What Does Xylanase Do?
Xylanase is an enzyme that breaks down xylan fibers in plant matter. Humans cannot produce this enzyme, even though we consume plant-based foods containing these fibers, such as wheat bread, cereals, nuts, and fresh vegetables.
Xylanase is beneficial for microbes and smaller organisms because it helps them extract nutrients from fibrous plant material. This characteristic also makes xylanase commercially valuable, as it can break down plant fibers for various applications, including dough conditioning, juice clarification, and paper processing. In the human digestive system, xylanase helps break down the xylans in our diet, releasing more nutrients from high-fiber vegetables and reducing gas or digestive discomfort often associated with fibrous foods, grains, and legumes.
Researchers have identified several types of naturally occurring bacteria in the human gut that produce xylanase. However, these bacteria primarily use the enzyme to break down fiber for their own energy needs, secreting only small amounts into our intestines. Studies show that our gut microbes and their enzymes are crucial for extracting energy from dietary carbohydrates, especially fiber. Research indicates that we digest about 72% of the dietary xylan we consume.
Since humans cannot produce xylanase and our gut bacteria produce limited amounts, taking xylanase supplements along with other carbohydrate-digesting enzymes can aid in digesting fibrous foods more completely, reducing indigestion and discomfort.
Health Benefits of Xylanase
Xylanase offers several health benefits:
Better digestion of plant-based foods: This can help increase the availability of nutrients.
Support for healthy intestinal bacteria: Xylanase may boost xylan-based prebiotics that nourish beneficial gut bacteria.
Reduced gas and discomfort: Xylanase can help alleviate digestive issues caused by difficult-to-digest plant foods like beans, cereals, and fibrous vegetables.
Degradation of biofilms: Xylanase can break down protective films produced by various microorganisms, including some that cause food poisoning and serious infections.
How to Read the Units of Measurement for Xylanase
Xylanase activity is measured in Xylanase Units (XU). These units indicate the enzyme’s activity level. The United States Pharmacopeia, in accordance with the Food Chemicals Codex (FCC), sets these standards. The FCC uses a standardized assay to accurately determine enzyme activity.
Where Can I Find the Best Source of Xylanase?
Xylanase can be sourced from various organisms. The xylanase in VeganZyme is derived from the fungal organism Trichoderma reesei. It is suitable for vegetarians and vegans, as are all the enzymes in this blend. VeganZyme’s ingredients are vegetarian, non-GMO, kosher certified, gluten-free, and contain no animal products.
VeganZyme is a comprehensive systemic and digestive enzyme formula, free from fillers and toxic compounds. It includes enzymes that help digest fats, sugars, proteins, carbohydrates, gluten, fruits, vegetables, cereals, legumes, bran, nuts, seeds, soy, dairy, and other food sources. Additionally, VeganZyme provides systemic enzymes that break down excess mucus, fibrin, various toxins, allergens, and excess clotting factors throughout the body.
