Enzyme inhibitors are substances that decrease the activity of enzymes, which are proteins that speed up chemical reactions in the body. By binding to an enzyme, these inhibitors can block its ability to catalyze reactions, leading to a reduction in the production of specific products. This process is crucial in regulating various biological pathways. There are two main types of enzyme inhibitors: competitive and non-competitive. Competitive inhibitors resemble the enzyme's natural substrate and compete for the active site, while non-competitive inhibitors bind to a different part of the enzyme, altering its function. Understanding these inhibitors is important in fields like pharmacology and biochemistry.