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Can Enzymes Help Relieve Your Digestion Problems?
What enzymes are found in supplements?
Among the enzymes that can make up supplements we can find:
- natural enzymes which are present in the human body such as amylase, lipases, peptidases (including trypsin and pepsin) and lactase, each of which has its own role as seen above. They can therefore be helpful for those whose body does not produce enough.
- enzymes that are not produced by the body. These include:
- Alpha-galactosidase which helps to break down certain oligosaccharides including galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) which are present in legumes, some whole grains and also some vegetables, such as squash. GOS are sugars that are not digestible by humans and, as a result, are found intact in the large intestine and can cause digestive discomfort, gas, and bloating. Among the easy-to-find products on the shelves we often see one in particular calledBeano®.
- Xylose Isomerase which helps those who suffer from malabsorption or intolerance of fructose. It aims to improve the absorption of fructose by breaking it down into glucose. We are most familiar with the Fructaid® products.
Enzyme supplements, are they a solution to your stomach aches?
Before consuming enzymes, it is important to know the cause(s) of your digestive discomfort in order to determine if taking an enzyme will be useful and, if so, it will be necessary to define the enzyme(s) most appropriate to your personal situation.
In effect, enzyme supplements may be necessary when suffering from a particular pathology as is the case of people with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (IPE) who must take pancrelipase at each meal in order to provide the body with the enzymes required to break down fats and proteins.
They may also be necessary for those who suffer from food intolerance such as fructose or lactose intolerance. Note that lactase supplementation does not always remove 100% of the lactose from the foods so if you suffer from a high sensitivity to lactose, it would be better to avoid products containing lactose altogether or to choose products labeled as “lactose-free”.
Many people, because they experience digestive disorders, decide to take supplemental enzymes. Be wary of this practice because it could be that, in addition to not helping regulate the source of your pain, it can also make the intestine lazy.
In addition, the digestive enzymes formulas differ greatly in terms of the types of enzymes they contain, as well as their source and dosage. This is why it is good to investigate the causes of your pain with your doctor and dietician before opting for a product, as they can help you to evaluate its usefulness, as well as to find which enzymes are best adapted to your situation.
Note that to be effective, enzymes must be taken just before consuming a food containing the elements you do not digest. To make sure you are using them in the right way refer to the dosage written on the supplement box. In addition, an enzymes’ effectiveness does not extend beyond the time it is taken. It is therefore necessary to take it whenever you want to consume a food that is not tolerated. On the other hand, it is useless to consume it for a meal that does not contain the poorly digested elements.
Author
Jennifer is a Registered Dietitian graduated from the University of Montreal in December 2018 and is a member of the Ordre professionnel des diététistes du Québec (OPDQ). She believes that the quality of our food choices has a direct impact on our health and energy level. Her goal? To help people improve the quality of what they put in their plates, for their better well-being and greater pleasure.
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