Amylase, lipase, and protease are the three main digestive enzymes. They break down the three macronutrients.
First, amylase starts carbohydrate digestion in the mouth. Salivary glands release amylase when you chew. It turns starch into maltose and dextrins.
Next, the pancreas adds more amylase to the small intestine. This continues carbohydrate breakdown into simple sugars.
Additionally, protease begins protein digestion in the stomach. Chief cells secrete pepsinogen, which acid converts to active pepsin. Pepsin cuts proteins into peptides.
Then, pancreatic proteases such as trypsin and chymotrypsin work in the duodenum. They split peptides into amino acids.
Meanwhile, lipase handles fat digestion. Lingual lipase starts a small amount of fat breakdown in the mouth. Pancreatic lipase acts in the small intestine with bile. It turns triglycerides into fatty acids and glycerol.
Finally, the broken nutrients are absorbed through the intestinal wall. Without these enzymes, digestion would be incomplete.