Pepsin is one of the most important digestive enzymes, which starts to break down proteins in your stomach. Read on to learn about the science behind its function and the benefits of supplementing!<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Pepsin is an enzyme – a type of protein that helps carry out a chemical reaction. More specifically, pepsin is a protease (also sometimes called a peptidase): an enzyme that helps break proteins down into smaller pieces [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Pepsin is one of the three major protein-digesting enzymes<\/strong> in the digestive system – the other two are chymotrypsin and trypsin<\/a>. Pepsin is the first to start digesting proteins from the food you eat. The other two take over after pepsin has done the initial work [R+<\/a>].<\/p>\n That\u2019s why pepsin is often described as one of the most important digestive enzymes<\/a>.<\/p>\n Broadly speaking, pepsin breaks down proteins<\/strong> [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Proteins are made up of lengthy chains of amino acid building blocks. Pepsin is able to sever the connections between amino acids, thus breaking long protein chains into shorter chains called peptides [R<\/a>, R+<\/a>].<\/p>\n Specifically, pepsin is an aspartic peptidase, which means that it has the amino acid aspartate in its active site. Aspartate enables pepsin to work and cut up proteins [R+<\/a>, R+<\/a>, R+<\/a>].<\/p>\n Aspartic peptidases like pepsin are thought to play a role in diverse diseases, from stomach ulcers to breast cancer to Alzheimer\u2019s disease [R+<\/a>].<\/p>\n Pepsin is also a kind of endopeptidase, which means it can cut up a protein chain right in the middle – as opposed to exo<\/em>peptidase that cut proteins up at the ends [R+<\/a>, R+<\/a>].<\/p>\n After pepsin has done its job, the peptides it released passes to the intestine. Here other peptidases and proteases further break them down into amino acids you can absorb. Your body then uses these amino acids to build new proteins or burns them for energy [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Pepsin is produced by stomach cells<\/strong>. It is most commonly found in the acidic juices of the stomach in humans and many other animals. As such, it works best in acidic conditions [R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R+<\/a>].<\/p>\n In acid reflux, stomach contents make their way up the esophagus or food pipe. In such cases, pepsin can also be found in the esophagus, saliva, and even in the lungs and airways. This can cause damage and inflammation [R+<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\nSnapshot<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Proponents<\/strong><\/h4>\n
\n
Skeptics<\/strong><\/h4>\n
\n
What Does it Break Down?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Where Is it Produced and Found?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n