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We need digestive enzymes to completely break down food, which improves digestion and nutrient absorption.
But as we age, our bodies produce fewer digestive enzymes, which can lead to uncomfortable gastrointestinal symptoms and the need for supplements.
If youโre in the market for a digestive enzyme that supports a variety of food breakdown, from beans to Brie to brussels sprouts, keep reading for our top six picks and why we chose them.
Enzymedica Digest Gold with ATPro
Description
Combining 13 digestive enzymes and an energy-boosting blend of compounds with a proprietary technology to survive varying pHs in the GI tract, this supplement supports a wide variety of food breakdown.
Proprietary technology works in all pHs of the GI tract; Potent enzyme formula to break down all types of carbohydrates, fats, fiber, and protein; Contains ingredients to boost energy and improve nutrient absorption
High doses of 13 digestive enzymes; Energy blend of ATP, magnesium citrate, and CoQ10
Best for: People needing the maximum amount of digestive support for a wide range of foods.
As our best overall digestive enzyme supplement, Enzymedica Digest Gold with ATPro contains 13 digestive enzymes and a blend of compounds including ATP and coenzyme Q10 to boost energy and facilitate digestion and nutrient absorption.
Enzymedica uses a proprietary Thera-blendโข technology that enables the enzymes to function throughout the varying pHs of the digestive tract.
The vast quantity of digestive enzymes in this supplement facilitates the breakdown of all foods, including fiber, carbohydrates, cruciferous vegetables, beans, protein, fat, and dairy products.
Uniquely, this supplement contains cellular energy in the form of the ATP, which can help cells better absorb nutrients.
It also has coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)โas a coenzyme, CoQ10 helps other enzymes (like these 13 digestive enzymes) work better in the body.
Best Gut-Supporting Formula: Ancient Nutrition Digestive Enzymes
Pros
Contains prebiotics, probiotics, digestive enzymes, and fermented botanicals and functional mushrooms
Supports gut health from multiple anglesโnot just food breakdown
Best for: People able to spend extra money on a high-strength supplement to heal their digestive issues.
With a combination of digestive enzymes, prebiotics, probiotics, and functional ingredients, Ancient Nutrition Digestive Enzymes are an expertly formulated supplement to target gut issues from all angles.
As opposed to other supplements, which just use digestive enzymes, Ancient Nutrition blends over a dozen compounds to facilitate digestion and reduce gas, bloating, and constipation.
The primary digestive enzymes in this supplement are cellulase to break down fibers, protease to break down protein, lipase to digest fat, lactase for dairy, and amylase for starchy carbohydrates.
It also contains natural plant enzymes, like bromelainโderived from pineappleโand kiwifruit, which has a protease (enzyme for protein breakdown) called actinidain.
Plus, this supplement has the benefit of 2 billion CFUs of probiotics, prebiotic fiber from flax seed, and a functional botanical and mushroom blendโfermented turkey tail mushroom, ginger, turmeric, and black pepperโmaking it one of the best digestive enzymes for bloating.
Best on a Budget: NOW Super Enzymes
Pros
Highly affordable option
Large quantity of capsules per bottle
Cons
Does not contain lactase to help with dairy breakdown
Best for: People on a budget needing help with food breakdown other than dairy.
NOW Super Enzymes are formulated with bromelain, ox bile, pancreatin, and papainโan enzyme derived from papayaโto optimize the breakdown of fats, carbohydrates, and protein.
Specifically, ox bile helps with fat breakdown, while pancreatin is a mixture of pancreatic enzymes that digest all three macronutrients.
However, this supplement doesnโt contain lactase to help digest dairy, which many people require enzymes for.
Best for Digesting Fatty Foods: Hi-Health Digestive Enzyme Complex
Pros
Comprehensive digestive enzyme formula
Adsorptive diatomaceous earth ingredient helps with constipation
Ox bile and pancreatic enzymes help with fat breakdown
Cons
Affordable option
Does not contain lactase to help with dairy breakdown
Best for: People who have trouble digesting high-fat meals.
The Hi-Health Digestive Enzyme Complex is great for people who struggle with the digestion of fatty foods, like steak, heavy cream, bacon, and oils.
This is because the ox bile extract, lipase, and duodenum substance (enzymes released from the duodenum in the small intestine) facilitate fat breakdown.
Uniquely, this Hi-Health supplement contains adsorptive diatomaceous earth, which is a source of the mineral silica and thought to relieve constipation.
However, while itโs great for breaking down the fat in dairy, this supplement wonโt help if you have an intolerance to lactoseโthe main sugar in the dairyโbecause it doesnโt have lactase.
Best Natural Ingredients: Solaray Super Digestaway
Pros
Contains 4x the typical amount of pancreatic enzymes
Best for: People who like taking supplements with natural plant-based ingredients.
Solaray Super Digestaway contains several plant enzymes, making this a good option for people wanting more natural supplements.
In addition to providing four times the typical amount of pancreatic enzymes, Solaray Super Digestaway contains the enzymes papain from papaya and bromelain from pineapple, plus peppermint and ginger to alleviate bloating and aloe vera gel to soothe the gut.
Plus, this supplement uniquely offers porcine bile powder, an ingredient sometimes used in traditional Chinese medicine practices that is thought to facilitate fat digestion and liver function.
However, the enzymes in this supplement are mostly primed for protein, fat, and simple carbohydrate breakdownโnot dairy or fibrous carbohydrates like beans or cruciferous vegetables.
Best for Immune and Digestive Support: Kyolic Cleanse & Digestion
Pros
Garlic extract supports immune function
Helps break down fat, protein, and certain carbohydrates
It also provides ginger and the enzymes lipase, protease, and glucanase to digest beta-glucans in grains like wheat, oats, and rye.
Although this supplement doesnโt contain as many digestive enzymes as others, it can be helpful for people with minor digestive problems who donโt need large or diverse quantities of enzymes.
What Are Digestive Enzymes?
Enzymes are proteins that help speed up a reaction in the bodyโin the case of digestive enzymes, these proteins help facilitate the breakdown of food into smaller building blocks that our cells can use.
There are dozens of enzymes that are involved with food breakdown, but the three primary digestive enzyme families include:
Amylase: Breaks down starchy carbohydrates into single sugars like glucose.
Protease: Breaks down protein into amino acids.
Lipase: Breaks down fats into fatty acids and glycerol molecules.
However, there are dozens of other enzymes that we can supplement with to help us break down and absorb foods, many of which were found in the supplements above.
Some examples include:
Digestive Enzyme
What Does It Break Down?
Bromelain
Found naturally in pineapple and helps break down protein.
Papain
Found naturally in papaya and helps break down protein.
Cellulase and hemicellulase
Plant fibers and cell walls, like those in fruits and vegetables.
Phytase
Phytates, which are the primary form of phosphorus found in plants like beans, grains, and nuts.
Pectinase
Pectin, which is found in the cell walls of plants like apples, citrus fruits, carrots, and apricots.
Invertase
Breaks down sucrose (table sugar) into smaller sugars (glucose and fructose).
Beta-glucanase
Breaks down beta-glucan fibers found in grains like oats and barley.
Alpha-galactosidase
For the carbohydrates found in beans and legumes.
Lactase
Breaks down dairy sugars (lactose).
FAQs About Digestive Enzymes
What Is the Most Effective Digestive Enzyme?
The most effective digestive enzyme supplement will depend on what your body has trouble digesting.
For all-around enzymatic support, try Enzymedica Digest Gold with ATPro, which has 13 digestive enzymes to target all types of food breakdown.
If you only have issues digesting single foods, like dairy or beans, you can look for single-enzyme supplements rather than broad-spectrum ones.
How Do I Choose the Best Digestive Enzymes?
The best digestive enzyme will depend on what foods you are unable to digest properly.
If youโre not sure which foods make you feel bloated or uncomfortable, try a broad-spectrum digestive enzyme supplement, like any on this list.
Is It Better to Take Probiotics or Digestive Enzymes?
Itโs best to take both probiotics (both men– and women-specific) and digestive enzymes because they have different actions in the body.
Digestive enzymes facilitate food breakdown and absorption, while probiotics populate the microbiome and help with all aspects of gut health.
Is There a Downside to Taking Digestive Enzymes?
Itโs possible to take too many digestive enzymesโespecially if you donโt really need them.
If you take too many, you can actually trigger the symptoms you’re wanting to avoid, such as nausea, bloating, diarrhea, or cramping.
To avoid this, start off with the lowest dosage possible and increase as needed.
How Do You Know If You Are Lacking Digestive Enzymes?
It can be difficult to tell if youโre lacking digestive enzymes, but some symptoms include:
– Digestive issuesโespecially bloating, heartburn, feelings of indigestion, gas, burping, cramping, or seeing undigested food in your stool – Poor nutrient absorption – Weaker immune system – Fatigue or feeling malnourished – Skin problems like acne
We also tend to produce fewer digestive enzymes naturally as we age, so you may have more trouble digesting the same food you ate when you were younger.
Should I Take Digestive Enzymes Every Time I Eat?
It depends.
If you typically eat large meals that you know you have trouble digesting, then the answer is yesโtake digestive enzymes just before your meal.
However, if youโre having small snacks or eating meals that your body previously has done well with digesting properly, you probably donโt need them at every single meal.
For more information about when to take digestive enzymes, check out this article.
Key Takeaways
We need enzymes to completely break down food, which improves digestion, nutrient absorption, and reduces uncomfortable GI symptoms.
If you have specific digestion concernsโlike dairy or beansโlook for single enzyme supplements; otherwise, broad-spectrum digestive enzymes can be beneficial.
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