The technology to supplement digestive enzymes with meals has been around for several decades. Digestive enzyme supplements are designed to mimic and assist with the body’s production of digestive enzymes, especially those of the pancreas. In terms of leaky gut, the better we break down and digest our food, the less irritation that is caused in the small intestine lining. Nutrients can be absorbed better and the body becomes healthier, including the small intestine. In terms of research, Nutrients reported that leaky gut contributes to undigested food fragments, which may act as pro-inflammatory agents that cause immune system dysfunction as they enter the blood circulation of the body.26 Therefore, you can see the importance of not only eating healthy but also having proper digestion of food.
There are different types of digestive enzymes. Prescription digestive enzymes are known as exogenous pancreatic enzymes. These types of enzymes are normally prescribed by doctors in a limited number of conditions, such as exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (a condition characterized by fat in the stool, weight loss, pancreatic inflammation, and elevated blood pancreatic enzymes). These prescription enzymes are normally derived from pork or beef sources. There are also over-the-counter supplements available that contain pancreatic enzymes. There can be problems with the survivability of pancreatic enzymes in low-pH stomach acid. However, enteric-coated tablets (i.e., those with a coating that protects against stomach acid and allows substances to stay intact until they reach the small intestine) have been shown to work well.
A second category of enzymes are plant enzymes, which include bromelain taken from pineapple and papain from papaya. These enzymes aid in the digestion of protein.
Many doctors like myself use microbial-derived enzymes. These enzymes are generally produced from the fermentation of fungus. For example, fungi such as Aspergillus oryzae and Aspergillus niger are grown on wheat or rice bran and also given other substances that encourage enzyme activity. Once this occurs, the enzymes go through laboratory purification and then are dried, concentrated, and standardized for their activity (potency). These types of enzymes can be used in formulas to not only break down fats, carbohydrates, and proteins but also for specialty uses such as breaking down gluten (people with celiac disease still need to avoid gluten), sugar, plant fiber, lactose, and other compounds.
A study published in Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience revealed the benefit of supplemental enzymes. The double-blind, randomized clinical trial involved 101 children with autism spectrum disorder who were given either digestive enzymes or a placebo. Researchers found that the group receiving the supplemental enzyme therapy for three months showed significant improvement in several categories of testing, including emotional response, general impression autistic score, general behavior, and digestive symptoms.
Research has shown that the stool level of enzymes, known as fecal elastase, are low in people with irritable bowel syndrome–diarrhea type (IBS-D). According to the Journal of Digestive Diseases, the use of digestive enzyme supplementation was effective for post-meal diarrhea associated with IBS-D. In addition, other studies have shown digestive enzymes improve other symptoms, including abdominal distention, belching, diarrhea, abdominal pain, epigastric burning, flatulence, bloating, belching, a feeling of fullness, and loss of appetite.
Enzymes are quite safe to use. High protein–activity enzymes should be used with caution for those with active ulcers. The typical recommendation is one to two capsules or tablets taken with regular meals to aid digestion. Our Digestive Wellness is one of our most popular supplements and works to break down a variety of different foods, including protein, fats, carbohydrates, fiber, lactose, gluten, and others.
Adapted with permission from Dr. Stengler’s bestselling book The Holistic Guide To Gut Health (Hay House Publishing)
