Antipepsin

/ˌæn.tiˈpep.sɪn/ noun

Definition

A substance or antibody that inhibits or opposes the action of pepsin, the enzyme that breaks down proteins in the stomach.

Etymology

Formed from 'anti-' (against) and 'pepsin' (from Greek 'peptein,' to digest). The term emerged in biochemistry and immunology to describe molecules that can neutralize pepsin's digestive function.

Kelly Says

Your stomach produces pepsin to digest food, but your body can also make antipepsin—it's like having built-in emergency brakes on your own digestive enzymes so they don't eat through your stomach lining.

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