Amylase

What Does Amylase Do?

Amylase is a specialized digestive enzyme responsible for catalyzing the hydrolysis of starches into simpler sugars like glucose and maltose. In the context of sports nutrition, it acts as a metabolic facilitator, ensuring that the complex carbohydrates you consume for fuel are broken down efficiently for rapid energy utilization.

• Enhanced Glycogen Replenishment: By accelerating the breakdown of starches, amylase helps shuttle glucose to your muscles faster, supporting intra-workout performance.
• Reduced Digestive Distress: It prevents the "heavy stomach" or bloating often associated with high-carbohydrate pre-workout meals or intra-workout powders by pre-digesting complex chains.
• Improved Energy Availability: Facilitates a more immediate and consistent spike in blood glucose levels, preventing the energy lag often felt when the body struggles to process complex carb sources.
• Optimized Nutrient Partitioning: Ensures that the calories you ingest are actually absorbed and utilized by the body rather than passing through the digestive tract unused.

Clinical vs. Gym Bro Dosing

Key Insight: While amylase is often measured in activity units (like DU or SKB), a 25mg dose is the industry standard for ensuring that a typical pre-workout carbohydrate source is processed without causing gastric lag or bloating.

Side Effects & Warnings

• Gastrointestinal Upset: Taking high doses of digestive enzymes on a completely empty stomach without any food to process can occasionally lead to mild cramping or nausea.
• Blood Sugar Spikes: Because amylase makes glucose available to the bloodstream faster, individuals with diabetes or insulin sensitivity should be aware of more rapid changes in blood sugar levels.

Tip: To get the most out of amylase, always consume it alongside a carbohydrate source. Taking it with a pure protein or fat source provides no performance benefit and may lead to minor stomach irritation.