Digestive Enzymes Found in Wheat Grass

Wheat grass juice is known as a superfood: a single food that contains a powerhouse of vitamins and nutrients your body needs in a single serving. It is widely known for its detoxifying and healing properties. There are many types of live enzymes contained in a single shot of wheat grass juice. Live enzymes play a vital role in digesting harmful bacteria and chemicals that are present in the body via the environment, toxic food and contaminated water.

Amylase

• Carbohydrates are broken down in the body via the enzyme amylase. Carbohydrates are large molecules that must be cut into smaller pieces to be utilized by the body. Amylase enzymes are specialized to cut the branches of starch molecules at a particular point, turning complex carbohydrates into simple sugars such as glucose or fructose that the body can use as food.

Protease

• Protease is the main digestive enzyme used to break down protein. Proteins contain vital amino acids that are necessary for cellular function and health. Protease enzymes work to release the amino acids found in proteins by breaking the protein molecule's peptide bonds. Because parasites, fungal worms and bacteria are also proteins, protease breaks them down as well, protecting the body from these harmful organisms. Viruses are covered by a thin protein membrane and which can also be digested by protease. Protease deficiency can lead to a lowered immune system, calcium-deficient diseases such as arthritis and osteoporosis, or anxiety and insomnia.

Superoxide Dismutase (SOD)

• Superoxide Dismutase, or SOD, is type of enzyme called a metalloenzyme. At its center is a metal molecule--usually copper or zinc--but sometimes manganese or iron. SOD is an enzyme whose primary function is to break down free radicals called superoxides into oxygen and hydrogen peroxide. Superoxides can cause severe cellular damage, so incorporating the enzyme superoxide dismutase into your diet can help to neutralize damaging effects of superoxides to the body. SOD's ability to break down superoxides has been shown to play an important role in suppressing cancerous tumors and in preventing the neuromuscular disease known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease.