What are the best digestive enzymes?

Digestive Enzymes: What Are They and How Do They Work?

Digestive enzymes are a necessary component of your digestive system. Without them, your body is unable to break down foods in a way that allows nutrients to be properly absorbed. Digestive enzyme deficiency can cause a range of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. Even if you eat a healthy diet, it can make you malnourished. Continue reading to learn more about digestive enzymes, how they work, and what to do if you don't have enough.

What are digestive enzymes, and what do they do?

The digestive system, which includes the mouth, stomach, and small intestine, produces enzymes. The pancreas is responsible for the majority of the work.

Digestive enzymes aid in the digestion of carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins. This is important in order for nutrients to be absorbed and for maximum health to be maintained. The nutrients in your diet would be wasted if you didn't have these enzymes. Digestive enzyme synthesis might be hampered by a variety of health problems.

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency occurs when a lack of digestive enzymes causes poor digestion and malnutrition (EPI). When this happens, you can supplement your diet with digestive enzymes before meals to help your body process food more efficiently. Some digestive enzymes are available only with a doctor's prescription, while others are available over-the-counter (OTC).

What are the functions of digestive enzymes?

The ability of your body to break down foods and absorb nutrients is harmed when the pancreas does not naturally generate digestive enzymes. Malnutrition, as well as symptoms such as bloating, cramping, gassiness, and diarrhea, might result.

Natural digestive enzymes are replaced with replacement digestive enzymes, which aid in the breakdown of carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins in the foods you eat. The nutrients are then absorbed into your body through the small intestine wall and transported throughout your body via the bloodstream. As a result, digestive enzyme replacements can aid in the prevention of malabsorption and accompanying digestive discomforts.

As a result, digestive enzyme replacements can aid in the prevention of malabsorption and accompanying digestive discomforts.

What Are Enzymes?

Firstly, you should know that the story of digesting food is a story of chemically breaking things apart into tiny pieces and then absorbing them. This happens at a micro scale.2

Enzymes help break down food, join proteins together, activate compounds or deactivate harmful chemicals. There are tens of thousands of types enzymes all throughout your body, all having very different roles.1

In essence, enzymes are catalysts. They make chemical reactions happen much faster. Sometimes, without enzymes, reactions wouldn’t happen at all. They are essential to life and digestion.3

What are the units next to the enzymes on the label?

Since enzymes don’t provide energy and aren’t nutrients per se, they’re not measured by calories or weight. Instead, they’re measured by their activity. And since most enzymes are very different in how they act, they often have unique measurements. You can see these on the Digestive Enzymes label.

The activity measurement units are defined in the US by the ‘Food Chemical Codex’. Each measurement is relevant to a particular component of food; like starch (DU), lipid (FIP) or protein (HUT).

Digestive enzymes come in a variety of forms.

The following are the most common enzymes:

Amylase. Carbohydrates, often known as starches, are broken down into sugar molecules by this enzyme. Diarrhea can be caused by a lack of amylase.

Lipase. This breaks down lipids in conjunction with liver bile. Lipase deficiency causes a deficiency in fat-soluble vitamins such as A, D, E, and K.

Protease. Proteins are broken down into amino acids by this enzyme. It also aids in the elimination of bacteria, yeast, and protozoa from the intestines. A lack of protease in the intestines can cause allergies or poisoning.

Replacement enzyme drugs and supplements are available in a variety of formats, each with its own set of components and quantities.

Only by prescription is pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) accessible. Pig pancreases are commonly used to make these drugs. They must be approved and regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Pancrelipase, which is made up of amylase, lipase, and protease, is found in several prescription enzymes. The majority of these medications are coated to prevent stomach acids from digesting them before they reach the intestines.

Dosage is determined by a person's weight and eating habits. Your doctor will want to start you on the smallest dose possible and gradually increase it as needed.

Enzyme supplements are sold over-the-counter (OTC) everywhere nutritional supplements are marketed, including online. Animal pancreases or plants like as molds, yeasts, fungus, or fruit can be used to make them.

Because OTC digestive enzymes aren't categorized as pharmaceuticals, they don't need FDA permission to be sold. These items' ingredients and doses may vary from batch to batch.

Enzyme sources found in nature

Digestive enzymes can be found in a variety of foods, including:

avocados
bananas
ginger
honey
kefir
kiwi
mangos
papayas
pineapples
sauerkraut

Some of these foods can help with digestion if you include them to your diet.

Who needs digestive enzymes?
If you have EPI, you may require digestive enzymes. Other disorders that can cause a deficiency in digestive enzymes include:
chronic pancreatitis pancreatic cysts or benign tumors pancreatic or biliary duct blockage or constriction pancreatic cancer
surgery on the pancreas
Diabetes and cystic fibrosis
Digestion can be slow and unpleasant if you have EPI. It can also cause malnutrition. Among the signs and symptoms are:
bloating
excessive gas
cramping after meals
diarrhea
yellow, greasy stools that float
foul-smelling stools
weight loss even if you’re eating well
You may have problems digesting some foods even if you don't have EPI. Lactose intolerance is an excellent example. Lactase supplements, which are available over the counter, can aid in the digestion of lactose-containing foods.
If you have difficulties digesting beans, an alpha-galactosidase supplement might help.
Negative effects
Constipation is the most prevalent side effect of replacement digestive enzymes. Other symptoms that are less common include:
nausea
abdominal cramps
diarrhea
If you think you're having an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away.

The digestive system's environment need a delicate equilibrium. If your small intestine environment is overly acidic owing to a lack of bicarbonate, replacement digestive enzymes may not perform adequately. Another problem could be that you're not taking the correct enzyme dose or ratio.
Because certain medications and supplements can interfere with digestive enzymes, it's critical to inform your doctor about any medications or supplements you're using.
Consult your doctor if you're taking enzymes and experiencing issues.
When should you see a doctor?
If you're having frequent or persistent stomach issues, or if you're showing signs of EPI, visit your doctor right away. You might not be getting all of the nutrients you require to stay healthy.
There are a variety of gastrointestinal illnesses that could be causing your symptoms. Trying to guess which enzymes you require and in what dosage can be problematic. For these reasons, it's critical to acquire a diagnosis and talk to your doctor about your alternatives.
If you need digestive enzyme replacement, talk to your doctor about the benefits and drawbacks of prescription versus over-the-counter treatments.
The Resault...
Digestive enzymes are necessary for proper nutrition and wellbeing. They aid in the absorption of nutrients from the foods you eat. Certain foods might cause unpleasant symptoms, food intolerances, and nutritional deficiencies if they aren't consumed with them.
Enzyme deficiency can be caused by a variety of GI problems, but enzyme replacement therapy may be a viable treatment option.
Discuss your GI problems, possible reasons, and whether digestive enzyme replacement is an appropriate option for you with your doctor.

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