There was a time when many people kept digestive issues under wraps. There are increasing numbers of people who suffer from digestive problems, including bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and more. NIH estimates that between 60 and 70 million Americans suffer from digestive diseases.
It’s not surprising that digestive enzymes are gaining popularity. Supplements such as these help the body break down food, but traditionally they were used by people with specific health conditions. Is it worth looking into digestive enzymes? Here are some things you should know.
Image Credit: Shutterstock/Orawan Pattarawimonchai
How Do Digestive Enzymes Work?
Deborah Cohen, associate professor of nutrition, explains that digestive enzymes break down macronutrients into smaller components to help them be absorbed into your bloodstream.
Your body doesn’t secrete digestive enzymes properly. Cohen says, “The lack of digestive enzymes leads to inadequate digestion and food intolerances.”
Digestive Enzymes And Their Types
The digestive system produces five main enzymes, each performing a different function. They include:
- Amylase: Amylase is an enzyme that breaks down carbs.
- Lactase: Lactose, a sugar in milk, is broken down by this enzyme.
- Lipase: This enzyme helps break down fat in your digestive tract.
- Protease: This enzyme breaks down proteins.
- Sucrase: This enzyme breaks down sucrose, a sugar naturally found in fruits and nuts.
Image Credit: Shutterstock/Emily frost
Is It Possible To Find Digestive Enzymes In Foods?
There are digestive enzymes in some foods. Cohen says papaya contains papain, a protease. Figs contain ficin, a protease, and pineapple contains bromelain, a protease.
Supplements work differently than these foods. Cohen says, “Since enzymes are proteins, they are themselves, broken down by hydrochloric acid in the stomach, thus rendering them inactive.”
Who Needs Digestive Enzymes?
A healthy body shouldn’t require digestive enzyme supplements, says Dr. Farhadi. He says, “The pancreas is a good reservoir for enzymes.”
Some health conditions may benefit from taking digestive enzymes. Those include:
- A person suffering from lactose intolerance
- Deficiency of exocrine hormones
- Surgical procedures associated with bariatrics
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBS)
It’s best to talk to your doctor before taking digestive enzymes. Most likely, you have some digestive symptoms that need to be evaluated, and then you can figure out what treatment is best for you.