Pepsin enzyme is a type of digestive enzyme. Enzymes in the stomach have a very important role in the process of digestion and absorption of protein in food. Lack or excess of the pepsin enzyme can cause digestive disorders.
As soon as food enters the mouth, the stomach will produce stomach fluid. This liquid consists of water, mucus, electrolytes, digestive enzymes, and hydrochloric acid or also called gastric acid. This hydrochloric acid functions to change pepsinogen, a substance made by cells in the lining of the stomach wall, into the enzyme pepsin.
Pepsin Enzyme Function
The main function of the pepsin enzyme is to break down the structure of proteins present in food into amino acids. The body performs this process to facilitate the absorption of nutrients in the intestine. This protein breakdown process only occurs if the acid level or pH in the stomach is in the range of 1.5 to 2. The pepsin enzyme will not work if the stomach's pH is above 4.
As a result of the excess or deficiency of the Pepsin enzyme
Pepsin enzyme plays an important role in the digestion process. Therefore, if the levels are less or too much, it will cause the digestive system to work is not optimal.
Problems with the digestive system that can arise due to excess or deficiency of the enzyme pepsin are:
Gastric ulcer
When the amount of gastric acid and pepsin enzymes in the stomach is excessive, the mechanism of protection of the stomach and intestinal wall will be problematic. As a result, the mucosa or the stomach and small intestine walls will erode and be unable to defend themselves from stomach acid.
This is what causes ulcer disease. Gastric ulcer does not always cause symptoms. If there is, usually in the form of pain in the pit of the stomach, stomach feels sore and hot, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, weight loss, until bleeding in the stomach.
To treat peptic ulcers, the main focus is to reduce the acid in the stomach. This is done by taking drugs that inhibit stomach acid, protective drugs lining the stomach and small intestine, stop smoking, avoid alcohol consumption, and stay away from foods that can increase stomach acid.
Impaired protein absorption
Pepsin enzyme functions to convert proteins into amino acids. The deficiency of the pepsin enzyme will certainly disrupt the process and ultimately inhibit the absorption of nutrients from foods that contain protein. Over time this can cause malnutrition.
Symptoms of malnutrition can include chronic diarrhea, weight loss that continues to fall, hair loss, swelling in the body, often infected, easily bleed, and wounds that are difficult to heal.
In addition to the two diseases above, disruption of the enzyme pepsin or gastric fluid is also said to increase the risk of being attacked by other diseases, such as gastritis or inflammation of the stomach, thyroid disorders, eczema, anemia, and osteoporosis.
To overcome the deficiency of the pepsin enzyme, several ways that can be done are:
- Take supplements or drugs that can increase the amount of the pepsin enzyme.
- On a special diet that can increase the production of the enzyme pepsin.
- Take supplements that can help smooth the metabolism.
- Live a healthy lifestyle, including by not smoking or drinking alcohol, exercising regularly, and reducing stress.
Whatever the cause, health problems due to a problem with the pepsin enzyme are conditions that need to be examined by a doctor. The doctor will determine the diagnosis and provide treatment according to the cause of the disorder.
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