Digestive enzyme supplements
Understand what digestive enzymes do and why the reason for digestive symptoms matters before choosing a supplement.
What it does
Digestive enzymes break food into smaller parts your body can absorb. Your body normally makes them. Different enzymes work on different foods: lactase breaks down lactose, the sugar in milk, while lipase helps digest fat.
When it may help
A specific enzyme, such as lactase, can help when someone has difficulty digesting its matching food component. People with diagnosed pancreatic enzyme deficiency may need prescription treatment.
What to keep in mind
Most healthy adults do not need an enzyme supplement. A broad enzyme blend is not proven to treat every cause of gas, bloating or indigestion, and it is not a substitute for prescribed pancreatic enzymes.
How this relates to energy
Digestion makes nutrients available to the body, but taking extra enzymes does not necessarily improve absorption or energy when digestion is normal.
Tiredness with ongoing diarrhea, oily stools or unexplained weight loss deserves medical assessment. An over-the-counter blend should not be used to conceal a problem absorbing food.
Read more: Digestive enzymes — Johns Hopkins Medicine
What to look for
An enzyme that fits the problem
The enzyme name matters more than how many enzymes appear in a blend.
Activity on the label
Enzyme activity units describe how much digestive work an enzyme can do under test conditions. Blend weight in milligrams alone does not explain that.
Allergens and directions
Enzymes may come from plants or microorganisms, and formulas can contain food allergens. Read when they should be taken with a meal.
Independent quality testing
Look for independent quality testing, such as NSF or USP verification. It checks aspects of product quality, not whether you will benefit.
Food intolerance is not food allergy
An enzyme does not make an allergenic food safe. Lactase may help digest lactose, but it does not prevent a reaction to milk protein. Enzyme blends are not a way to safely eat gluten with celiac disease.
Before taking it
Get advice for persistent or worsening digestive symptoms before adding a blend.
Check with a clinician about medicines, pregnancy, breastfeeding and allergies to the enzyme sources.
Further reading
These sources provide general education. They do not endorse the product below.
Optional product recommendation
Recommended by Dr. Brittany Snustad
Dr. Brittany Snustad recommends Nutrilite Digestive Enzyme. Whether it is appropriate for you depends on your needs, medicines and other supplements.
Nutrilite™ Digestive Enzyme
Digestive enzyme capsules
90 capsules · supply depends on use
Item A8903
What it contains
- Enzymes including bromelain, protease, amylase, lactase and lipase.
- The label lists a 302 mg enzyme blend and individual enzyme activity amounts. Read the complete panel before comparing products.
Where this product fits
Digestive Enzyme is an optional blend to consider for a specific digestive need. It is not a general energy supplement or a substitute for investigating persistent symptoms.
How it is taken
Label directions: take one capsule with water at the start of a meal as needed. For a large meal or one unusually high in fat or protein, the label allows a second capsule at the end.
Before ordering
- Contains ingredients sourced from milk, soy and wheat. Contains enzymes produced using molds, including Aspergillus, and bromelain from pineapple.
- Ask your clinician before use with allergies to these ingredients, molds or enzymes.
- Ask your clinician or pharmacist before use if you take medicines, have a medical condition, are pregnant or are breastfeeding. Ask a physician before use in children under 12.
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If you prefer another brand, we recommend looking for a product with comparable ingredients, amounts and 3rd party testing.
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