A Quick Guide to Digestive Enzymes

Food intolerance? IBS? Cramps, bloating, & gas?

You’re certainly not alone if you suffer from any of these ailments. While there are many possible reasons for each of the above problems, there is one, in particular, you don’t hear about as often that I want to talk about today that could be the culprit.

Digestive enzymes.

Gut health doesn’t always get the attention it deserves to begin with so it isn’t a surprise that not many talk about digestive enzymes. Overall, this topic of gut health is important but often overlooked but we need to remember that the gut and brain are connected so gut health should be a top priority.

How do digestive enzymes come into play?

Well, for some they may be causing many of the digestive ailments you’re suffering from such as the ones mentioned above. They play a huge part in our digestive system so if our body doesn’t have the digestive enzymes I needs then many of the other systems in our body won’t work as they should either.

What are digestive enzymes?

Naturally occurring digestive enzymes are proteins that your body makes to break down food and aid digestion. Your body makes enzymes in the digestive system, including the mouth, stomach, and small intestine. 

These digestive enzymes help your body break down everything from carbohydrates, to fats, and also proteins from the food you eat. This is necessary to allow for the absorption of nutrients. 

Why are digestive enzymes important?

In order for your body to function properly, it needs to have digestive enzymes available to break down foods. If you don’t have enough of them, you may not be able to absorb all the nutrients in your food—which can lead to conditions like malnutrition, anemia and others.

If eaten without having proper digestive enzymes, certain foods can cause constipation or diarrhea and improper digestion of carbs and fats can lead to bloating and indigestion.

What are the common digestive enzymes you need?

The six main digestive enzymes you need are: 

• Amylase – breaks down carbs and starches into simple sugar
• Lactase – breaks down lactose into simple sugars glucose and galactose
• Lipase – breaks down lipids into fatty acids and glycerol
• Protease – breaks down protein into amino acids
• Maltase – breaks down malt sugar into glucose
• Sucrase – breaks down sugar into glucose and fructose

Are some people more likely to have digestive enzyme insufficiency?

For those who suffer from digestive enzyme insufficiency, it could be either congenital or develop over time. Some enzyme insufficiencies may be genetic, meaning they’re the result of an abnormal gene. But others maybe be caused by certain disorders or medical treatments.

Some disorders or medical treatments that can lead to pancreatic enzyme insufficiency are:

• Chronic pancreatitis
• Cystic fibrosis
• Gastrointestinal surgeries
• Pancreatic cancer

How can I increase the digestive enzymes in my gut?

Certain foods contain digestive enzymes, including:

• avocados
• bananas
• ginger
• honey
• kefir
• kiwi
• mangos
• papayas
• pineapples
• sauerkraut

Prescription enzyme supplements are recommended for conditions that affect the functioning of the pancreas, such as chronic pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer. 

There are also supplements you can take to assist. Some of my favorite brands are A few of my favorite brands NOW Foods, Thorne, Doctors Best Vitamins, and Life Extension.

The best thing you can do regardless of which category you fall in here is to eat a diet rich in whole food.

Conclusion

Digestive enzymes are essential to nutrition and overall good health. They help your body absorb nutrients from the foods you eat. Without them, certain foods can lead to uncomfortable symptoms, food intolerances, or nutritional deficiencies.

References:

1. Pietrangelo, Ann. “Digestive Enzymes: What Are They, Do They Work, and More.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 3 Sept. 2021, https://www.healthline.com/health/exocrine-pancreatic-insufficiency/the-role-of-digestive-enzymes-in-gi-disorders.
2. Barbara Bolen, PhD. “Digestive Enzymes: Types and Function.” Verywell Health, Verywell Health, 6 Sept. 2022, https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-are-digestive-enzymes-1945036.
3. “Digestive Enzymes and Digestive Enzyme Supplements.” Digestive Enzymes and Digestive Enzyme Supplements | Johns Hopkins Medicine, 10 Feb. 2022, https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/digestive-enzymes-and-digestive-enzyme-supplements.