Enzymes and energy

Question 1

What is an enzyme and what is it made of?

Answer 1

Enzymes are catalysts made from proteins that speed up biological reactions and lower the activation point

Question 2

Give an example of an enzyme reaction, how does pepsin work?

Answer 2

Pepsin is the enzyme which breaks down a protein into shorter chain proteins which can be more easily absorbed into the blood stream.

Question 3

What pH do enzymes like?

Answer 3

Neutral, except pepsin which is the active form of pepsinogen after being activated by HCl in pH2 in the stomach

Question 4

Name 2 cofactors for enzymes

Answer 4

Zinc for alcohol dehydrogenase

Selenium for Glutathione Peroxidase

Question 5

Name 7 digestive enzymes

Answer 5

Salivary amylase in mouth breaking down carbs
Gastric lipase in stomach breaking down fats
Pepsin in stomach breaking down proteins
Pancreatic amylase, pancreatic lipase and pancreatic proteeases (trypsin and chylotrypsin)
Brush border enzymes (sucrase, maltase and lactase)

Question 6

Name 6 foods containing enzymes and their enzymes

Answer 6

Pineapple contains bromelain and papaya (papainin) and kiwi which are proteases which break down proteins - good to eat after protein rich meals. Sprouts contain 100x enzymes than veg. Avocado contains lipase and garlic has aliinase which is anti-microbial, antioxidant and cardio-protective

Question 7

What drugs can decrease the rate of enzyme action?

Answer 7

Antibiotics can inactivate enzymes

Statins inhibit HMG-Co2 rductase which is used to make cholesterol and CoQ10

Question 8

What is enzyme therapy and which enzymes are commonly used?

Answer 8

Large doses of enzymes that reach the blood stream.
Bromelain is anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-clogging (has positive effects on athroschlerotic plaques)
Serrapeptase reduces inflammation and aids fluid drainage, improves CV, reduces swelling and alleviates pain

Question 9

What is the full name for ATP

Answer 9

Adenosine Triphosphate

Question 10

Which mineral is required to produce ATP?

Answer 10

Magnesium - low energy could be low magnesium

Question 11

What are the functions of ATP?

Answer 11

Capture energy from oxidation
fuel movement
drive body reactions
cell division

Question 12

Which group of Vitamins are the energy carriers?

Answer 12

B Vitamins:
NAD from B3 (niacin)
FAD from B2 (riboflavin)

Question 13

How are carbs used for energy?

Answer 13

They are broken down by digestion into glucose and oxidised into ATP

Question 14

Describe the 4 step process of turning carbs into energy with the co-factors

Answer 14

1. Glycolysis - requires MG and B3
2. Forms Acetyl CoA - requires Vit B1, Lipoic acid and B5
3. Krebs Cycle - Mg, Mn, Iron, B1,B2,B3
   Electron transport - 4 enzymes;
   Complex 1 - iron and sulphur
   Complex 2 - CoQ10
   Complex 3 - Iron
   Complex 4 - Copper

Question 15

How can you support the mitochrondria?

Answer 15

Reduce toxins
Eat plenty of cofactors
incrase production of glutathione and peroxidase (sulphur and selenium) and CoQ10
support liver detox

Question 16

Which herbs can help support mitochondria?

Answer 16

Rosemary, ginseng, astragulas, turmeric, dandelion and burdock

Question 17

Describe the process of getting energy from fat

Answer 17

Lipase split triglycerides from adipose tissue into fatty acids and glycerol. L-Carnitine transports fatty acids to the liver and beta oxidation converts to Acetyl Co2 and enters the Krebs cycle. Needs Mg, B1, B2, B3, B5 and sulphur

Question 18

Where does the brain get energy from when there is insufficient glucose?

Answer 18

Ketone bodies as these can cross the blood brain barrier. These can be formed from fat or protein.

Question 19

What is the name of the production of ketones?

Answer 19

Ketogenesis

Question 20

What is ketosis?

Answer 20

Body state caused by high fat / low carb diet. Good for epilepsy control, enhance mitochrodrial function and neurological diseases Parkinsons and Alzheimers

Question 21

Which diet encourages ketosis?

Answer 21

Fasting - intermittent, veg juice and water

Question 22

How can we get energy from protein?

Answer 22

Getting energy from chia seeds, quinoa involves the carbon element being broken down to generate ATP or glucogenesis. Not very efficient form of energy and requires Biotin from nuts. seeds, sweet potato, mushroooms, banana

Question 23

What percentage of energy should we get from carbs, fats and energy?

Answer 23

Carbs 47%
Fat 38%
Protein 15%