Introduction

Are probiotics enzymes or are they different? In this article, we will discuss what probiotics are, and their usage, and describe enzymes as well, highlighting the differences between probiotics and enzymes.

“Probiotics” is one of the buzzwords today. You may have seen advertisements for probiotic supplements on television and wondered about their significance in our bodies. Additionally, the word “enzymes” might have caught your attention. 

Are probiotics enzymes?

Probiotics can be defined as live microbial cells that have a beneficial effect on health, particularly on digestive function.

While Enzymes are the proteins that catalyze the biochemical reactions occurring in the body.

Probiotics 

Widely recognized as live microorganisms such as bacteria or yeast that are commonly associated with improving gut health and enhancing body metabolism.

Probiotics are naturally found in our bodies, primarily in the digestive tract, and are commonly ingested through food and supplements.

Historical Insights on Probiotics

• Lilly and Stillwell coined the term “probiotic” in 1965 to refer to “substances secreted by one microorganism that promote the growth of another.” (1).
• In 1974, Parker proposed that probiotics encompassed “organisms and substances that contribute to the balance of intestinal microbes.”  (2).
• Later, in 1989, Fuller modified the definition to describe probiotics as “live microbial feed supplements that beneficially impact the host animal by improving its microbial balance.”
• In 2001, WHO accepted the definition of probiotics as  “Live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host” (3).

Probiotics: Mechanism of Action (4 & 5)

• Gut Microbiota Modulation

Probiotics can influence the composition and activity of the gut microbiota, which refers to the trillions of microorganisms residing in the gastrointestinal tract.

They can help restore the balance of beneficial bacteria, promote the growth of desirable strains, and inhibit the growth of harmful microbes. This modulation of the gut microbiota can impact various aspects of health.

• Enhancement of Barrier Function

Probiotics may strengthen the intestinal barrier, which is essential for preventing the passage of harmful substances from the gut into the bloodstream. 

They can promote the production of tight junction proteins that maintain the integrity of the intestinal lining, thereby reducing the risk of leaky gut syndrome and associated inflammatory responses.

• Immunomodulation

Probiotics can interact with the immune system and modulate its activity. They can enhance the production of certain immune cells, such as T cells and natural killer cells, and stimulate the release of beneficial compounds like cytokines. 

This immunomodulatory effect can help regulate immune responses, promote tolerance, and reduce inflammation.

• Production of Bioactive Compounds

Probiotics have the ability to produce bioactive compounds, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), enzymes, and antimicrobial substances. 

SCFAs, in particular, are important as an energy source for colon cells and play a role in maintaining gut health. The production of these bioactive compounds can contribute to the overall beneficial effects of probiotics.

• Metabolic Effects

Probiotics have been shown to influence various metabolic processes. They can modulate the metabolism of dietary compounds, such as carbohydrates and fats, leading to changes in nutrient absorption and energy balance. 

Additionally, probiotics may influence the production of certain hormones involved in appetite regulation, which could potentially impact weight management.

Enzymes

• The term “enzyme” originates from a Greek word that signifies “in yeast” (en, in; zyme, leaven). 
• Enzymes are substances that exhibit catalyst-like properties and are produced through cellular activity. Enzymes accelerate the biochemical reactions happening in the body.
• Enzymes possess the ability to greatly enhance the speed of a chemical reaction, reaching an astonishing rate that can be up to 1020 times faster than the reaction that occurs without any catalyst in water (6).

Mechanism of Action of Enzymes

Enzymes mainly act in five steps, which are as follows (7).

• Facilitating Reaction

Promote reactions by bringing together the reacting species in a specific geometry that supports the reaction.

• Active-Site Adjustments

Enzymes have active-site residues that can adjust to accommodate the binding of specific substrates. This involves induced-fit changes, where entire protein domains can undergo movement.

• Specialized Microenvironments

The protein structure of enzymes can create specialized microenvironments that significantly affect the reactivity of catalytic groups. This is often achieved by shielding the catalytic site from direct contact with the surrounding solvent.

• Substrate Distortion

Enzymes can distort the substrate, causing it to adopt a high-energy conformation. This conformation enhances the reactivity of the substrate.

• Stabilizing Interactions

Enzymes provide additional stabilizing interactions for the transition state or unstable intermediates in the reaction mechanism.

Probiotics vs Enzymes

• Probiotics can be derived from various sources, including fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi. They can also be obtained from supplements specifically formulated to contain specific strains of bacteria or yeast.
• While Enzymes can be derived from plant, animal, or microbial sources. For instance, plant-based enzymes can be sourced from pineapple (bromelain) or papaya (papain), while animal-based enzymes like pancreatin can come from the pancreas of pigs or cows. 
• Microbial enzymes, such as fungal or bacterial enzymes produced through fermentation, are also common (8).

	Probiotics	Enzymes
Definition	Living microorganisms that provide health benefits when consumed	Biological catalysts that facilitate chemical reactions in the body
Function	Restore and maintain a healthy balance of gut bacteria	Aid in the digestion and breakdown of food molecules and various other biochemical reactions.
Source	Can be derived from bacteria, yeast, or other microorganisms	Produced by living cells or can be obtained from external sources
Examples	Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Saccharomyces boulardii	Amylase, lipase, protease, lactase, etc.

Are probiotics good for health?

• Probiotics have been used by humans for a long time and are traditionally consumed in various regions worldwide. They are often referred to as “friendly bacteria” or “good bacteria.”
• The significance of probiotics has grown due to their numerous benefits, such as alleviating lactose intolerance, reducing high cholesterol levels, and managing cardiovascular issues like atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis.
• Some examples of food sources that contain probiotics include yogurt, fermented and unfermented milk, miso, tempeh, certain juices, and soy beverages. 
• The most commonly used types of microorganisms as probiotics are lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and bifidobacteria. However, certain yeasts and bacilli may also serve as probiotics.
• Probiotics are gaining more recognition due to the growing focus on disease prevention and overall well-being.
• It is important for healthcare professionals and pharmaceutical companies to offer unbiased support and advice to individuals about the proper use of probiotics for preventive and therapeutic purposes (9).

Are probiotics good for babies?

• Shortly after birth, newborns become hosts to a diverse population of billions of bacteria, viruses, and fungi, primarily residing in their gut. This microbial community has the ability to impact various aspects of their health. 
• As infants breastfeed, they acquire additional microbes from their mother’s skin, and they also consume microbes from their gut that have entered their breast milk.
• Probiotics have the potential to offer benefits to babies in specific circumstances. For instance, certain strains of beneficial bacteria like Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus have shown promise in reducing the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a serious intestinal condition primarily affecting premature infants.  
• Additionally, probiotics might help prevent or alleviate the severity of antibiotic-associated diarrhea in babies by restoring a healthy balance of gut bacteria disrupted by antibiotics. 
• Moreover, probiotics have the potential to support immune health in infants by fostering the development of a thriving gut microbiome (10).

Do digestive enzymes kill probiotics?

• Digestive enzymes do not have a direct effect on killing probiotics. The action of digestive enzymes is focused on breaking down food components rather than intentionally affecting the probiotic microorganisms.
• For optimal survival and effectiveness of probiotics, it is advised to take them separately from digestive enzymes. 
• By separating the timing of probiotic and digestive enzyme intake, the potential interaction between the two can be minimized. 
• This allows probiotics to have a better chance of reaching the gut and exerting their beneficial effects without being affected by the digestive enzymes (11).

Q&A

1. How many probiotics should a person take?

Probiotics are measured in colony-forming units (CFUs), which tells us how many live microorganisms are in them. There isn’t a specific dosage that works for everyone, but most probiotic supplements have between 1 and 30 billion CFUs per serving.

If you’re new to probiotics, it’s best to start with a small amount and slowly increase it. If you have a specific health condition or want to use probiotics for a particular reason, it’s a good idea to talk to a healthcare professional for advice.

2. When to take probiotics and enzymes?

Probiotics are most effective when consumed on an empty stomach. A common practice is to take them either in the morning before breakfast or in the evening before bedtime.

On the other hand, digestive enzymes work optimally when ingested alongside meals.

3. What are probiotics and digestive enzymes?

Probiotics are helpful for digestion and bringing back the natural balance of good bacteria in our bodies. Digestive enzymes, like lipase and lactase, are natural substances that our bodies need to break down and digest food properly.

4. Where are enzymes produced in bacteria?

Bacteria have specialized cellular machinery, including ribosomes and other organelles, that allows them to synthesize enzymes and other proteins inside them.

Summary

• Probiotics are widely recognized as live microorganisms. Such as bacteria or yeast that are commonly associated with improving gut health and enhancing body metabolism.
• They are naturally found in our bodies, primarily in the digestive tract, and are commonly ingested through food and supplements. 
• Enzymes are substances that possess catalyst-like properties and are produced through cellular activity.
• Probiotics can be derived from various sources, including fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi.
• They can also be obtained from supplements specifically formulated to contain specific strains of bacteria or yeast.
• While Enzymes can be derived from plant, animal, or microbial sources. For instance, plant-based enzymes can be sourced from pineapple (bromelain) or papaya (papain), while animal-based enzymes like pancreatin can come from the pancreas of pigs or cows. 
• The significance of probiotics has grown due to their numerous benefits. Such as alleviating lactose intolerance, reducing high cholesterol levels, and managing cardiovascular issues like atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis.
• Probiotics are helpful for digestion and bringing back the natural balance of good bacteria in our bodies.
• Digestive enzymes, like lipase and lactase, are natural substances that our bodies need to break down and digest food properly.

Written By: Deva Singh