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.
Last Updated:December 7, 2009
Author:Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS & Robin Parks, MS
Medical Review:E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine & Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology