What Is Diastase Used in Premier Digest?

Introduction

Diastase is a starch-digesting enzyme activity associated with the breakdown of starches into smaller carbohydrate units. It belongs to the broader group of amylolytic enzymes, meaning enzymes that act on starch. In Premier Digest, diastase is included to strengthen the formula’s carbohydrate-digestion support alongside amylase.

The History of Diastase

Diastase has a special place in enzyme history. It was one of the earliest enzymes identified by scientists, and its discovery helped open the door to modern enzyme research.

In the 1800s, researchers studying malt observed that substances in sprouted grains could convert starch into sugar. This activity became known as diastase. The discovery was important because it demonstrated that biological materials could catalyze chemical changes without being consumed in the process.

That basic idea later became central to the modern understanding of enzymes.

Where Does Diastase Come From?

Diastase is naturally associated with sprouted grains, especially malted grains, where starch conversion is an important part of germination. As a seed begins to sprout, stored starches are broken down into simpler forms that can fuel early plant growth.

In modern ingredient production, diastase-type enzyme activity may be obtained through controlled biological processes designed to produce consistent enzyme activity for food, nutrition, and supplement use.

How Is Diastase Manufactured?

Diastase used in enzyme preparations is typically produced through controlled fermentation or extracted from enzyme-rich biological materials, depending on the ingredient source and intended use.

For supplement use, the important manufacturing goals are consistency, enzyme activity, purity, and stability. Because enzyme activity can be affected by heat, moisture, and pH, proper processing and testing are important.

What Does Diastase Do?

Diastase supports the breakdown of starch. It works in the same general digestive category as amylase, although enzyme labels may list them separately because they represent different measured activity profiles.

In practical terms, diastase helps explain why Premier Digest includes more than one carbohydrate-support enzyme. Starch digestion is an important part of handling many cooked meals.

Common Uses of Diastase

• Digestive support formulas: Included to support starch digestion.
• Brewing and malting: Historically important for converting grain starches into fermentable sugars.
• Baking and food processing: Used where starch conversion affects texture, sweetness, or fermentation.
• Honey quality testing: Diastase activity is sometimes used as a quality marker in honey evaluation.

Why Is Diastase Included in Digestive Supplements?

Diastase is included in digestive supplements because starch-rich foods are common in everyday meals. Cooked starches such as potatoes, rice, grains, and other carbohydrate foods require digestive processing before their nutrients can be used.

When used with other enzymes, diastase helps broaden the carbohydrate-support portion of a digestive enzyme formula.

Why Premier Digest Contains Diastase

Premier Digest contains 152 DP of diastase enzyme activity. This supports the formula’s ability to assist with starch digestion as part of a full-spectrum meal-digestion approach.

Diastase works alongside amylase in Premier Digest, helping support carbohydrate breakdown while other enzymes in the formula support protein, fat, lactose, sucrose, and fiber-related digestion.

Interesting Facts About Diastase

• Diastase was one of the first enzymes discovered in scientific history.
• The name is historically linked with starch separation and conversion.
• Diastase activity is closely associated with malt and sprouted grains.
• The “DP” on a supplement label refers to measured enzyme activity, not ingredient weight.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is diastase the same as amylase?

Diastase and amylase are closely related in function because both are involved in starch digestion. Labels may list them separately because they represent different measured enzyme activities.

Does Premier Digest contain diastase?

Yes. Premier Digest includes 152 DP of diastase enzyme activity.

What does diastase help digest?

Diastase supports the digestion of starches and related carbohydrate structures.

Why is diastase used in digestive enzyme formulas?

It helps support the breakdown of starch-containing foods, making it useful in broad-spectrum digestive enzyme blends.

Conclusion

Diastase is a historically important starch-digesting enzyme activity. In Premier Digest, it helps strengthen carbohydrate digestion support and complements amylase within the Premier Enzyme Blend. Its role is especially relevant for cooked and mixed meals that contain starches alongside protein, fat, fiber, and other nutrients.