Enzymes of the pancreas

With functions and the role of the pancreas, we get acquainted even at school when studying anatomy. With the help of this body, enzymes of the digestive system are developed, involved in the cleavage of the main nutrients: fats, proteins and carbohydrates.

The pancreas is the second largest in the digestive system (the first is the liver). This body performs two main functions in the body: intrasecretory and exocrine.

Intrasecretory function is responsible for the production of hormones that participate in carbohydrate metabolism. One of the most famous hormones is insulin.

During the work of the exocrine function, enzymes of the pancreas are isolated, and their further synthesis occurs. It is these components in the inactive form that come in the form of pancreatic juice into the duodenum and are activated there by the action of bile and other enzymes, enterocytes produced by the cells of the intestinal mucosa. Pancreatic enzymes are found in the juice of this gland, which also contains water, mucus, minerals and bicarbonates, which neutralize the acidic environment of the stomach.

In the duodenum, pancreatic juice containing food enzymes in an inactive form gets through the duct that is inside this gland. To facilitate activation of the enzymes of the digestive system, both ducts of the glands (pancreas and liver) are opened in one place.

There is a pancreas behind the stomach, has an elongated shape, a delicate structure and consists of three parts: tail, body and head. It is because of the specific nature of its location that it is very difficult to feel the gland through the anterior abdominal wall (abdomen). And the main symptom in diseases of this organ is shingling pain, which gives to the lower back or upper abdomen. This can signal a pathology of the organ, or too early activation of pancreatic enzymes, or increased pressure in its duct.

Enzymes of the pancreas are the main links in the processing of proteins, fats and carbohydrates in the body. These components of the digestive system include lipase, protease, amylase, maltase and lactase. So, lipase promotes the splitting of fats, amylase, maltase and lactase - carbohydrates, protease - proteins. As you can see, it is in the processing of essential nutrients by the corresponding enzymes that the basic function of the pancreas lies.

Enzymes of the pancreas can be different in quantity depending on the volume and nature of nutrition. If a person chooses for himself a priority carbohydrate food, the iron produces more amylase and fewer other enzymes. However, you still can not abuse such a useful function of the gland and you should try to observe a certain balance in nutrition to avoid acute and chronic diseases of this organ.

Thus, you need to strictly follow the diet (try to eat at the same time), the food should be balanced in terms of fat, carbohydrates and proteins. And, of course, in any case, do not overeat! Synthesis of enzymes is a complex process and capable of upsetting at the slightest overload of the pancreas.

Very serious changes in the human body, including in the digestive system, can occur with a sudden loss or rapid weight gain. So, when losing weight, you need to exclude foods that contain purine substances from food, in connection with the ability to destroy lipase with acidic gastric juice. Namely, this leads to poor digestion of fat.

When comparing the action of enzymes on digestion, specialists have established a high activity of all their groups during work, both in alkaline and acidic medium. It is for this reason that each person, regardless of the state of health, needs to consume enough raw vegetables and fruits.