What is the Difference Between Pancreatic Enzymes and Digestive Enzymes

The main difference between pancreatic enzymes and digestive enzymes is that pancreatic enzymes are specifically produced and released by the pancreas, while digestive enzymes are released by several parts of the digestive system, including salivary glands, pancreas, gallbladder, and liver.

Enzymes are biological molecules that catalyze certain reactions. These enzymes lower the activation energy barrier and increase the rate of reaction. They are biological catalysts. Various parts of the human body produce enzymes. These enzymes help to bring reactants together so that reactions take place with much ease. Some reactions definitely need an enzyme to happen. The body produces many types of enzymes, aiming at different reactants and substrates. These enzymes support the breakdown of many types of biological molecules. Some examples of enzymes are lipase, amylase, and protease. Pancreatic enzymes are a subset of digestive enzymes.

Key Areas Covered

1. What are Pancreatic Enzymes 
     – Definition, Production, Types
2. What are Digestive Enzymes
     – Definition, Production, Types
3. Relationship Between Pancreatic Enzymes and Digestive Enzymes
     – Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Pancreatic Enzymes and Digestive Enzymes
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Pancreatic Enzymes, Digestive Enzymes

What are Pancreatic Enzymes

Pancreatic enzymes are the enzymes the pancreas produces and releases. A normal person’s pancreas releases about 8 cups of pancreatic juices into the duodenum daily. Pancreatic enzymes help the breakdown of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. Hence, there are different types of pancreatic enzymes, namely, lipase, amylase, and protease.

Lipase is a key enzyme involved in the breakdown of dietary lipids, working in conjunction with bile to hydrolyze fats into smaller molecules that can be more easily absorbed by the body. The shortage of lipase may result in diarrhea and the presence of undigested fat in stools, as well as a lack of essential fat-soluble vitamins. Moreover, proteases break down proteins and keep the intestine free of parasites like protozoa, yeast, and bacteria. Deficiency of this enzyme results in an increase in infections, the formation of toxic substances due to incomplete digestion, and allergies. Moreover, amylase breaks down complex carbohydrates into simple sugars. Moreover, the body absorbs these sugars easily. Lack of amylase may cause diarrhea due to the starch present in the intestine.

When the pancreas is not able to produce the required amounts of pancreatic enzymes to break down and digest food, products containing pancreatic enzymes are taken from the outside. These products also aid in better absorption and digestion of food. If a person has pancreatic enzyme insufficiency, he or she may experience symptoms such as foul-smelling gas on stools, frequent stools, light-colored stools, a large amount of gas, weight loss, feelings of indigestion, and cramping after meals.

What are Digestive Enzymes

Digestive enzymes are the enzymes that the body produces to break down food to help digestion. Digestive enzymes are produced in salivary glands, pancreas, liver, and by certain other organs of the digestive tract. The pancreas produces the most important digestive enzymes, which digest carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Moreover, lipase, amylase, and protease, produced by the pancreas, and lactase and sucrose, produced in the small intestine, are a few examples of digestive enzymes.

Sometimes the body does not produce digestive enzymes in sufficient amounts. In certain instances, the body does not produce digestive enzymes at all. In fact, we call this condition digestive enzyme insufficiency. Lactose intolerance, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, and congenital sucrase-isomaltase deficiency are examples of conditions that can result from digestive enzyme insufficiency. Lactose intolerance means the body does not produce enough lactose to digest the sugar in milk and milk-related products. Moreover, in exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, the pancreas does not produce enough enzymes to digest proteins, carbohydrates, and fat. Additionally, congenital sucrase-isomaltase deficiency involves not having enough sucrase to break down certain sugars.

Furthermore, common symptoms of digestive enzyme deficiency include unexplained weight loss, gas, diarrhea, bloating, and oily stools. It’s always best to talk to a doctor if you see any of these symptoms.

Relationship Between Pancreatic Enzymes and Digestive Enzymes

• Pancreatic enzymes are a subset of digestive enzymes.
• Both pancreatic enzymes and digestive enzymes help in the digestion of food.
• Deficiencies of these enzymes can also result in symptoms like weight loss, gas, and diarrhea.

Difference Between Pancreatic Enzymes and Digestive Enzymes

Definition

Pancreatic enzymes are the enzymes the pancreas produces and releases, while digestive enzymes are the enzymes that the body produces to break down food to help digestion.

Production

While pancreatic enzymes are specifically produced and released by the pancreas, digestive enzymes are released by several parts of the digestive system, such as salivary glands, pancreas, gallbladder, and liver.

Release of Secretions

Pancreatic enzymes are released into the small intestine through the pancreatic duct, while digestive enzymes are secreted directly into the digestive tract.

Types

Pancreatic enzymes include lipases, amylases, and proteases, whereas digestive enzymes include a broader range of enzymes, including pepsin, sucrose, and lactase.

Conclusion

In brief, enzymes are biological molecules that catalyze reactions within biological systems. There are different types of enzymes produced and released in the digestive system. Pancreatic and digestive enzymes are such enzymes. In fact, pancreatic enzymes are a subset of digestive enzymes. The main difference between pancreatic enzymes and digestive enzymes is that pancreatic enzymes are specifically produced and released by the pancreas, while digestive enzymes are released by several parts of the digestive system, including salivary glands, pancreas, gallbladder, and liver.

Reference:

1. “Digestive Enzymes and Digestive Enzyme Supplements.” Health – John Hopkins Medicine.
2. “The Digestive Process: What Is the Role of Your Pancreas in Digestion?” Health – John Hopkins Medicine.

Image Courtesy:

1. “2517 Protein-Digesting Enzymes” By OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology – (CC BY 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia