Digestive Enzymes

In the Digestive Enzymes collection we bring together food supplements from brands such as Thorne, NOW Foods, Nutergia, Solaray, KAL, Lamberts, Quest, Suravitasan, Be-Life, NPro and Designs for Health. You will find multi-enzyme formulas, specific enzymes such as lactase, betaine HCl with pepsin, bromelain and papain, in capsules, tablets and chewable tablets.

What digestive enzymes are

Enzymes are proteins that speed up chemical reactions. Digestive enzymes are produced mainly by the pancreas, the stomach and the small intestine, and each one acts on a type of nutrient: proteases on proteins, lipases on fats, amylases on starches and lactase on lactose.

Where supplement enzymes come from

In supplements, enzymes are obtained by fermentation (from fungi such as Aspergillus), from fruit, such as bromelain from pineapple and papain from papaya, or from animal sources, such as pancreatin. Products with pancreatin or pepsin are not suitable for vegetarians.

How activity is measured

Enzyme activity is not measured in milligrams but in units specific to each enzyme, such as FCC, DU, HUT, ALU, GDU or USP. That is why two products with the same weight can have very different activity: compare the units stated on the label.

Types of formulas

Multi-enzyme formulas

They combine proteases, lipases, amylases and other enzymes, such as cellulase, in a single serving, usually with meals. Some also include DPP-IV, gluten enzymes, betaine, live cultures or plant extracts.

Betaine HCl and pepsin

Betaine HCl is a form of hydrochloric acid bound to betaine. It comes alone or combined with pepsin and bitter plants such as gentian.

Bromelain and papain

These are enzymes that act on proteins, obtained from pineapple and papaya. Some formulas are taken with meals and others between meals: follow each product's label.

Precautions

Do not use products with betaine HCl or pepsin if you have a stomach ulcer or gastritis, or if you take medication for acidity or anti-inflammatories, without medical advice. Bromelain and papain are not recommended for people taking anticoagulants or with an allergy to pineapple, papaya or latex. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, ask a health professional for advice. If you often feel digestive discomfort, talk to your doctor: some causes can only be identified with tests.

See also the Probiotic Supplements collection.