It’s worth asking whether Are Digestive Enzymes Required and What Are They, given that digestive enzymes have gained popularity in recent years for their ability to assist the body in breaking down food. While these supplements are primarily intended for individuals with particular health conditions, it’s no secret that digestive issues such as bloating, constipation, and diarrhea affect numerous individuals, with between 60 and 70 million Americans experiencing digestive disorders, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). To better understand the importance of digestive enzymes and whether or not you should investigate them, read on for more information.
What exactly are digestive enzymes and how do they function?
Deborah Cohen, D.C.N., R.D.N., associate professor in the department of clinical and preventive nutrition sciences at Rutgers University, explains, “Are Digestive Enzymes Required and What Are They? Digestive enzymes are proteins that break down macronutrients like carbohydrates, proteins, and fats into smaller components to help them be absorbed from your small intestine into your bloodstream.”
According to Jessica Cording, R.D., author of The Little Book of Game-Changers, “Digestive enzymes are secreted by a few different parts of your body, including your mouth via your saliva.” However, according to Ashkan Farhadi, M.D., a gastroenterologist at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California, your pancreas is the body’s primary producer of essential digestive enzymes.
The issue arises when your body fails to properly secrete digestive enzymes. According to Cohen, inadequate digestion results from inadequate secretion of digestive enzymes, which may result in food intolerances.
There are over-the-counter digestive enzyme supplements that you can purchase online and prescription digestive enzymes that doctors may prescribe for certain health conditions (more on that in a moment).
digestive enzymes of various kinds
Your body produces five primary digestive enzymes, each of which performs a distinct function. They consist of:
- Amylase: According to Cohen, amylase is an enzyme that breaks down or digests carbohydrates.
- Lactase: According to Cording, this digestive enzyme breaks down lactose, a milk sugar.
- Lipase: Cohen asserts that lipase aids in the digestion of lipids, or fats, in the GI tract.
- Protease: According to Cording, protease aids in protein synthesis.
- Sucrase: According to Cording, sucrose, a naturally occurring sugar found in fruits and nuts, is the primary target of sucrose.
Do any foods contain digestive enzymes?
Digestive enzymes are contained in some foods. According to Cohen, papaya contains papain, a type of protease, figs contain ficin, another protease, and pineapple contains bromelain, another protease.
Avocado, kiwi, and mango are additional foods that contain digestive enzymes, according to Cording.
However, these foods and their digestive enzymes perform somewhat differently than supplements. Because enzymes are proteins, they are rendered inactive by hydrochloric acid in the stomach, according to Cohen. This means that even though these foods might contain enzymes for digestion, your stomach will break them down before they can help you.
According to Cohen, “enzyme supplements, on the other hand, are enteric-coated pills that are designed for slow release.” This makes it more likely that the pills won’t be broken down in the stomach. She claims that this makes it possible for supplements to enter your small intestine, where they can actually aid in digestion.
What is the aim of digestive enzymes?
According to Dr. Farhadi, you shouldn’t need digestive enzyme supplements if your body is functioning properly. He says that the pancreas is a good place to store enzymes.
However, taking digestive enzymes may be beneficial for some people who suffer from particular health conditions. These are some:
- intolerance to lactose Cohen asserts that “those who are unable to digest lactose, which is the primary carbohydrate in milk and milk products” can benefit from the use of particular enzymes. However, she asserts, “being lactose intolerant does not necessarily mean one must take digestive enzymes” because “there are so many options for “milk,” such as plant milks and vegan cheeses.”
- a lack of exocrine function. The Cleveland Clinic says that this condition occurs when your pancreas doesn’t make enough digestive enzymes or when those enzymes don’t work well. Taking digestive enzyme supplements can make sure your body gets the nutrients it needs. Exocrine insufficiency can affect people with chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, and pancreatic cancer.
- According to Cohen, certain forms of bariatric surgery include gastric bypass but not lap band or sleeve gastrectomy.
- inflammatory bowel disease, or IBS. According to Cording, taking digestive enzymes may be beneficial for those with these conditions.
Dr. Farhadi states, “Some people have seen benefits of taking supplemental enzymes with indigestion,” but he emphasizes that there is insufficient evidence to support this claim.
Consult your doctor first if you’re thinking about taking digestive enzymes. You probably have some digestive problem that needs to be looked at. From there, you can make a treatment plan that works for you.
However, Cording asserts that, in general, “the average person who is not experiencing any GI symptoms does not need to be seeking out digestive enzymes.”