Every time we sit down to eat, our bodies begin the process of changing food into nutrients we can use for energy, repair, and growth. Digestive enzymes are at the center of this process. Residing in the gut, digestive enzymes are vital proteins that work to support digestive health, provide your body with nutrients, and even support a healthy immune system. Here, we'll explore more about digestive enzymes, including how they function, why they're so important for your overall health, and whether it makes more sense to get your digestive enzymes from food or from supplements.
What are digestive enzymes?
Simply put, enzymes are proteins that facilitate chemical reactions. Digestive enzymes are proteins that help the digestive system break down food to give the body energy. These proteins are released at multiple places as food travels through the body. Made by the mouth, stomach, small intestine, and pancreas, digestive enzymes work to break down fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. While the body primarily makes its own digestive enzymes, some can be found in foods, like pineapple, papaya, and fermented foods (like kimchi and sauerkraut).
Most people's bodies make plenty of enzymes for healthy digestion. Certain conditions like cystic fibrosis, pancreatic cancer, gastrointestinal issues, and chronic pancreatitis can inhibit the body's ability to create digestive enzymes. People who have these health conditions may need to take digestive enzyme supplements to support healthy digestion. Many people find they respond well to over-the-counter digestive enzymes, while others require prescription digestive enzyme replacement therapy known as pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy, or PERT.
The body releases a number of digestive enzymes throughout the digestive process, including:
- Amylase: This enzyme is vital for digesting carbohydrates, as it breaks starches down to sugars.
- Maltase: This enzyme converts malt sugar into glucose, which can be used immediately or stored in the liver for use at another time.
- Lactase: If you're lactose intolerant, your body likely does not produce enough lactase. This enzyme breaks down lactose, a simple sugar found in milk.
- Lipase: This enzyme helps to break down fatty acids (like those found in fish).
- Proteases: This group of digestive enzymes works to break protein down into amino acids, and supports immune function, blood clotting, cell division, and more.
- Sucrase: This enzyme converts sucrose into fructose and glucose, which are easier for the body to absorb and use for quick energy.
How do digestive enzymes function?
When you eat, digestion begins immediately. As you chew, a digestive enzyme in saliva—amylase—begins to break starches in your food down into simple sugars, providing the body with a quick source of energy as your food continues to move through your digestive system.
After you swallow your food, protease enzymes in the stomach begin to break down protein. Food then moves into the small intestine, where it encounters digestive enzymes released by the pancreas, including lipase, amylase, and more protease. These enzymes work together to further break down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Lactase is also released in the small intestine. These nutrients are then absorbed into the bloodstream through the lining of the small intestine, where they're used as energy throughout the body.
Signs that you may have a digestive enzyme insufficiency
As we mentioned, certain health issues—especially issues that affect the pancreas—can make it harder for your body to make enough digestive enzymes to properly support the digestive process.
Signs of digestive enzyme insufficiency can include:
- Unexplained weight loss
- Oily bowel movements
- Constipation
- Unexplained, ongoing abdominal pain or cramping
- Bloating
- Diarrhea
- Persistent gas
If you notice that you have these symptoms continually, it's a good idea to talk with your doctor. While some of these symptoms could simply be signs you need to make some dietary changes, they could also be indicative of a serious health condition, like diverticulitis or pancreatic problems. Left untreated, digestive enzyme insufficiency can result in serious health problems, including malnutrition.
Supplements vs. food: what's the best choice?
There's little research to suggest the digestive enzymes contained in certain foods (like pineapples and avocados) do much to aid digestion. Instead of trying to load up on enzyme-rich foods, it's a better idea to cut processed foods from your diet and add in fiber-rich fruits and vegetables to support healthy digestion.
If you're experiencing symptoms of a digestive enzyme deficiency and believe you may need digestive enzyme supplementation, talk with your doctor. Some simple digestive enzyme issues (like lactose intolerance) are easily treated with over-the-counter digestive enzymes. Your doctor can help to guide you in the right direction if you need additional enzymes, or can recommend further testing to rule out serious digestive issues.
Are digestive enzymes and probiotics the same thing?
While both are important for digestion, digestive enzymes and probiotics are not the same thing. Digestive enzymes are proteins that facilitate chemical reactions that allow the body to get energy, while probiotics are live microorganisms that live in the gut and help to maintain a healthy balance of bacteria throughout the digestive system. You can (and should!) eat foods rich in probiotics (like yogurt and kefir) to support a healthy digestive system.
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