Enzymes: Help or Hindrance?

Is more always better when supplementing enzymes? Our animal nutritionists explain.

What is an enzyme?

Enzymes are a type of protein. Like a pair of scissors, they cut large nutrient molecules — starch, protein, fat — into small molecules cells can absorb: glucose, amino acids, fatty acids.

Where enzymes come from and what they do

Secreting enzymes is the digestive organs' own mechanism. After eating, the brain is stimulated and prompts the digestive organs to release enzymes. If too much is eaten, or too little enzyme is produced, nutrients that can't be broken down and absorbed are simply excreted. When the body's own enzyme output is insufficient, or it is weak and needs extra nutrition, supplementing enzymes helps nutrient absorption.

Enzymes are great — can I feed them all the time?

Our nutritionists do not recommend over-supplementing exogenous enzymes. Relying on added enzymes can affect, even suppress, the organs' own secretion; once supplementation stops, the gut struggles to break down most nutrients and digestive upset follows.

Enzyme supplementation therefore needs professional calculation, studying how it interacts with other nutrients so it delivers maximum benefit without disturbing normal body function. That's one reason we often remind owners not to mix Real Power recipes together.

Beyond dose, pairing enzymes with probiotics matters

In addition to an appropriate amount of hydrolytic enzymes to aid absorption, Real Power's ingredients are all pre-hydrolysed, raising both their nutritional value and utilisation.

❚ Further reading: What is Real Power's hydrolysis technology?