Truth about digestive supplements: Why many people don’t need them
Doctor explains whether digestive enzyme supplements are worth taking (Photo: Magnific)
Digestive enzyme supplements may help people with certain digestive disorders, but for most healthy individuals, taking them regularly has no proven benefit. Read on to learn which symptoms may indicate an enzyme deficiency, according to Professor and dietitian Oleh Shvets.
Types of digestive enzymes
Digestive enzymes are proteins naturally produced by the body that help break food down into nutrients that can be absorbed in the intestines.
Digestion actually begins in the mouth, where saliva contains enzymes that start breaking down food. Additional enzymes are produced by the stomach, small intestine, and pancreas.
The main digestive enzymes produced by the pancreas include:
- Amylase, which is produced in both the mouth and pancreas, breaks down complex carbohydrates
- Lipase, which breaks down fats
- Proteases, which break down proteins
The small intestine also produces:
- Lactase, which breaks down lactose
- Sucrase, which breaks down sucrose
What happens when your body doesn't produce enough digestive enzymes?
Some people do not produce enough digestive enzymes, making it difficult for the body to break down certain foods and absorb nutrients properly.
According to the expert, enzyme deficiency may be linked to genetic disorders. Pancreatic enzyme insufficiency can also result from chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, gastrointestinal surgery, pancreatic cancer, or other conditions that impair pancreatic function.
A lack of digestive enzymes can lead to malabsorption, meaning the body cannot properly absorb nutrients.
Common symptoms include:
- Abdominal pain or cramps
- Bloating
- Diarrhea
- Excessive gas
- Oily stools
- Unexplained weight loss
Digestive enzymes vs. probiotics
Digestive enzymes and probiotics serve different purposes.
Probiotics are live microorganisms that make up the beneficial gut microbiome. They help maintain digestive health and support the body's natural digestive processes.
However, probiotics do not break down food like digestive enzymes do.
An imbalance in the gut microbiome can also cause symptoms similar to enzyme deficiency, including bloating and excessive gas.
Many digestive enzyme products are sold over the counter and are commonly marketed as remedies for heartburn, bloating, gas, and diarrhea.
These supplements may contain amylase, lipase, proteases, lactase, as well as alpha-galactosidase, an enzyme the human body does not naturally produce that may help some people digest foods that cause bloating and gas.
"It's important to remember that dietary supplements are not subject to the same safety and effectiveness standards as prescription medicines. The actual enzyme content, concentration, and effects may differ from what manufacturers claim," the expert noted.
What should you eat instead?
A varied, balanced diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean protein provides the greatest benefits for digestion. This type of diet best supports the body's natural enzyme production and overall digestive health.
Digestive discomfort is far more often linked to eating too many ultra-processed, fatty, or fried foods than to a lack of digestive enzymes.
Most healthy people do not need digestive enzyme supplements, as the body normally produces enough enzymes to digest food effectively.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
