Digestion and Enzymes  last updated 8.25.05  How digestion works
Here is a very nice illustration and simple description of the
digestive tract:  Illustration of Gastrointestinal Tract  Where
Enzymes Work in the Gut  This is an important consideration when
considering enzymes. First, amylase is contained in everyone's
saliva. Amylase is the enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates.
When you chew carbs/breads, it becomes sweeter as you chew
because the mechanical action of your teeth and amylase in the
saliva are breaking the carbohydrates down to their component
sugars.  Next, the foods goes to the stomach where it resides
about 60 minutes or more as it is further digested by the
stomach acid and pepsin. Pepsin is a protease enzymes released
into the stomach. There is more mechanical breakdown too by the
stomach muscles. If you take plant enzymes, most plant enzymes
are quite stable in the stomach environment and go to work. This
gives the plant enzymes an edge on digestion over
animal/pancreatic enzymes. Plant