Phytase is a chemical found in our digestive system. It is also found in plant food and in bacteria and yeast cells. In our food and during digestion, phytase breaks down a chemical called phytic acid. Phytase is sometimes used as medicine.
Phytase is used to increase the absorption of minerals like calcium, iron, and zinc. It might help to prevent or treat deficiencies in these minerals, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Is It Effective?
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
- Low levels of healthy red blood cells (anemia) due to iron deficiency. Early research shows that taking phytase with a meal containing iron increases the absorption of iron from the meal. But it isn't clear if taking phytase can help to prevent or treat iron deficiency.
- Zinc deficiency. Early research shows that taking phytase with a meal containing zinc increases the absorption of zinc from the meal. But it isn't clear if taking phytase can help to prevent or treat zinc deficiency.
- Aging skin.
- Tics or twitching of the eyelids (blepharospasm).
- Child growth.
- Infant development.
More evidence is needed to rate phytase for these uses.
Is it Safe?
Phytase is a natural chemical found in animals, plants, and microbes like bacteria. It helps to break down another chemical called phytic acid. Phytic acid can bind to important minerals like iron and zinc. Breaking down phytic acid helps to release iron and zinc so that the body can absorb them better.
When taken by mouth: Phytase is LIKELY SAFE when eaten in foods. Cereal grains, legumes, and other foods contain phytase. There isn't enough reliable information to know if phytase is safe to use as a supplement or medicine, or what the side effects might be.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if phytase is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
It is not known if Phytase interacts with any medicines. Before taking Phytase, talk with your healthcare professional if you take any medications.
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
There are no known interactions with foods.
The appropriate dose of phytase depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for phytase. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
3-Phytase, 6-Phytase, Aspergillus Niger Phytase, Bacterial Phytases, Beta-Propeller Phytase, Escherichia Coli Phytase, Fungal Phytases, Histidine Acid Phosphatase, Multiple Inositol Polyphosphate Phosphatase, Myoinositol-Hexakisphosphate Phosphohydrolase, Protein Tyrosine Phytase, Purple Acid Phytase.
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