Catalyst Health Dictionary

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Catalyst: From 1 Different Sources

n. a substance that alters the rate of a chemical reaction but is itself unchanged at the end of the reaction. The catalysts of biochemical reactions are the *enzymes.
Health Source: Oxford | Concise Colour Medical Dictionary
Author: Jonathan Law, Elizabeth Martin

Enzyme

A protein that acts as a catalyst for the body’s metabolic processes. The body contains thousands of enzymes, with each cell producing several varieties. The ?rst enzyme was obtained in a reasonably pure state in 1926. Since then, several hundred enzymes have been obtained in pure crystalline form. They are present in the digestive ?uids and in many of the tissues, and are capable of producing in small amounts the transformation on a large scale of various compounds. Examples of enzymes are found in the PTYALIN of saliva and DIASTASE of pancreatic juice which split up starch into sugar; the PEPSIN of the gastric juice and the trypsin of pancreatic juice which break proteins into simpler molecules and eventually into the constituent amino acids; and the thrombin of the blood which causes coagulation.

The diagnosis of certain disorders can be helped by measuring the concentrations of various enzymes in the blood. After a heart attack (myocardial infarction – see HEART, DISEASES OF), raised levels of heart enzymes occur as a result of damage to the cells of the heart muscle. Some inherited diseases such as GALACTOSAEMIA and PHENYLKETONURIA are the result of de?ciencies of certain enzymes.

Enzymes can be a useful part of treatment for some disorders. STREPTOKINASE, for example, is used to treat THROMBOSIS; wound-dressings containing papain from the pawpaw fruit – this contains protein-digesting enzymes – assist in the healing process; and pancreatic enzymes can be of value to patients with malabsorption caused by disorders of the PANCREAS.... enzyme

Chlorophyll

Stored energy of the sun. The green colouring matter of plants. A catalyst that speeds or maintains a reaction. Promotes granulation tissue in healing of wounds and tissue building. Most herbs contain chlorophyll. Acts as an oxidant in body metabolism and enhances the effect of vitamins and minerals. To a plant, chlorophyll is what haemoglobin is to the human body.

Uses: Bad breath and offensive perspiration, gastritis, sore throat and mouth, skin conditions that refuse to heal, burns, suppurating wounds, athlete’s foot. Cataract.

Preparations: Available as tablets, powders, green barley juice or essence.

Chlorophyll tablets (Potter’s). Each tablet contains: 30mg Chlorophyll and 60mg Kola. (Potter’s Herbal Supplies, Wigan, England) ... chlorophyll

Enzymes

An enzyme is a substance produced in the body, acting as a catalyst to trigger chemical change in another. Complex substances are thereby broken down into simple compounds to facilitate assimilation and absorption, as in the digestive juices. ... enzymes

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