What Are Digestive Enzymes? Benefits, Types, and How to Get Them

As with so much in the human body, it’s easy to overlook the importance of a smoothly functioning digestive system. Digestive enzymes play a key role by breaking down everything we eat into absorbable components. However, numerous factors can interfere with your enzymes, potentially causing symptoms like gas, diarrhea, bloating, and fatigue. Up to 25% of otherwise healthy individuals experience occasional bloating. 

In this article, I’ll introduce you to the main types of digestive enzymes and the reasons why your body might not have enough of them. I’ll also explain why a daily greens powder like Live it Up Super Greens is a great way to support your gut health and optimize nutrient absorption with the help of digestive enzymes, all-natural superfoods, and probiotics.

Below, I’ll explain:

• What Are Digestive Enzymes?
• What Are the Types of Digestive Enzymes?
• Digestive Enzymes vs. Probiotics
• Potential Benefits
• Possible Side Effects
• What Are the Signs Your Digestive System Needs More Enzymes?
• Get Your Digestive Enzymes With Live it Up Super Greens

What Are Digestive Enzymes?

Released at varying points during digestion, digestive enzymes are protein catalysts that help break down food so that your body can absorb the key nutrients. While most digestive enzymes are produced in the pancreas, some are synthesized in the mouth, small intestine, and stomach. 

Much of the body’s enzymatic action occurs in the small intestine, where digestive juices help speed up the chemical reactions that break down carbohydrates, fats (lipids), and proteins. If enough digestive enzymes are present, the macronutrients are turned into soluble molecules that can be absorbed through the wall of the small intestine and delivered throughout the body as needed.

What Are the Types of Digestive Enzymes?

Here’s a closer look at the three main types of digestive enzymes and the macronutrients they target. 

1. Amylase and other carbohydrases

Amylase is produced by the salivary glands and the pancreas and works in the mouth and the small intestine. Amylase’s role is to trigger the reactions that break down starch (a complex carbohydrate) into simple sugars. When these sugars reach the final section of the small intestine (the ileum), another digestive enzyme, maltase, catalyzes a reaction to cleave them into tiny glucose molecules that can be absorbed into the bloodstream.   

Amylase and maltase aren’t the only digestive enzymes that work on carbohydrates. For example, sucrase and lactase catalyze the breakdown of sucrose and lactose, respectively. 

Individuals who do not produce enough of the enzyme lactase may experience symptoms of lactose intolerance if they eat foods containing dairy. For lactose-intolerant individuals, symptoms like gas, bloating, and diarrhea occur when undigested lactose molecules are not absorbed by the small intestine and instead reach the large intestine, where they are fermented by gut bacteria.

2. Protease (including pepsin, bromelain, and papain)

Protease helps digest proteins. Also known as proteolytic enzymes, proteases are a large and varied class of enzymes, each with a specific function in protein digestion. Proteases catalyze a hydrolysis reaction in which a water molecule is used to break the chemical bonds that bind long chains of amino acids, known as peptides, together as proteins. 

Proteases start working in the stomach, where pepsin from the gastric glands starts the process of breaking down dietary proteins. This continues in the duodenum section of the small intestine, where trypsin cleaves them into smaller polypeptide chains. An enzyme known as peptidase works in the ileum section of the small intestine to transform the peptides into amino acids. These amino acids are then used throughout the body to create new proteins. 

3. Lipase

The digestive enzyme lipase primarily works in the duodenum (the first section of the small intestine) to turn dietary fats and oils into smaller components so that they can be absorbed by the intestines, along with fat-soluble vitamins.

The enzymatic action of lipase wouldn’t be possible without bile, a digestive fluid produced in the liver, which emulsifies large fat globules into smaller droplets. Once the fats are emulsified, lipase catalyzes a hydrolysis reaction that breaks down triglycerides into smaller molecules, eventually yielding free fatty acids and glycerol. 

While pancreatic lipase is undoubtedly the most important enzyme for breaking down dietary fats, other lipases include lingual lipase (produced by the salivary glands in the mouth) and gastric lipase (secreted in the stomach). 

Digestive Enzymes vs. Probiotics

Digestive enzymes are sometimes confused with probiotics, as they both play important roles in the digestive system and are associated with various potential health benefits. They are frequently combined in dietary supplements that support gut health, including green powders like Live it Up. 

However, their functions are notably different:

• Digestive enzymes are catalytic proteins. They speed up the chemical reactions that break down food into absorbable components. As a result, digestive enzymes can directly impact your digestion and how your body absorbs nutrients.
• Probiotics are living microorganisms, typically bacteria like Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, which are naturally found in certain foods or are added to dietary supplements to support the balance of healthy bacteria in the gut. However, although they are vital for ensuring a healthy microbiome, they do not actively participate in the breakdown of fats, proteins, or lipids.

Potential Digestive Enzyme Benefits

While the most obvious benefit of digestive enzymes is to break down macronutrients into absorbable molecules, there are other reasons to appreciate these hard-working protein catalysts – and to consider adding more to your diet with a gut-friendly green powder. 

Nutrient Absorption

The main function of digestive enzymes is to ensure that we can access the nutrients in our food, including amino acids, glucose, and fatty acids. 

Digestive enzymes also promote the absorption of vitamins and minerals by releasing them from food so that they can pass through the intestinal lining. This is especially true of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K), which rely on lipase for their absorption before they can be stored in the liver or fatty tissues. 

While the body naturally produces the carbohydrases, proteases, and lipases needed to break down macronutrients, you may be able to boost their effectiveness by eating certain foods (e.g., tropical fruits and fermented vegetables) or taking digestive enzyme supplements.

Bloating and Gas

Many digestive enzymes work in your small intestine to transform macronutrients into absorbable components. However, you may sometimes notice uncomfortable symptoms like bloating, gas, or digestive discomfort, especially after eating a large meal or consuming certain foods. This could mean that too many undigested molecules are reaching the colon (large intestine), where the fermentation process begins.

Taking digestive enzyme supplements may help bloating and discomfort. For example, many people feel more comfortable after eating beans and root vegetables if they take an alpha-galactosidase supplement to limit the amount of galactooligosaccharides (a type of non-absorbable fiber) that make it to the large intestine. Similarly, individuals with lactose intolerance may take lactase supplements if they want to consume dairy products without concerns about unpleasant gastrointestinal symptoms. 

Protein Utilization for Muscle Repair and Inflammation

Proteases help the body utilize dietary protein for various purposes. By breaking down proteins into smaller components, proteolytic enzymes ensure that amino acids are available for muscle protein synthesis, which is essential for repair and growth after exercise. 

Research also suggests that proteases like bromelain and papain may have anti-inflammatory effects. For athletes, this could contribute to faster recovery after strenuous workouts, with less soreness and swelling. There is also evidence that these plant-derived proteases may help reduce symptoms related to inflammatory conditions.

Possible Digestive Enzymes Side Effects

Incorporating moderate doses of digestive enzymes into your diet could help support your digestive health. However, as with any change to your diet or supplement regimen, side effects can occur. Here’s what to be aware of when considering digestive enzyme supplementation.

• Mild gastrointestinal symptoms like gas, upset stomach, cramping, and diarrhea are the most common side effects of taking digestive enzyme supplements. These symptoms are most likely to occur soon after you begin supplementation, but don’t usually last long.
• Allergic reactions to digestive enzymes are rare, but possible. If you have a suspected allergy or food sensitivity, you may want to avoid certain digestive enzymes.
• If you take certain medications, including blood thinners or antibiotics, you should consult with your doctor before taking digestive enzymes, as they could interfere with your medications. 
• Pay attention to the dosage when considering a digestive enzyme product. Some supplements are formulated with high dosages and are intended for individuals with serious enzyme deficiencies. For otherwise healthy individuals who want to address mild digestive discomfort, excess supplementation could upset the body’s natural enzyme balance and digestive process. Overuse could even result in your body becoming dependent on high doses of enzymes to digest food. 

What Are the Signs Your Digestive System Needs More Enzymes?

For most individuals, a varied diet rich in lean protein, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables is enough to naturally support the production of the necessary digestive enzymes, primarily by the pancreas. 

As previously mentioned, some individuals may need additional enzymes to digest certain foods, including dairy products (which contain the milk sugar lactose) and legumes and root vegetables (which contain non-digestible carbohydrates called galactooligosaccharides).  

Enzyme production can also be impacted by other factors, including:

• Aging
• Genetic predisposition
• Chronic stress
• Poor diet (i.e., processed foods with limited nutrients)
• Smoking
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Unhealthy gut microbiome

Many of these factors can be mitigated by improving one’s diet and lifestyle, naturally helping the body make enough digestive enzymes. However, dietary supplements like Live it Up Super Greens that feature digestive enzymes may also be helpful for quickly boosting enzyme levels. 

It’s worth noting that serious digestive enzyme deficiencies are rare. They are usually associated with medical conditions affecting the pancreas. Symptoms of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency include severe bloating, gas, abdominal discomfort, weight loss, and abnormal stools. Other gastrointestinal conditions may also impact enzyme production due to damage to the intestinal lining. 

If you are experiencing unexplained digestive symptoms, your healthcare professional will be able to determine whether you have an enzyme deficiency. 

Get Your Digestive Enzymes With Live it Up Super Greens

While most individuals do not need high-dose enzyme supplements, increasing your intake of plant-derived enzymes could aid digestion.

Live it Up Super Greens is a convenient way to incorporate vegetarian digestive enzymes and many other nutrients and superfoods into your daily diet. Specifically, each scoop of this vegan green powder provides a moderate dose of three protease enzymes, vegetarian pepsin, papain, and bromelain, to help facilitate the breakdown and absorption of nutrients from dietary proteins. These natural digestive enzymes have been linked to support for gastrointestinal discomfort and inflammation, and may also play a role in muscle recovery.

In addition to digestive enzymes, Live it Up contains 20+ all-natural superfoods, 5 billion CFU of dairy-free probiotics, and 22 vitamins and minerals. Live it Up Super Greens is made with organic vegetables and includes nutrient-dense greens like wheatgrass, barley grass, chlorella, spirulina, dandelion leaf, spinach, moringa, ginger, and many others.

Many people take Live it Up Super Greens to supplement their daily nutrition with potent superfoods that would be difficult to source on their own, helping to fill dietary gaps and supporting healthy digestion, immunity, and energy levels. All Live it Up superfood blends are third-party tested for purity and quality and are free from sugar, dairy, nuts, gluten, and soy, and made without artificial colors, flavors, or fillers. 

FAQs About Digestive Enzyme Supplements

Still curious about digestive enzymes? Check out these frequently asked questions to learn more. 

What do digestive enzymes do?

Whether naturally produced in your pancreas or introduced through supplementation, the role of digestive enzymes is to speed up the various chemical reactions that break down carbohydrates, fats, and proteins into smaller components. This facilitates the absorption of nutrients into the bloodstream so that they can be utilized throughout the body. 

What foods are high in digestive enzymes?

Tropical fruits are among the best dietary sources of naturally occurring digestive enzymes. You’ll find proteases in kiwi, papaya, and pineapple; amylases and glucosidases in mango and banana; and lipases in avocado. Honey is also useful for breaking down starches, sugars, and proteins, thanks to the presence of amylases, diastases, invertases, and proteases. Fermented foods, such as kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, and miso, are rich in both digestive enzymes and probiotics. 

Do digestive enzymes help you lose weight?

Weight loss occurs as a result of a calorie deficit and exercise, which is largely unrelated to the presence of digestive enzymes. Instead, digestive enzymes support normal gastrointestinal function by helping your body absorb nutrients from the food you eat. Interestingly, some research suggests that enzyme inhibitors, which block the enzymatic activity of digestive enzymes like lipase and amylase, may be helpful for weight management, though the findings are not conclusive. 

Do digestive enzymes make you poop more? 

Digestive enzymes are not directly associated with more frequent bowel movements. However, by promoting food breakdown and nutrient absorption, they support normal digestive function, which includes digestive regularity. In some cases, digestive enzymes may help with constipation. On the other hand, though, diarrhea can be a side effect of digestive enzyme supplementation, especially if you are taking an excessively high dose.  

References

• https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/21740-bloated-stomach 
• https://www.webmd.com/diet/what-are-digestive-enzymes 
• https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/22386-amylase-test 
• https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lactose-intolerance/symptoms-causes/syc-20374232 
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3401057/ 
• https://www.health.com/protease-8651765 
• https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/the-digestive-process-what-is-the-role-of-your-pancreas-in-digestion 
• https://www.health.harvard.edu/nutrition/the-benefits-of-probiotics 
• https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/digestive-enzymes-how-supplements-like-lactaid-and-beano-can-help-with-digestion 
• https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/proteolytic-enzymes 
• https://www.verywellhealth.com/the-benefits-of-digestive-enzymes-89446#toc-what-are-the-side-effects-of-digestive-enzymes 
• https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/exocrine-pancreatic-insufficiency/symptoms-causes 
• https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-are-digestive-enzymes-1945036 
• https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/digestive-enzymes-and-weight-loss#weight-loss