Alpha amylase

Disease information

Identification of stress plays an important role in treating and preventing many diseases. Fortunately, we have a number of stress related markers that can be used to evaluate stress and its effects. These markers help manage a lot of stress related states by heralding an early warning through their increasing titers. One such marker is alpha amylase.

In humans, alpha amylase is produced in the salivary glands and secreted in saliva. It breaks down carbohydrates such as starch from plants and glycogen from animal components of the diet. The secretory alpha amylase (sAA) is strongly associated with autonomic nervous system (sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system) and hence can be used to study changes in its activity.