Compounds that speed up the breaking down of food so that nutrients can be absorbed are called

Compounds that speed up the breaking down of food so that nutrients can be absorbed are called enzymes. 

Enzymes are cells that are made up of special chains of amino acids that unite in different forms to help break down sugar levels, and fat molecules stored inside your body. They are important because cells need enzymes so that they can live and work properly. Without the enzymes, this would be fatal for the human body.