What is Lipase?
Your fats-managing enzyme.
ˈlip-ˌās , ˈlīp- , -ˌāz
Lipase is an enzyme that breaks down lipids (fats) and fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. Interestingly, it is also the third enzyme found in the body’s natural pancreatic juices, along with protease and amylase.
You probably already know that some fats are required for the body to properly function, and lipase helps to keep good and bad fats in balance. You see, lipase actually assists in removing unhealthy fats from the body and promotes optimal levels of healthy fats by improving the digestion of them.
Furthermore, research has shown promising benefits of lipase working in conjunction with the body’s insulin to support optimal blood sugar levels.
Ready to learn more about the healthy-fats enzyme lipase? Let’s get started!
It’s All About the (Healthy) Fats
Lipase is like your body’s personal fats manager, protecting you from the harmful ones and ensuring that you keep the healthy ones around. But how does it do this? Lipase works to break down fat-transporting molecules, which releases triglycerides (a type of lipid) that the body can either use for energy or store in fatty tissue.
But when triglyceride levels become too high, this can result in elevated LDL (bad cholesterol), increasing the risk of heart disease and atherosclerosis.
According to research published in Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, lipase facilitates the excretion of unhealthy fats (saturated and trans-fat) from the blood. By doing this, lipase targets elevated triglyceride levels, bad cholesterol, undesired weight gain, and potential obesity.
Additionally, lipase assists in regulating excess amounts of fat-soluble vitamins, such as A, D, E and K, that might be stored in the liver and fat cells. High concentrations of these vitamins may lead to nausea, constipation, and digestive problems.
But a little lipase supplementation assists in maintaining proper levels of healthy-fats for overall well-being!
Fats in the Fast Lane
Perhaps the most noteworthy benefit of lipase is that it facilitates the excretion of unhealthy fats, such as saturated and trans-fat, while assisting healthy fats, like monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, to move efficiently throughout the body.
Here’s how it works: The body relies on lipase to break down healthy fats into smaller molecules that can be absorbed easily by the intestines and ultimately transported to different areas of the body.
Healthy fats boost HDL (good cholesterol) levels, triggering reverse cholesterol transport where cholesterol is moved away from cells and toward the liver. There, it is processed for excretion and then removed from the body entirely.
In other words, those good HDL particles that are achieved through the efficient processing of fats by lipase, prompt the movement of fat out of cells and eventually out of the body! More lipase, please!
But what does this mean for your health?
Lipase supplementation improves the body’s fat parameters by removing unhealthy fats as well as enhancing the nutritional value of healthy fats and fat-soluble vitamins that are derived from consuming nutritious foods.
If you’re going to eat healthy, you might as well get the greatest benefit from your careful choices by supplementing with a little lipase!
Lovin’ Lipase
In short, lipase improves the digestion of fats by ensuring that they are properly broken down into smaller molecules that can either be used for energy, stored as healthy fats, or excreted from the body. This also helps to boost HDL, which assists in maintaining healthy cholesterol levels.
Removing unhealthy fats and LDL from the body is particularly beneficial, as these are known causes of health problems.
Glycemic Supporter
Finally, lipase has been found to be a key supporter in maintaining optimal glycemic levels. This potentially makes lipase a key enzyme to support healthy blood sugar levels.
Research has consistently demonstrated that diabetes is associated with impaired lipid (fat) metabolism, resulting in elevated concentrations of blood glucose (sugar).
Increased glucose levels prompt the release of insulin, which kicks the enzymatic activity of lipase into high gear. That’s when fats-managing lipase converts fatty particles (due to the ineffective metabolism) back into larger triglycerides in which the body can store excess glucose as body fat.
It is important to note that lipase doesn’t break down glucose or directly impact insulin; however, its stunning ability to manage fats provides benefits beyond weight management and improved digestion. Lipase works in conjunction with insulin to support ideal blood sugar levels, potentially benefiting those who live with certain risk factors for diabetes.
Looking for Lipase?
Check out these enzyme blends which contain the fats-managing lipase to help you get the greatest benefit from the food you consume:
Devigest – A powerful enzyme blend that eases digestive complaints from many hard-to-digest foods and harnesses the power of lipase to help break down fats.
Neprinol – Cleanses the blood (with the help of lipase to digest fats in it) and supports proper joint and circulatory function.
