Enzyme


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Enzyme


An enzyme is a protein produced by the body to speed up a specific chemical reaction in the body. The body produces many different kinds of enzymes for many different body processes, such as digestion and blood clotting.

Some inherited diseases are caused by problems with the production of certain enzymes. Health professionals may measure the levels of certain enzymes in a person's blood to help diagnose certain types of disease, such as liver problems.

Credits


Author Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS
Author Robin Parks, MS
Editor Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Editor Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor Tracy Landauer
Primary Medical Reviewer E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology
Last Updated September 13, 2007

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Last updated: September 13, 2007
Author: Robin Parks, MS
Reviewed By: E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine, Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology
Editors: Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer

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