What Are the Benefits of Taking Digestive Enzyme Supplements?

Enzymes are essential players in our digestive system, helping break down the food we eat so our bodies can absorb the nutrients. But when our enzyme levels are off, it can lead to digestive issues. In this article, we’ll explore the importance of digestive enzymes, common deficiencies, and how enzyme supplements might help improve your digestion.

What Are Digestive Enzymes?  

Enzymes are proteins that act as biological catalysts. Meaning, they speed up chemical reactions in the body, including the liver and particularly the digestive tract. Too much or too little of specific enzymes in the body can cause health problems. 

Digestive juices released by organs such as the pancreas, stomach, and intestines play an important role in digestion. They contain digestive enzymes that help the body digest proteins, carbohydrates, and fats and absorb the nutrients in these foods.

Digestive Enzymes and Digestion  

Digestive enzymes break down food and help with digestion. In addition to biological digestive enzymes, which are naturally occurring in the body, natural digestive enzymes can be found in certain fruits and vegetables. 

The stomach, small intestine, and pancreas make digestive enzymes in the body. Of these, the pancreas is the main organ that makes enzymes that the body uses to break down macronutrients (proteins, carbohydrates, and fats).

Digestion is the process of breaking down food into nutrients, which the body absorbs to obtain energy for growth and vital functions. 

Common Types of  Digestive Enzymes 

There are different types of digestive enzymes targeting different nutrients. The pancreas produces some of the main enzymes:

• Amylase: The pancreas and salivary glands (in the mouth) make amylase to help break down complex carbohydrates.

• Protease: This pancreatic enzyme helps break down proteins into smaller components called amino acids.

• Lipase: A vital digestive enzyme that helps break down fats into smaller components called fatty acids.

In addition to the enzymes produced by the pancreas, the small intestine produces these enzymes:

• Lactase: This intestinal enzyme helps break down lactose 

• Sucrase: Another enzyme produced by the small intestine that is responsible for breaking down sucrose

What Are The Signs You Need Digestive Enzymes?

Symptoms

People who don’t have enough digestive enzymes can develop digestive disorders. Symptoms of digestive enzyme deficiency may include:

• Gas

• Bloating

• Stomach cramps

• Diarrhea

• Constipation

• Indigestion

• Steatorrhea (oily stools)

• Unexplained weight loss

Talk to your healthcare provider if you experience any digestive symptoms for more than two weeks. If left untreated, digestive enzyme deficiency can lead to:

• Malnutrition (due to poor nutrient absorption)

• Delayed growth in children (in cases of chronic deficiency)

Different Health Conditions Caused by Enzyme Deficiencies

Lactose Intolerance: People with lactose intolerance have a deficiency of a digestive enzyme called lactase. This makes it difficult for them to digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and dairy products. Eating these foods causes symptoms like gas, bloating, and diarrhea in such individuals. Taking lactase supplements can provide relief.

Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI): People with pancreatic disorders such as diabetes, chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, cystic fibrosis, or gastrointestinal surgery can develop exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). This condition is associated with decreased amounts of digestive enzymes. It can lead to difficulty digesting and absorbing food, resulting in malnutrition, vitamin deficiencies, osteoporosis, a weakened immune system, slowed growth in children, and other health problems. Doctors can give prescription enzyme supplements to people with EPI.

Fabry Disease is a rare inherited disorder in which a genetic mutation prevents the body from making enough alpha-galactosidase A (alpha-GAL) which helps break down a fat-like substance called sphingolipids. A deficiency of alpha-GAL enzymes can lead to the accumulation of sphingolipids, affecting the heart, kidneys, central nervous system, and skin. Treatment consists of enzyme replacement therapy with twice monthly intravenous (IV) infusion of a lab-made alpha-GAL enzyme such as pegunigalsidase alfa (Elfabrio) and agalsidase beta (Fabrazyme).

Alpha-Galactosidase Deficiency: Alpha-galactosidase is an enzyme that helps digest a type of non-absorbable fiber called galactooligosaccharides (GOS) which are found in root vegetables, beans, and certain dairy products. The body doesn’t make enough of alpha-galactosidase, even in healthy people without enzyme deficiency. While beneficial, undigested GOS can cause digestive distress (gas and bloating) in some people. Taking over-the-counter (OTC) digestive enzyme supplementation containing alpha-galactosidase can relieve symptoms in such individuals.

Benefits of Digestive Enzyme Supplements  

Improved Nutrient Absorption  

Digestive enzyme supplements help in breaking down macronutrients (carbohydrates, fats, and proteins). This can result in nutrients being more easily absorbed. 

Reduced Bloating and Indigestion  

People with GI symptoms such as gas, bloating, and abdominal pain may get relief by taking enzyme supplements.

Other Potential Benefits

More research is needed, but there is some evidence that digestive enzyme supplements may: 

• Ease the side effects of chemotherapy, such as diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. 

• Helps to reduce inflammation and swelling by breaking down inflammatory proteins. 

• Relieve sore muscles and speed up muscle recovery.

Natural Sources of Digestive Enzymes  

Enzyme-Rich Foods  

Here are some foods that are naturally rich in digestive enzymes:

Benefits of Natural Enzymes

Experts say there is no real evidence that eating foods rich in natural digestive enzymes can improve digestion. However, some people may get relief from digestive symptoms by eating more foods that contain digestive enzymes, such as foods that release enzymes during the fermentation process.

How To Incorporate Enzyme-Rich Foods Into Your Diet

Enzyme-rich foods should be part of an overall healthy, well-balanced diet that includes fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, low-fat dairy, and healthy fats. Unhealthy foods such as highly processed foods or fatty/fried foods are more likely to cause irritation in the digestive tract rather than not enough digestive enzymes. Eating a healthy diet will support your body’s natural enzymes in digestion. 

Choosing The Right Digestive Enzyme Supplement  

Prescription Digestive Enzymes

Medical conditions that cause enzyme insufficiency can be treated with prescription digestive enzymes. 

For example, people with cystic fibrosis may be prescribed pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) which includes amylases, lipases, and proteolytic enzymes to break down carbs, fats, and proteins. For example, pancrelipase (Creon, Zenpep). 

Other conditions that may benefit from PERT include recurrent pancreatitis, and, potentially, irritable bowel syndrome.

Over-the-counter (OTC) Digestive Enzymes

There are many over-the-counter digestive enzyme supplements available to treat uncomfortable symptoms such as gas, bloating, acid reflux, and diarrhea. These supplements typically contain a combination of different enzymes. Some of the enzymes found in supplements include amylase, lipase, protease, lactase, and alpha-galactosidase. There is no scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness or health benefits. However, you may find that one works better for you than others. 

Factors To Consider Before Taking Supplements  

Experts warn that over-the-counter digestive enzyme supplements are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). As a result, you cannot be sure if they contain the ingredients or concentration mentioned on the label. In addition, their effects are not supported by scientific evidence, and their side effects are unknown. 

Understanding Supplement Labels  

Supplement labels include vital information that you should read carefully. Pay attention to the following:

• Recommended dose: This is the amount of supplement you should take based on your age group.

• Dosing: This tells you whether to take one dose or multiple doses of the supplement throughout the day and timing in regards to meals.

• Serving size: This tells you how much supplement you should take to get the desired dose.

• Ingredients: This is the nutrient content of the supplement. It may be listed as the percentage daily value (%DV) which is a percentage of the total estimated nutritional need for most people.

Digestive Enzymes vs Probiotics

Digestive enzymes and probiotics both affect digestion, but they are not the same thing. As noted, digestive enzymes are substances that speed up chemical reactions and aid digestion. Probiotics are live organisms (healthy bacteria) that maintain a balance between healthy and harmful bacteria in the digestive tract. But unlike digestive enzymes, probiotics do not break down food. However, an imbalance between good and bad bacteria in your gut can cause symptoms resembling digestive enzyme insufficiency.

Effectiveness and Safety of Digestive Enzyme Supplements  

Are Digestive Enzymes Safe To Take Daily?

Digestive enzyme supplements are generally safe, but they are not risk-free. Most healthy people make enough enzymes and do not need digestive enzyme supplementation. Talk to your healthcare professional before taking any dietary supplements.  

Who Should Avoid Digestive Enzyme Supplements? 

People with a history of allergic reactions to any of the ingredients in enzyme supplements should not take them. Pregnant women and people with gastrointestinal diseases, such as gastric ulcers, pancreatic conditions (pancreatitis), and other chronic health conditions, should consult their doctor before taking any dietary supplements.

Potential Side Effects and Risks  

Common side effects of digestive enzyme supplements include digestive system symptoms such as stomach pain, nausea, and diarrhea. Taking them with a large meal may reduce some of these effects.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Do Digestive Enzymes Help Reduce Belly Fat?  

Enzymatic activity helps in digestion, but there is no evidence that digestive enzyme supplementation can reduce belly fat or lead to weight loss. 

How Do You Know If You Need Digestive Enzymes?  

You may benefit from taking certain over-the-counter enzyme supplements, such as lactase (Lactaid, others), if you have lactose intolerance, or alpha galactosidase (Beano) if beans and cruciferous vegetables cause uncomfortable symptoms. If you have certain health conditions, such as exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), your doctor may prescribe enzyme supplementation.