Amylase

What is Amylase?

Amylase is an enzyme that helps break down starch molecules into simpler sugars. It is found naturally in human saliva and pancreatic juices, but can also be derived from plants, fungi and bacteria for use as a supplement ingredient.

How Amylase Works in the Body

When you eat starchy foods like bread, pasta, oats or potatoes, the amylase in your saliva begins breaking down the complex starch molecules into smaller bits. This process continues in your small intestine with help from pancreatic amylase. The end result is smaller sugars like maltose, maltotriose and dextrin that can be absorbed into the bloodstream for energy.

Supplemental amylase enzymes can give this digestive process a boost by helping break down starch before it reaches the small intestine. This is thought to help with:

• Improving digestion of starchy carbs
• Reducing gastrointestinal distress like bloating, gas or stomach pain
• Providing fermentable sugars to feed healthy gut bacteria
• Supporting stable blood sugar balance after high-carb meals

Amylase Sources in Supplements

The most common sources of amylase in supplements include:

• Fungal amylase - From Aspergillus species like A. oryzae. Considered safe and effective.
• Bacterial amylase - Usually derived from Bacillus subtilis. Also safe and effective.
• Plant-based amylases - Sourced from plants like papaya, fig or pineapple. Offer a vegetarian option.

Most amylase supplements are made by fermenting these microbes or extracting enzymes from fruit sources. The finished product contains high concentrations of active amylase enzymes.

Brands should state which amylase source is used in their products. Reputable Australian brands will also disclose the specific activity (measured in SKBU/gram) so consumers know the potency.

The Benefits of Amylase Supplements

Taking an amylase enzyme supplement with high-carb meals can provide a range of health benefits:

Supports Healthy Digestion

By giving your body’s natural amylase supply a boost, carbohydrates can be broken down more efficiently into simple sugars. This means less undigested starch passes through your digestive system, which may reduce unpleasant symptoms like bloating, gas, abdominal pain and diarrhea after eating starchy foods.

Supplemental amylase may be particularly helpful for those with digestive conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or gluten intolerance. The enzymes help pick up the slack for the body’s own compromised digestive capacities.

Stabilises Blood Sugar Levels

Slower starch digestion can lead to abnormal spikes and crashes in blood glucose. Amylase supplements help break down carbs faster to provide a steadier stream of fermentable sugars to be absorbed into the bloodstream for energy.

This is important for folks with insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome or type 2 diabetes who struggle with unstable blood sugar. Quicker carb breakdown takes pressure off the hormone insulin to manage glucose highs and lows.

Feeds Beneficial Gut Bacteria

The simple sugars created by amylase activity become food for healthy intestinal bacteria like Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus species. These symbiotic microbes flourish on fermentable fibres and sugars that make it to the colon undigested.

In return, beneficial gut flora crowd out problematic bacteria, reduce inflammation and enhance nutrient absorption. A well-fed microbiome is the foundation of good digestive health.

Aids Weight Management Goals

By improving how your body breaks down and absorbs carbs, amylase supplements can support weight loss plans. Supplemental enzymes help ensure fewer calories from starch escape digestion, while also lowering fat storage signals triggered by glucose spikes.

This allows folks to enjoy starchy foods as part of a healthy diet without absorbing as much excess energy or gaining as much body fat. For those cutting carbs for weight loss, amylase also helps reduce digestive troubles from abrupt starch reduction.

Who Should Consider Amylase?

Anyone who regularly eats large amounts of carbohydrates may benefit from amylase supplementation. This includes healthy folks as well as those with digestive troubles, blood sugar concerns, or unwanted weight gain.

More specifically, amylase supplements may help provide relief for:

• Individuals with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), gluten intolerance or other digestive issues aggravated by carbs and starch.
• People with diabetes, prediabetes or metabolic syndrome struggling with unstable blood sugar.
• Low-carb dieters who experience digestive distress when reducing starchy foods.
• Those looking to optimise nutrient absorption and feed their gut microbiome.
• Anyone wanting to manage weight while still including grains, legumes and starchy veggies in their diet.

Of course, adding an enzyme supplement should never replace medical treatment or dietary strategies recommended by your healthcare provider. But when paired alongside a healthy lifestyle, amylase enzymes can enhance how your body handles the carbohydrates you eat.

What to Look For in a Quality Amylase Supplement

With so many enzyme formulas on the market, it helps to know what marks a top-tier amylase supplement. Be sure to check that any product you consider has:

• A clearly designated source of amylase – Trusted options include fungal, bacterial and plant extractions.
• Transparent purity testing – Rigorous independent testing ensures potency and safety.
• Specific enzyme activity listed – This measure tells you the enzyme concentration. Look for >30,000 SKBU/gram.
• Minimal unnecessary fillers – No sugars, additives or allergens.
• Enzyme viability testing – This confirms supplements retain potency until expiration.
• Good manufacturing processes – Important for safety and quality control. Check for GMP certification.

Reputable Australian supplement companies will proudly display this information. Don’t hesitate to contact customer service if any details are unclear or missing.

It can also help to choose capsules over tablets when possible. The compressed pill format can damage delicate enzymes during production and storage. Quality capsules ensure the highest enzyme viability.

When to Take Amylase for Best Effects

Timing is everything when it comes to maximising amylase supplements benefits. For optimal starch digestion and absorption, be sure to take your amylase:

• With your first bite of a starchy meal or snack
• 5-10 minutes before eating to allow dissolution
• No more than 15 minutes pre-meal for best efficacy

The key is having active enzymes in your mouth, stomach and small intestine simultaneously with incoming carbohydrates. This gives amylase maximum contact time to break down starch.

Enzymes work best in specific pH conditions — saliva primes amylase activity, then stomach acid deactivates it, allowing intestinal enzymes to take over. Taking amylase at the right time allows this relay process to work most efficiently.

To simplify the timing, keep an amylase capsule by your plate at each meal. Make it part of your eating ritual to take the supplement just before picking up your fork to start enjoying grainy, starchy fare.

Is Amylase Safe?

When used appropriately, amylase enzymes have an excellent short-term safety profile for healthy adults. They are classified as GRAS (generally recognised as safe) by food safety authorities.

Just be mindful of the following considerations with amylase supplementation:

• Allergies - Amylase is derived from molds, bacteria or plants. If you have known allergies to these organisms, avoid or take care when selecting enzyme sources.
• Medications – Enzymes may interact with certain drugs. Consult your doctor before supplementing if taking any regular medications or blood thinners.
• Dosing – Always follow package directions. Taking more than directed doesn’t improve efficacy and may cause minor gut upset.
• Long term use – Limited research is available on continual use beyond 6-12 months. Periodic breaks from supplementation may be wise.

Checking with a health practitioner before adding amylase or any enzyme supplement is advised, especially for those with underlying health conditions or on other medications. But when used carefully alongside a balanced diet, amylase offers digestive support for better carb metabolism