Probiotics with enzymes
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The Role of Probiotics with Enzymes in Health and Nutrition
Introduction to Probiotics and Enzymes
Probiotics are live beneficial bacteria that, when consumed, confer health benefits to the host by improving or restoring the gut flora. Enzymes, on the other hand, are biological catalysts that facilitate various biochemical reactions in the body, including digestion. The combination of probiotics and enzymes has been shown to have synergistic effects, enhancing both digestive health and overall well-being.
Probiotics and Liver Function Enzymes
Research indicates that probiotics and synbiotics (a combination of probiotics and prebiotics) can significantly improve liver function by reducing serum concentrations of liver enzymes such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) . These findings suggest that probiotics and synbiotics could be beneficial supplements for individuals with liver disease, particularly when administered for periods of eight weeks or longer.
Enzyme Production by Probiotics
Probiotics are not only beneficial for their microbial balance but also for their ability to produce various enzymes. For instance, Lactobacillus amylovorus has been shown to produce enzymes like α-galactosidase, β-galactosidase, α-glucosidase, and β-glucosidase, which aid in digestion and have antimicrobial properties . Similarly, other strains of probiotics have been found to produce enzymes such as amylase, protease, and cellulase, which enhance digestive health and nutrient absorption .
Probiotics and Digestive Enzyme Activity
The inclusion of probiotics in the diet has been shown to enhance the activity of digestive enzymes. For example, a study on Siberian sturgeon demonstrated that a mixture of multi-enzymes and probiotics significantly improved feed utilization, nutrient digestibility, and overall health status . Another study on olive flounder found that probiotic supplementation increased the activity of digestive enzymes like trypsin and lipase, thereby improving digestive efficiency .
Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Effects
Probiotics enriched with minerals like selenium and zinc have been shown to improve serum enzyme activity, antioxidant capability, and reduce inflammatory markers in Wistar rats under heat stress . These enriched probiotics enhance the body's antioxidant defenses by increasing the activity of enzymes like glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase, while also reducing oxidative stress markers such as malondialdehyde.
Probiotics in Aquaculture
In aquaculture, probiotics have been used to improve the health and growth performance of fish. For instance, the use of quorum quenching probiotics in Asian seabass has been shown to enhance digestive enzyme activity, improve gut microbial communities, and increase resistance against pathogens like Vibrio harveyi . This not only promotes better growth but also enhances the overall health and immunity of the fish.
Probiotics and Antidiabetic Effects
Certain strains of probiotics have demonstrated potential antidiabetic effects by inhibiting carbohydrate-hydrolyzing enzymes such as α-glucosidase and α-amylase. Studies have shown that probiotics isolated from fermented foods can significantly inhibit these enzymes, thereby helping to regulate blood glucose levels and manage diabetes 59.
Conclusion
The combination of probiotics and enzymes offers a promising approach to enhancing digestive health, improving liver function, boosting antioxidant defenses, and managing metabolic disorders like diabetes. The synergistic effects of these two components can lead to better nutrient absorption, improved gut health, and overall well-being. As research continues to uncover the benefits of probiotics with enzymes, their application in both human and animal health is likely to expand, offering new avenues for nutritional and therapeutic interventions.
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