes By Itself.