Perhaps you don’t think that enzymes should be a part of your shopping list of supplements, but products containing them can be a good move that will help you gain additional muscle mass.
The latest research shows that enzymes play an important role in the recovery after an intense workout, and therefore enzymes are considered as primary accessories for serious bodybuilders.
What do enzymes do
Enzymes are proteins that act as catalysts in the body, enabling easier and faster development of metabolic processes. They accelerate or catalyze chemical reactions.
The proteins and carbohydrates that we consume, before they can be used as building blocks or energy, they need to be broken down and digested by our digestive system. This is where enzymes come in.
Types of enzymes
There are three main types of enzymes that decompose food:
- Amylase – breaks down carbohydrates,
- Lipase – breaks down fats and
- Protease – breaks down proteins.
Although these three are naturally produced and found in the body, we can also consume them with different foods or supplements.
Athletes that are in a quest for more muscle mass are using supplements that contain enzymes. This is how they use as many calories as they possibly can: The more of these substances they have, the more (and faster) food will be digested, the more nutrients will reach the muscles.
Knowing the fact that bodybuilders are most concerned about dietary protein than other athletes, it is logical that the enzyme protease occupies the first place as the most needed enzyme.
Latest research has confirmed the beneficial role of the enzyme protease. So, a special blend of enzymes added to whey protein powders, dramatically increases the amount of amino acids in the blood.
This fact illustrates that, if such an enzyme is included in a protein supplement, the absorption and utilization of whey protein is increased, thus allowing the entry of more amino acids in the blood, from where they are delivered to the muscles.
Tips when buying protein
Choose a product that contains all or some of these enzymes: tripsin, kimotripsin, pepsin, pancreatin, bromelain and papain. Bromelain can also be found in fresh pineapple fruits, papain can be found in fresh papaya.
Some supplements include amylase or lipase, which can only be a bonus, knowing that they break down carbohydrates and fats. Lately, manufacturers of supplements sell protein powders which contain the enzyme protease by default.
