What Is Xylanase?
Xylanase is an enzyme that naturally occurs in fungi and bacteria that produces from some crustaceans, insects, and seeds. Xylanase is also in bee pollen and some yeasts. Additionally, xylanases come from filamentous fungi, marine algae, and protozoans.
Interestingly, the human body, by itself, does not produce xylanase. Rather, it produces from some of the bacteria in our intestines.
Unfortunately, this naturally-present bacteria in the human body secrets extraordinarily little of what they produce into the intestine. Therefore, a xylanase supplement is often useful for people who want to efficiently digest high-fibrous foods.
To explain a little further, xylan is a polysaccharide naturally found in the cell walls of plants. Xylanase breaks down the xylan fibers and helps digest nutrients from the high fiber in some vegetables. In so doing, it assists in the prevention of indigestion and digestive discomfort while increasing the level of nutrients to the body from the food you eat.
What Are Enzymes?
Aside from digestion, every biochemical process in the human body needs enzymes. In fact, there are three categories of enzymes that each have different tasks to perform. These categories are digestive enzymes, food enzymes, and metabolic enzymes.
The human digestive system includes the mouth, esophagus, stomach, and intestines. With digestion being paramount to our health, enzymes have one of the most important jobs in our digestive process.
The enzyme digestion process starts in the mouth where enzymes in the saliva start breaking down the food. Then, in turn, the stomach, and the large and small intestines also hold enzymes that further break down the food. All this enzyme action serves to break down the food so that the body gets as many nutrients as possible.
Unfortunately, as you age, your body gradually produces fewer enzymes. Therefore, supplementation is something to seriously explore if you fall into this category. But, low enzyme levels happen for other reasons too. Those reasons might include a medication you’re taking or an existing medical condition. So, be sure to check with your medical professional to see if adding an enzyme to your supplemental regimen is right for you.
You can also get enzymes through eating the right foods. Interestingly, most raw vegetables and fruits already contain the enzyme necessary to digest them! So, if you think you suffer from low enzyme levels, turn to fresh vegetables and fruit. Fresh is always better simply because cooking lowers the enzymes in the food. A good example is a baked potato that loses the enzymes necessary to naturally digest it.
On the other hand, a fresh vegetable salad still has all the enzymes necessary to naturally digest it. The only thing better is eating fresh vegetables while taking an enzyme supplement.
Xylanase Digestive Enzyme
If our digestive system works efficiently, our bodies get the right nutrients, and we feel great. However, to get the right nutrients, enzyme supplements are often necessary. Xylanase comes to the rescue by breaking down and separating sucrose into glucose and fructose. This is important because our bodies can’t use sucrose without this action of separation. When separation does occur, however, it aids wonderfully in the digestion of carbohydrates and starch.
Because of its efficiency in the digestive process, it also plays a role in anti-aging and disease prevention. It’s all a part of balancing your body with the right nutrients and there’s no better way to derive a higher level of nutrients from the food you eat than with the right level of enzymes in your system.
However, the downside is when we are lacking in the proper level and balance of enzymes in our systems. One of the worst side effects of low enzymes is the accumulation of undigested sugars and starches which naturally lead to unpleasant results.
A few of those unpleasant side effects include not only malnutrition but also Forbes disease, McArdle disease, Pompe disease, and Tarui disease.
Xylanase Benefits and Uses
- digestion of food from plants by working to increase the absorption of nutrients into the digestive system.
- good bacteria in the intestinal tract.
- biofilms of certain microorganisms that cause infections and food poisoning.
It is worth noting that xylanase is so effective that it is wide use in the animal feed industry to aid livestock in the digestion of their food. It is also in use in the production of paper, baking processes, and producing liquor.
Again, the importance of breaking down the fibrous parts of plants is incredibly important to your health. In fact, when your digestive system is working at an optimal level, it helps with the health of your entire body. The overall balance of all systems in your body is the key to good health and many people use enzyme supplements for this purpose.
Understanding Xylanase Units of Measurement
Xylanase measures according to the activity level of the enzyme. The term used for this measurement is Xylanase Units (XU) and it measures by XU per gram. To find the level of activity of the enzymes, a standard FCC test is employed.
Measurements of Activity
900XU per gram Xylanase Powder
20,000XU per gram Xylanase 20,000 Powder
34,000XU per gram Xylanase Liquid
41,000XU per gram Xylanase Concentrate
Xylanase Supplement & Dosage
Xylanase is easily found online and comes in powder form in 100g to 500g packages. It also comes in liquid form and concentrates.
You will also find it in combination with other enzymes in convenient powder form and liquid health drinks and mixes.
Xylanase Summary
Search for reputable products with clearly marked labels and be sure to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for dosage.
Enzymes are something every human body needs, and xylanase is a good place to start for an enzyme supplement that breaks down harmful sugars and high-fiber plants for digestive efficiency in delivering the best possible level of nutrients to the body.
If you’re suffering from the side effects of low enzymes, a xylanase supplement might what you’re looking for.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products discussed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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