Accept All Reject All Show Enzymw. However, Immune system boosters if supplements Promote muscle recovery third-party eupport, that doesn't mean they are necessarily safe for all or effective in general. How We Select Supplements Our team works hard to be transparent about why we recommend certain supplements; you can read more about our dietary supplement methodology here.

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The Value of Digestive Enzyme Supplements Digestivr Immune system boosters shows little risk of infection from prostate Non-stimulant fat metabolism. Discrimination at work is linked to high blood Digestive enzyme support. Djgestive fingers and suplort Poor circulation or Raynaud's phenomenon? My love affair with spicy food came to a sad end a few years ago. Age — and I'm guessing too many jalapenos — have left me prone to heartburn if I eat meals with a fiery flare.

Digestive enzyme support -

But that's tricky sometimes. So I was particularly interested when a friend suggested that an over-the-counter OTC digestive enzyme supplement might help. I learned pretty quickly that there are lots of ads for the pills and powders. OTC digestive enzymes claim they can help you break down food, just like digestive enzymes your own body makes mostly in the pancreas.

For example, the enzymes produced by the pancreas include:. The supplement versions of these enzymes come from plants and animals.

Plant sources include bromelain, derived from pineapples; papain, derived from papayas; and lactase that's obtained from purified yeasts or fungi. Animal sources include enzymes from the pancreases of pigs, cows, or lambs. But there's no way to know what's really in supplements.

The FDA does not regulate them, therefore you can't be sure what the pills are really made of or the exact amounts of enzymes they may contain. Kyle Staller, a gastroenterologist at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital.

Sometimes the body doesn't make enough digestive enzymes. This can slow the digestion process and lead to uncomfortable symptoms.

Would a digestive enzyme supplement help treat the symptoms of occasional heartburn, caused by acid reflux, slow stomach emptying, or an unknown reason like I have? The answer is that we don't know. But we do know that OTC digestive enzymes can help manage other conditions.

For example, if you don't make enough of the enzyme alpha-galactosidase, needed to digest the sugar in beans, you may benefit from taking an alpha-galactosidase supplement Beano, Bean Relief. Or if you don't make enough of the enzyme lactase, needed to digest lactose — the sugar in milk and milk-based products — you may benefit by taking a lactase supplement Lactaid, Lactrase.

That creates bloating, flatulence, and diarrhea," explains Dr. Sometimes doctors recommend taking prescription-strength digestive enzymes. These may be necessary when digestion enzyme levels are low because of a health condition such as chronic pancreatitis or cystic fibrosis.

Taking prescription digestive enzyme medications helps bring levels back to normal. Because I am persistent, I asked if it would hurt to try an OTC digestive enzyme for occasional heartburn.

Both my doctor and Dr. Staller had the same answer: "In most cases, it's unlikely to be harmful. But don't spend a lot of money on them," Dr.

Staller advised. Digestive enzymes are objectively important for good digestion, though the effect of an enzyme supplement depends on the ingredients it contains and whether it is appropriate for your digestive issue.

If you have digestive symptoms due to an enzyme deficiency or intolerance, supplementing with the particular enzyme responsible for the nutrient you are malabsorbing can improve symptoms. Digestive enzymes are not intended to treat constipation.

However, if you have an enzyme deficiency or dietary intolerance, you may notice changes in your bowel movements. Poor digestion of nutrients most often results in gas, bloating, or diarrhea, though constipation may be experienced in some cases as well. Digestive enzymes are most effective when matched to the appropriate issue.

A random blend of enzymes may not be an effective digestive aid. Although many products are marketed with broad claims for digestion and health, proven benefits are limited to certain conditions.

For those with lactase deficiency, fructose intolerance, or galacto-oligosaccharide sensitivity, supplementing with adequate doses and appropriate timing of the target enzyme has been clinically shown to improve symptoms. There are few risks associated with enzyme supplementation.

Known side effects include gastrointestinal discomfort, particularly with increased dosage. As with any commercially available supplement, digestive enzyme products are minimally regulated and can include contaminants and doses that do not match the label or vary across brands.

Products with ox and bovine ingredients may present risk of disease transition, including bovine spongiform encephalopathy aka mad cow disease. Additionally, some digestive enzymes can cause adverse side effects when taken in excess.

For example, papain can cause esophageal perforation at high doses. Those that are pregnant, lactating, have a preexisting medical condition or those taking any medications should consult a healthcare professional before taking any digestive enzymes.

Suzie Finkel, MS, RD, CDN , is a nutrition consultant specializing in the nutritional management of digestive problems. As a GI dietitian, she provides evidence-based nutrition services for a wide array of conditions, including enzyme deficiencies.

Her goal is to demystify nutrition mis information and facilitate digestive comfort. Tuck CJ, Taylor KM, Gibson PR, Barrett JB, Muir JG. Increasing symptoms in irritable bowel symptoms with ingestion of galacto-oligosaccharides are mitigated by [alpha]-galactosidase treatment.

Am J Gastroenterol. Sanders SW, Tolmac KG, Reitberg DP. Effect of a single dose of lactase on symptoms and expired hydrogen after lactose challenge in lactose-intolerant subjects.

Clin Pharm. Ianiro G, Pecere S, Giorgio V, Gasbarrini A, Cammarota G. Digestive enzyme supplementation in gastrointestinal diseases. Curr Drug Metab. Komericki P, Akkilic-Materna M, Strimitzer T, Weyermair K, Hammer HF, Aberer W.

Oral xylose isomerase decreases breath hydrogen excretion and improves gastrointestinal symptoms in fructose malabsorption - a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. Gibson PR, Newnham E, Barrett JS, Shepherd SJ, Muir JG. Review article: Fructose malabsorption and the bigger picture.

Schnedl WJ, Schenk M, Lackner S, Enko D, Mangge H, Forster F. Diamine oxidase supplementation improves symptoms in patients with histamine intolerance.

Food Sci. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Department of Health and Human Services. Treatment for Lactose Intolerance.

Levine B, Weisman S. Enzyme replacement as an effective treatment for the common symptoms of complex carbohydrate intolerance. Nutr Clin Care. Park SY, Rew JS. Is lipase supplementation before a high fat meal helpful to patients with functional dyspepsia?

Gut Liver. Levine ME, Koch SY, Koch KL. Lipase supplementation before a high-fat meal reduces perceptions of fullness in healthy subjects. Increasing Symptoms in Irritable Bowel Symptoms With Ingestion of Galacto-Oligosaccharides Are Mitigated by [alpha]-Galactosidase Treatment. Money ME, Walkowiak J, Virgilio C, et al.

Pilot study: a randomised, double blind, placebo controlled trial of pancrealipase for the treatment of postprandial irritable bowel syndrome-diarrhoea. Frontline Gastroenterology.

Achufusi TGO, Sharma A, Zamora EA, Manocha D. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth: Comprehensive review of diagnosis, prevention, and treatment methods.

Lin MY, Dipalma JA, Martini MC, Gross CJ, Harlander SK, Savaiano DA. Comparative effects of exogenous lactase beta-galactosidase in preparations on in vivo lactose digestion.

Dig Dis Sci. Edakkanambeth Varayil J, Bauer BA, Hurt RT. Over-the-counter enzyme supplements: what a clinician needs to know. Mayo Clinic Proc;89 9 doi: Majeed M, Majeed S, Nagabhushanam K, et al. Evaluation of the Safety and Efficacy of a Multienzyme Complex in Patients with Functional Dyspepsia: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.

J Med Food. Use limited data to select advertising. Create profiles for personalised advertising. Use profiles to select personalised advertising. Create profiles to personalise content. Use profiles to select personalised content.

Measure advertising performance. Measure content performance. Understand audiences through statistics or combinations of data from different sources. Develop and improve services. Use limited data to select content. List of Partners vendors. By Suzie Finkel MS RD CDN.

Medically reviewed by Jonathan Purtell, RDN. Fact checked by Autumn Rauchwerk, MS, RDN, E-RYT. Editor's Note Our team of registered dietitians reviews and evaluates every single supplement we recommend according to our dietary supplement methodology.

Our Top Picks. Best Overall:. Best for Fructose Intolerance:. Best for Histamine Intolerance:. Best for Lactose Intolerance:. Best for Gas from Vegetables:. Best for Chronic Indigestion:. In This Article Expand.

Our Picks. Will You Benefit from a Digestive Enzyme Supplement? Who May Not Benefit from Over-the-Counter Digestive Enzymes. How We Select Supplements. What to Look For. Digestive Enzymes We Do Not Recommend. Tips for Using Digestive Enzymes Effectively.

Why Trust Verywell Health. Best Overall. Microbiome Labs FODMATE Digestive Enzymes. Pros For low-FODMAP diet, IBS, active SIBO Broad spectrum for multiple intolerances Convenient capsule form.

Cons Less widely available More expensive. Best for Fructose Intolerance. Fructaid Enzyme Supplement. Pros For fructose intolerance associated with IBS and active SIBO Can be taken as a pill or mixed into liquid Adjustable dosage based on amount of fructose intake.

Cons More expensive Not appropriate for Hereditary Fructose Intolerance HFI. Best for Histamine Intolerance. Seeking Health Histamine Block. Pros Can help avoid large dietary restriction Convenient capsule form For histamine intolerance, histamine-blocking medications, MCAS, some cases of SIBO.

Cons More expensive May not fully alleviate symptoms. Best for Lactose Intolerance. Kirkland Fast-Acting Lactase Enzyme. Discover what you can do to support these functions. Learn More. SmartEdit mode only: InfoBlock Container 'Content: Weight Management'.

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Registered Supporg approved Supoprt to help improve symptoms in those with digestive Digestive enzyme support deficiencies. We independently evaluate all Self-care initiatives in diabetes management products and services. If you click on enzme we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. The human body naturally produces digestive enzymes to break down food molecules into smaller, easily digestible substances. Many people's bodies generate all the enzymes needed for digestion. However, if you have an enzyme deficiency, you may have trouble breaking down certain foods and experience uncomfortable symptoms like bloating, gas, and diarrhea.