Pepsin: The Powerful Enzyme That Breaks Down Protein
What Role Does Pepsin Play in Protein Digestion and Health?
Pepsin is the primary protein-digesting enzyme in the stomach, responsible for breaking down dietary proteins into smaller peptides that can be further processed by intestinal enzymes. Produced as inactive pepsinogen by gastric chief cells, pepsin becomes activated in the acidic stomach environment and plays crucial roles in both normal digestion and various disease processes including GERD.
Dr. Kumar’s Take
Pepsin is often overlooked in discussions about digestive health, but it’s absolutely crucial for protein digestion and has important implications for GERD patients. What many people don’t realize is that pepsin can remain active even when stomach acid is suppressed by medications, and it can cause tissue damage in the esophagus during reflux episodes. Understanding pepsin helps explain why some GERD patients continue to have symptoms despite acid suppression therapy.