What Are Digestive Enzymes and Who Needs Them?

When you eat food, your body does the work to digest it so that you can receive the energy and nutrients it provides. Usually, this process is pretty straightforward.

But what happens when things go wrong? Do you need assistance with things like digestive enzymes?

What Are Digestive Enzymes?

Digestive enzymes are what helps break down the food you eat.

In order for food to provide your body with energy and nutrients, it must first be broken down and digested.

As soon as food enters your mouth, enzymes in your saliva start the process of digestion.

As that food moves down your digestive tract, the process of digestion continues.

Digestive enzymes are produced and released by several organs, including your mouth, stomach, small intestine, and pancreas. (1)

There are many different types of digestive enzymes, but they all fall into three main categories.

These categories are in line with the three major macronutrients (carbohydrates, fat, and protein) that make up all food.

Examples of digestive enzymes include: (2)

• Amylases: Helps digest carbohydrates into simple sugars.
• Proteases: Helps digest protein into individual amino acids.
• Lipases: Helps digest fats (also known as triglycerides), into fatty acid

Digestive Enzyme Benefits

Digestive enzymes can help manage undesirable symptoms from improperly digested food.

Without them, food would not be properly digested. Improperly digested food can lead to a variety of symptoms, such as: (3)

• Gas
• Bloating
• Abdominal pain
• Heartburn
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fatigue
• Bowel problems
• Unexplained weight changes

Digestive enzymes may help prevent or manage any of these symptoms.

They can also protect from malnutrition that is due to improperly absorbed nutrients. (2)

Do You Need Digestive Enzyme Supplements?

Some people’s bodies do not make enough digestive enzymes. Sometimes this is caused by something you are born with, while other times, it can develop over time.

Things that can contribute to not making enough digestive enzymes may include:

• Problems with the pancreas. (4)
• Taking long-term antacids, having hypothyroidism, or having stomach cancer. (5)
• Surgical procedures, like gastric bypass.
• Genetic disorders. (6)

People who have a digestive enzyme deficiency need to take digestive enzyme supplements.

People who have symptoms of improper digestion but do not have a deficiency may or may not benefit from digestive enzymes.

Some research supports the use of digestive enzymes for conditions including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and functional dyspepsia. (7)

Are Digestive Enzyme Supplements Safe?

There is a low risk associated with enzyme supplements. (8)

However, since over-the-counter digestive enzymes are sold as dietary supplements, they are not well regulated by the FDA. (9)

This means they may include contaminants and not contain exactly what they say they do.

Other possible side effects of taking digestive enzymes if you do not need them include:

• Stomach pain
• Allergic reaction
• Interactions with other substances, medications, or drugs you may be taking

What Are Examples of Natural Digestive Enzymes?

Many foods naturally contain digestive enzymes. Here is a list of some of them:

• Papaya: Contains papain, an enzyme that helps break down proteins. (10)
• Pineapple: Contains bromelain, an enzyme that also helps digest proteins. (11)
• Kiwi: Contains actinidin, a protein-digesting enzyme. (12)
• Honey: Contains a form of amylase, which digests carbohydrates. (13)
• Oats: Contain many lipases to help digest fats. (14)
• Ginger: Contains zingibain, a type of protease that helps digest proteins. (15)
• Mango: Contains amylase for carb digestion. (16)

When to See a Doctor

It is safe to try enzymes to see if they help with digestive symptoms.

However, if symptoms persist, it is best to communicate with your doctor for additional testing or recommendations.

Some symptoms of improper digestion could be signs of a more serious underlying disorder.

Your doctor may be able to run some tests to see if you have a deficiency of digestive enzymes.

They may also be able to recommend or prescribe digestive enzyme supplements.

The Bottom Line

Digestive enzymes help break down the food you eat to help you absorb nutrients and receive energy.

Digestive enzymes help with the digestion of carbs, protein, and fats.

There are many different foods that naturally contain digestive enzymes, but they can also be taken as a supplement.

Not having enough digestive enzymes can cause negative symptoms.

People who are deficient need to take supplements, but those who are not may or may not benefit from them.

Digestive enzymes are safe to take, but check with your doctor if you have persistent negative symptoms as something else may be going on that needs to be addressed.