Best Digestive Enzymes – Tested & Reviewed

Ever felt that fullness after eating, like your stomach is upset? You’re not alone. Many face digestion issues, making meals uncomfortable. Finding the right digestive support can change how you enjoy food.

Looking for the best digestive enzymes often starts with bloating or feeling heavy. Your body makes these proteins naturally, says Morgan Denhard from Johns Hopkins Medicine. But sometimes, you need more help to digest food and get nutrients.

ConsumerLab’s recent tests show big differences in supplement quality. Not all digestive enzymes are the same. Some products offer real relief, from affordable to more expensive options.

This guide looks at top digestive enzymes through testing and real results. You’ll see which ones work best, understand price differences, and find the right one for you. Your journey to better digestion begins here.

Key Takeaways

• Digestive enzyme supplements help break down food for better nutrient absorption
• ConsumerLab testing shows significant strength differences between products
• Price ranges vary from $18 to $53 for quality supplements
• Top products include MaryRuth Organics, Thorne, Hilma, Juna, and The Nue Co
• Your body produces digestive enzymes naturally but may need supplementation
• Choosing the right enzyme depends on your specific digestive concerns

What Are Digestive Enzymes?

Your body makes special proteins called digestive enzymes. They help break down the food you eat. Without them, even healthy food won’t give you the nutrients you need.

Definition and Function

Digestive enzymes are *naturally occurring proteins* that help your body digest food. Your pancreas makes most of these enzymes. They are released into your small intestine to start the digestion process.

Each enzyme has a specific job. They cut large food molecules into smaller pieces. If your body doesn’t make enough, you might feel bloated, gassy, or have indigestion. Natural digestive enzyme supplements can help with these issues.

Types of Digestive Enzymes

Your body makes several types of digestive enzymes. Each one targets a different nutrient:

• Amylase – Breaks down complex carbohydrates into simple sugars
• Lipase – Processes fats into fatty acids and glycerol
• Protease – Splits proteins into amino acids
• Lactase – Handles dairy by breaking down lactose
• Sucrase – Processes table sugar (sucrose)

The strength of digestive enzymes is measured in activity units like FIP, HUT, and PU. This shows how well an enzyme works.

Why You Might Need Digestive Enzymes

Your body makes digestive enzymes to break down food. Sometimes, it needs extra help. Many people feel uncomfortable because their body isn’t making enough enzymes. Knowing these signs can help you see if effective digestive enzyme products can make you feel better.

Common Symptoms of Digestive Issues

Digestive problems bother millions of Americans every day. You might feel several uncomfortable symptoms if your body lacks enough enzymes:

• Persistent belly pain or cramping after meals
• Bloating that makes your clothes feel tight
• Excessive gas throughout the day
• Diarrhea or loose, oily stools
• Unexplained weight loss despite normal eating

These symptoms can come from many conditions. For example, nearly 90% of people with cystic fibrosis have pancreatic enzyme insufficiency. They need special treatment.

How Digestive Enzymes Help

Digestive enzyme supplements replace or add to your body’s natural enzymes. They help break down proteins, fats, and carbs. This makes it easier for your intestines to absorb nutrients. The digestive enzyme benefits include better nutrient absorption and less discomfort after eating.

People with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) might need prescription therapy. Others find relief with over-the-counter supplements. Taking enzymes with meals helps your body digest food better. This reduces uncomfortable symptoms and boosts your digestive health.

Key Ingredients to Look For in Digestive Enzymes

When you’re looking for digestive enzyme capsules, it’s important to know what works. The right mix of enzymes can greatly improve how your body breaks down food. This helps your body absorb nutrients better.

Amylase, Protease, and Lipase

Three main enzymes are key in popular digestive enzyme formulas. Amylase breaks down carbs and starches into simple sugars. Protease splits proteins into amino acids for better absorption. Lipase turns fats into fatty acids and glycerol.

• Lactase – helps digest dairy products
• Cellulase – breaks down plant fibers
• Alpha-galactosidase – reduces gas from beans and vegetables

Probiotics and Their Benefits

Probiotics work differently than enzymes. They support your gut microbiome and digestive health. Some products, like Juna, have 13 enzymes and 5 probiotic strains.

When picking digestive enzyme formulas, choose products that are third-party tested. Make sure they don’t have extra fillers. This means better results and fewer side effects.

Top Reasons to Consider Digestive Enzyme Supplements

If you have trouble digesting food, digestive enzyme supplements might help. They break down your food better, so your body gets more from each meal. Here are the main reasons why digestive enzymes could change your life.

Improved Nutrient Absorption

Your body needs nutrients from food to work right and keep you energized. If you don’t make enough enzymes, you might miss out on important vitamins and minerals. That’s where good digestive enzyme brands come in.

Specific enzymes target different foods to help you absorb better:

• Phytase helps your body get iron from wheat and plants
• Lactase breaks down dairy for better calcium absorption
• Protease helps with protein digestion for muscle health
• Lipase aids in breaking down fats for energy

Relief from Bloating and Discomfort

Feeling bloated, gassy, or having stomach pain often means your food isn’t being digested right. Good digestive enzymes can help by breaking down tough foods. Alpha galactosidase, for example, helps with carbs in veggies like broccoli and cauliflower, which can cause gas.

Many people find that taking enzyme supplements before meals helps a lot. Some formulas from trusted brands also help with inflammation and overall health.

Our Methodology for Testing Digestive Enzymes

Finding the best digestive enzymes is a tough job. We test each one carefully to make sure they work as promised. We check if the product inside matches what the label says.

Criteria for Selection

We look at several important things when picking digestive enzymes:

• Third-party verification of enzyme activity units, not just milligram amounts
• Clean Label Project certification for purity
• NSF certification for quality assurance
• GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) compliance
• Multiple rounds of quality testing

Only products that meet these standards make our list. Some, like Thorne, test their products four times to ensure quality.

Review Process and Findings

We tested nine supplements in our review. Eight were chosen for their popularity, and one for quality. The results showed big differences in quality.

Some products didn’t have the enzyme activity they claimed. Others had too much of certain ingredients. Only the best made it to our list. This careful testing means you can rely on our recommendations for better digestion.

Best Digestive Enzyme Supplements in 2023

Finding the right digestive enzyme supplements can really help your daily comfort. After lots of testing and research, some top products have been found. They have quality ingredients and proven results.

Product Reviews and Recommendations

*MaryRuth Organics Ultra* has important enzymes like protease and amylase. It also has vitamins B1, B6, and B12. Plus, it has calcium and magnesium for full digestive support. It comes with 60 servings per bottle, perfect for daily use.

*Thorne Advanced* is for those needing strong support. It has hydrochloric acid, pepsin, pancreatin, and ox bile. This mix targets digestion at all stages, making it a top choice.

*Hilma* focuses on helping with food sensitivities, like dairy and gluten. It uses special protease enzymes and adds dandelion root and turmeric for extra comfort.

*Juna Detox* combines probiotics with digestive enzymes. It helps with digestion now and keeps your gut healthy. *The Nue Co Debloat+* has 17 digestive enzymes, including alpha galactosidase for breaking down complex carbs.

Pricing and Availability

These digestive enzyme supplements are easy to find. You can get them from many places, making it simple to pick the right one for you.

How to Choose the Right Digestive Enzymes For You

Finding the right digestive enzyme capsules is key to better digestion. There are many options out there. You need to think about what you need and what labels say.

Factors to Consider

Start by looking at the enzyme blend in digestive enzymes. Choose formulas that cover a wide range. This means they have:

• Amylase – breaks down carbohydrates
• Protease – digests proteins
• Lipase – processes fats
• Lactase – handles dairy products
• Cellulase – breaks down plant fibers

Check the enzyme activity units on labels. These numbers show how strong each enzyme is. Your age, stress, and health issues can affect your natural enzymes. This might make supplements more important.

Think about your diet challenges. If dairy bothers you, look for high lactase content. For gluten issues, find formulas with DPP-IV protease.

Consulting with a Healthcare Professional

See your doctor before starting digestive enzyme capsules. A doctor can figure out which enzymes you need. They can suggest the right formula based on your symptoms and health history.

Your doctor might suggest tests to find enzyme gaps or digestive problems. This tailored approach helps you pick the right enzymes for your needs. It avoids generic supplements.

Potential Side Effects and Considerations

Popular digestive enzyme formulas help many people. But, it’s good to know about possible side effects and safety tips. Most people do well with these supplements. Knowing about side effects helps you make smart choices for your digestive health.

Common Side Effects

Digestive enzyme supplements usually don’t cause big problems. You might feel a bit off when you start a new one:

• Stomach cramps or mild belly pain
• Changes in how often you go to the bathroom
• Nausea, often with lactase supplements
• Skin rashes if you’re really sensitive

These symptoms usually go away as your body gets used to the supplement. If they don’t go away in a few days, try taking less or switching to a different one.

Contraindications to Watch Out For

Some health issues need extra care with digestive enzyme supplements. Talk to your doctor before starting any if you:

• Take blood-thinning meds like warfarin
• Use diabetes meds
• Have allergies to pork, beef, or pineapple (common sources)
• Are pregnant or breastfeeding

Remember, over-the-counter digestive enzyme supplements aren’t FDA-regulated like prescription meds. This means dosages and concentrations can differ between brands. Some products make claims about weight loss or other benefits that aren’t proven by science.

Conclusion: Finding Your Best Digestive Enzymes

Your journey to better digestive health starts with knowing your body’s needs. The right digestive enzymes can change how you feel after eating. You’ve learned about different enzymes, important ingredients, and top brands that work.

Recap of Key Points

Timing is key when taking digestive enzymes. Take them before or during meals to help digest food. For pain or inflammation, take them 30 minutes before eating on an empty stomach.

The best supplements have amylase, protease, and lipase. These enzymes break down carbs, proteins, and fats. Many brands also add probiotics for extra gut support.

Encouragement for Healthy Digestion

While supplements help, your diet is most important for digestion. Eat whole foods like fruits, veggies, lean proteins, and grains. Avoid processed, fatty, and fried foods that harm your digestion.

Finding the right digestive enzymes might take some time. Consider talking to a healthcare professional. They can find the best supplement and dosage for you. With the right approach, you can enjoy meals without discomfort and support your body’s digestion.