How can digestive enzymes help

Berry, so people with conditions like irritable bowel syndrome IBS , inflammatory bowel disease , or low stomach acid might find digestive enzyme supplements helpful. Same goes for people who have chronic pancreatitis, which can cause a deficiency of pancreatic enzymes. The over-the-counter digestive enzyme supplements on the market are modeled around the three primary categories of digestive enzymes that are created naturally within the body protein-, fat- and carb-specific , says Nazir Khaja, MD, California-based gastroenterologist and clinical associate professor at UCLA School of Medicine.

Two of the more well-known examples are lactase for digesting lactose found in dairy products , and alpha-galactosidase supplements for sugars found in cruciferous veggies and legumes. The one scenario where your body would become reliant on an enzyme supplement is if a legit deficiency is present, making the supplement necessary for proper digestive function.

Reading the label is everything, says Dr. Anytime you're shopping for a supplement , it's a good idea to shop at big-chain retailers, which are more likely to take recalled supplements off shelves.

There can be. Your mouth, stomach, and small intestine make some digestive enzymes. However, the majority come from your pancreas, which floods the small intestine when food arrives there with enzymes such as.

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Recent Blog Articles. Replacement digestive enzymes take the place of natural enzymes, helping to break down carbohydrates, fats, and proteins from the foods you eat. Then the nutrients are absorbed into your body through the wall of the small intestine and distributed through the bloodstream. As a result, replacement digestive enzymes can help prevent malabsorption and related digestive discomforts.

That way, they can do their work as food hits your stomach and small intestine. In some cases, you may break up the dose. Replacement enzyme medications and supplements come in many forms with varied ingredients and dosages. Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy PERT is available only by prescription.

These medications are usually made from pig pancreases. Some prescription enzymes contain pancrelipase, which is made up of amylase, lipase, and protease. These medications are usually coated to prevent stomach acids from digesting the medication before it reaches the intestines.

Dosage varies from person to person based on weight and eating habits. Your doctor will want to start you at the lowest possible dose and make adjustments as needed. OTC enzyme supplements can be found wherever dietary supplements are sold, including online. They may be made from animal pancreases or plants such as molds, yeasts, fungi, or fruit. Ingredients and dosages in these products may differ from batch to batch.

You may need digestive enzymes if you have EPI. Some other conditions that can leave you short on digestive enzymes are:. If you have EPI, digestion can be slow and uncomfortable. It can also leave you malnourished. Symptoms may include:. Lactose intolerance is a good example of this. A nonprescription lactase supplement can help you digest foods that contain lactose. The most common side effect of replacement digestive enzymes is constipation.