Enzymes & Micronutrients
Enzymes perform numerous functions in the human body and are involved in processes such as digestion and metabolism. Vitamins, minerals and other nutrients also play an important role in everyday nutrition. At Vikingstore, you’ll find selected products containing enzymes, micronutrients, plant-based ingredients and other compounds for sports and everyday life.
There are many far-reaching claims online about enzymes and so-called “vital nutrients”. It is therefore worth looking closely at the actual formulation of a product.
What matters is not the most impressive product name, but which ingredients are included and in what amounts.
What Are Enzymes?
Enzymes are protein molecules that act as biological catalysts in the body.
They enable or accelerate numerous biochemical reactions without being consumed themselves.
The human body contains many different enzymes, each performing specific functions.
Enzymes involved in digestion are among the best known.
What Are Digestive Enzymes?
During digestion, components of food are broken down into smaller units so that they can be absorbed and processed by the body.
Various enzymes are involved in this process.
Well-known digestive enzymes include:
- Amylases – involved in breaking down carbohydrates
- Proteases – involved in breaking down proteins
- Lipases – involved in breaking down fats
- Lactase – breaks down lactose
Depending on the product, individual enzymes or combinations of different enzymes may be included.
Enzyme Complexes
Many dietary supplements contain not just one enzyme but an enzyme complex.
These products can combine several different enzymes.
The formulation can vary considerably from one product to another.
Therefore, don’t simply look at how many different enzymes are advertised.
More enzymes do not automatically mean a better product.
What matters is which enzymes are actually included, their amounts or activities and the intended use of the product.
What Does Enzyme Activity Mean?
Some enzyme supplements provide information about enzyme activity.
This is important because the weight of an enzyme in milligrams does not always tell you much about its actual activity.
Different units of activity may be used depending on the enzyme.
Two products with similar milligram amounts can therefore have quite different formulations.
Always check the complete product declaration when comparing enzyme supplements.
Lactase and Lactose
Lactase is one of the best-known digestive enzymes.
Lactase improves lactose digestion in individuals who have difficulty digesting lactose.
Individual tolerance to lactose can vary.
Always follow the manufacturer’s recommended use for the individual product.
Bromelain
Bromelain is an enzyme, or mixture of proteolytic enzymes, naturally found in the pineapple plant.
Bromelain is also used as an ingredient in various dietary supplements.
Check the formulation, dosage and product information carefully rather than relying on exaggerated claims.
Papain
Papain is an enzyme naturally found in the papaya plant.
It is also used in various dietary supplements and enzyme complexes.
Depending on the product, papain may be included on its own or combined with other enzymes.
Enzymes Are Not Miracle Products
Enzymes perform important functions in the human body.
However, this does not mean that taking additional enzymes automatically improves every bodily function.
Claims such as:
- “detoxes your body”
- “heals your gut”
- “activates your entire metabolism”
- “eliminates inflammation”
- “prevents diseases”
should be viewed critically when used to market dietary supplements.
Dietary supplements are foods, not medicines.
What Are Micronutrients?
Micronutrients primarily include vitamins and minerals.
The body requires them in relatively small quantities, but they perform numerous important functions.
Examples include:
- vitamin C
- vitamin D
- B vitamins
- magnesium
- zinc
- selenium
- iron
The micronutrients included vary depending on the individual product.
Coenzyme Q10
Coenzyme Q10 is a naturally occurring substance found in various tissues in the body and can also be obtained from certain foods.
Q10 is also available as a dietary supplement.
Different Q10 products, forms and combinations with other ingredients are available.
When comparing products, pay particular attention to the amount per daily serving and the complete formulation.
Greens & Plant-Based Ingredients
Depending on the range, this category may also include greens products.
These can contain various plant-based ingredients, such as:
- vegetable and plant powders
- algae
- herbs
- plant extracts
- fruit powders
- other botanical ingredients
The formulation can vary considerably between products.
A product with an extremely long ingredient list is not automatically better.
Greens Do Not Replace Vegetables
Greens powders provide a convenient way to consume a variety of plant-based ingredients in concentrated form.
However, they should not be considered equivalent to normal servings of vegetables and fruit.
A greens powder does not replace a varied diet containing vegetables, fruit and other minimally processed foods.
Especially with products containing many ingredients, check how much of each ingredient is actually included.
Probiotic Cultures
Depending on the product range, this category may also include supplements containing different microorganisms or bacterial cultures.
These products can contain different cultures, quantities and combinations.
When comparing them, pay close attention to:
- cultures used
- stated quantity
- daily serving
- additional ingredients
- storage instructions
- recommended use
Vitamins, Minerals & Other Ingredients
Many products combine enzymes or plant-based ingredients with vitamins and minerals.
Keep in mind that you may already be consuming some micronutrients through other dietary supplements.
These may include:
- multivitamins
- mineral complexes
- ZMA
- magnesium supplements
- vitamin D supplements
- sports supplements
Taking several supplements at the same time does not automatically result in better nutrient intake.
More Ingredients Are Not Automatically Better
Enzyme, greens and micronutrient complexes can sometimes contain extremely long lists of ingredients.
20, 30 or even more ingredients may look impressive on the label.
However, this alone tells you very little about the quality of the product.
What matters is:
- Which ingredients are included?
- In what amounts?
- Are individual amounts declared?
- What is the recommended daily serving?
- Which other supplements are you already using?
A long ingredient list is not a quality feature by itself.
Enzymes & Micronutrients for Athletes
Athletes are also often interested in products containing enzymes, vitamins, minerals and plant-based ingredients.
However, the same fundamentals apply as with other dietary supplements.
Training, nutrition, sufficient energy and protein intake, sleep and recovery remain the foundation.
Supplements can complement your diet.
They do not replace good training or a balanced diet.
What Should You Look for When Buying?
When comparing different products, check:
- Which ingredients are included?
- What is the daily serving?
- How much of each ingredient is provided per daily serving?
- Which enzymes are included?
- Is enzyme activity stated?
- Which vitamins and minerals are included?
- Which plant ingredients or extracts are used?
- How many daily servings are included?
- Do any ingredients overlap with your other supplements?
- What is the manufacturer’s recommended use?
Compare the actual formulation rather than simply counting the number of advertised ingredients.
Buy Enzymes & Micronutrients at Vikingstore
At Vikingstore, you’ll find various dietary supplements containing enzymes, micronutrients, plant-based ingredients and other selected compounds.
Depending on the current range, you may find:
- enzyme complexes
- digestive enzymes
- lactase
- bromelain
- papain
- coenzyme Q10
- greens
- plant extracts
- products containing bacterial cultures
- vitamin and mineral combinations
Compare products according to their actual formulation, dosage and recommended daily serving.
This makes it easier to find a product that suits your requirements and existing diet.
Frequently Asked Questions About Enzymes & Micronutrients
What Are Enzymes?
Enzymes are biological catalysts that enable or accelerate numerous chemical reactions in the human body.
What Are Digestive Enzymes?
Digestive enzymes are enzymes involved in breaking down different components of food. Examples include amylases, proteases and lipases.
What Is Lactase?
Lactase is an enzyme that breaks down lactose. Lactase improves lactose digestion in individuals who have difficulty digesting lactose.
What Is Bromelain?
Bromelain refers to proteolytic enzymes naturally found in the pineapple plant and is also used in dietary supplements.
What Is Papain?
Papain is an enzyme found in the papaya plant and is used in various enzyme complexes and dietary supplements.
What Are Micronutrients?
Micronutrients primarily include vitamins and minerals that the body requires in relatively small amounts.
Do Greens Replace Fruit and Vegetables?
No. Greens products can provide various plant-based ingredients but do not replace a varied diet containing fruit and vegetables.
Are More Enzymes or Ingredients Automatically Better?
No. The number of ingredients alone says little about product quality. The formulation, amounts, enzyme activity and recommended daily serving are more important.
Can Dietary Supplements Replace a Balanced Diet?
No. Dietary supplements are not a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.
