Digestive issues and gastrointestinal disorders affect millions of lives every day, silently causing discomfort and disrupting daily routines. Startling statistics from the National Institutes of Health reveal that approximately 70 million individuals in the United States alone grapple with digestive disorders. But there are viable solutions, and one of them is the main theme of my story.
These disorders encompass various conditions, from irritable bowel syndrome to acid reflux and beyond, significantly impacting the quality of life for those affected.
As someone who intimately understands the struggles of digestive issues, including leaky gut syndrome, in addition to holistic health approaches, I have started my discovery for relief by supplementing digestive enzymes.
Through personal experience and extensive research, I have unearthed insights into the power of digestive enzymes in restoring balance and vitality to the digestive system. But my research went beyond digestion.
For many years, with allergies and inherited autoimmune conditions, I found myself entangled in the labyrinth of digestive discomfort, grappling with symptoms that ranged from mild to debilitating.
From bloating and indigestion to persistent gastrointestinal distress, my journey was fraught with challenges that seemed insurmountable at times, giving me nightmares. Yet, amid the frustration and uncertainty, I discovered a glimmer of hope from digestive enzyme supplementation.
Through methodical trial and error, I gradually understood the intricate nuances of digestive health, uncovering the impact of targeted enzyme support on alleviating symptoms and restoring balance to the body.
Leaky gut syndrome, a condition characterized by increased intestinal permeability and systemic inflammation, was among the various challenges I faced in my younger years.
The intricate relationship between diet, lifestyle, and gut health became clear as I delved deeper into the underlying mechanisms of digestive dysfunction. Armed with knowledge and a determination to reclaim my health, I continued my methodical experimentation with knowledge from literature and communities and support from my healthcare consultants.
In this article, I explain the intricacies of digestive health, shedding light on the pivotal role that digestive enzymes play beyond digestion in restoring balance and vitality to the body. Based on my research and exprience, I provide a brief overview of digestion, digestive health, and the role of digestive enzymes for information and awareness purposes.
Insights from the Literature
At a very high level, digestion is the process by which the stomach breaks down food into smaller, more absorbable components. It begins in the mouth with chewing and saliva production and continues in the stomach and small intestine, where enzymes and stomach acids further break down food into nutrients (molecules).
This breakdown happens through mechanical digestion, where food is physically broken into smaller pieces, and chemical digestion, where enzymes break down the molecules further.
After digestion, nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and fluids pass through the intestinal lining into the bloodstream for the body to use. This absorption primarily occurs in the small intestine.
These nutrients are then absorbed into the bloodstream and used by the body for energy, growth, and repair. The remaining waste is expelled from the body during the process of elimination.
The critical point is that food is broken down by digestive enzymes to produce energy. As documented in this paper,
Digestive enzymes can break down proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids, and their supplementation may play a role in the management of digestive disorders, from lactose intolerance to cystic fibrosis. So, digestive enzymes are used for various disorders.
I read about the use of digestive enzymes for reducing symptoms of IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), decreasing inflammation, improving liver health, easing arthritis pain, and improving immune system function.
For example, dyspepsia is characterized by episodic or persistent abdominal pain or discomfort of the upper gastrointestinal tract.
This 2023 study concluded that “treatment with digestive enzymes was found to be effective in the reduction of functional dyspepsia symptoms and in the improvement of sleep quality, and is well-tolerated.”
I also noticed many more health benefits of digestive enzymes in the nutrition and medical literature.
For example, physicians prescribe digestive enzymes for specific health conditions like heartburn, indigestion, pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, and pancreatic cancer. Since digestive enzymes reduce stress and discomfort, I have also found them to be beneficial for my mental health.
Review studies mentioned that digestive enzymes could reduce inflammation and edema and have fibrinolytic activity. I particularly investigated bromelain, which is considerably absorbable in the body without losing its proteolytic activity and without producing any significant side effects.
"Bromelain accounts for many therapeutic benefits, such as treating angina pectoris, bronchitis, sinusitis, surgical trauma, thrombophlebitis, debridement of wounds, and enhanced absorption of drugs, particularly antibiotics."
The paper also mentioned that bromelain relieves osteoarthritis, diarrhea, and various cardiovascular disorders. Bromelain also possesses some anticancerous activities and promotes apoptotic cell death.
This Mayo Clinic proceeding prepared by medical doctors informs that “the constituent of bromelain interferes with the growth of malignant cells and inhibits platelet aggregation.
Some evidence suggests that papain can increase the release of reactive oxygen species by polymorphonuclear cells. Multienzyme preparations also seem to induce tumor necrosis factors.
For example, this review paper highlights the medicinal benefits of a natural remedy, the Carica papaya extracts, and its phytochemicals. It has summarized and discussed the potential of Carica papaya against various conditions, like cancer, inflammation, aging, healing of the skin, and lifelong diseases.
My Experience with Different Types of Digestive Enzymes
There are numerous digestive enzymes. For me, the easiest way to understand digestive enzymes was to categorize them based on three primary macro-nutrients: fat, protein, and carbohydrates.
Even though there are several digestive enzymes, the major ones are lipase for fat, protease for protein, and amylase for carbohydrates. They are also known as pancreatic enzymes in literature and health shops.
I want to clarify a point related to digestion as it is critical. I used to confuse digestive enzymes with anti-acid supplements, which had nothing to do with digestion in my younger years.
Anti-acid tablets reduce the stomach acid to give temporary relief. However, they cause serious digestive issues in the long run as the stomach needs adequate acid to digest food.
Learning the importance of stomach acid for digestion was an eye-opener for me.
For example, when I explained my digestive issues to a functional medicine doctor, he asked me to stop using anti-acid tablets. Instead, he suggested a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in warm water 20 minutes before the main meal. It was a turning point for me.
Later, I learned the importance of digestive enzymes from a holistic dietician referred by my functional medicine doctor. It was when I started one meal a day, consuming my daily calories from a single meal.
The dietician introduced me to a specific enzyme formula, including high-dose protease, lipase, pepsin, betaine HCI, and ox bile extract. Even though the formula included amylase, it was irrelevant as I did not consume carbs in my customized diet.
When I used this specific formula, I experienced significant improvement in my digestion. The high-dose lipase digested the fatty food within an hour. I felt significant relief.
As 70% of my calories come from healthy fats in my customized diet, lipase was the most prominent digestive enzyme for me. Lipases are a family of enzymes that break down triglycerides into free fatty acids and glycerol.
“They are expressed and active in multiple tissues; for example, hepatic lipases are in the liver, hormone-sensitive lipases are in adipocytes, lipoprotein lipase is in the vascular endothelial surface, and pancreatic lipase is in the small intestine.”
The body creates lipase while consuming food. Therefore, it might not be essential for everyone. However, in my case, it was insufficient. Thus, the supplementation of specific lipase formulas helped me immensely.
The formula introduced by the dietician worked well during the transition period. However, at a later stage, I discovered a unique lipase formula, including three types of lipase (microbial lipases), which further improved fat digestion in my time-restricted eating regime when I consumed a large amount of fatty food in one meal.
More importantly, I did not experience a single stomach discomfort when using this formula due to consuming a substantial amount of healthy fat to maintain my daily caloric intake, mainly from healthy fats.
After my body adapted to my customized diet and I continued to follow my time-restricted eating plan for a while, I didn’t need to take digestive enzymes anymore.
Instead, I occasionally use lipase when I sense discomfort, which rarely happens nowadays. Interestingly, my stomach only feels upset when I experience an unexpected stressful situation.
I observed a few unique cases in my family members. For example, one family member struggled to digest lactose, especially from cow milk. Her physician advised using a lactase supplement that reduced her symptoms.
Another family member had issues with beans. His dietician recommended he supplement with alpha-galactosidase, allowing the digestion of specific sugar types in beans. So, digestive enzymes helped two other family members and me with digestion issues.
Why might we need supplementation, and what approach should we use for digestive enzymes?
For optimal health, understanding the nuances of digestive health becomes paramount. While our bodies possess the remarkable ability to produce digestive enzymes during the natural digestion process, there are instances where supplementation may be necessary. For example, issues with the pancreas might necessitate supplementation.
Digestive health supplements entail a conscientious approach rooted in informed decision-making and individualized considerations. Therefore, supplementation requires guidance from qualified healthcare professionals who diagnose deficiencies and their root causes to treat symptoms effectively.
Accessible over the counter in many countries, generic digestive enzymes offer a readily available option for those seeking support in enhancing digestive function. However, prescription-based digestive enzymes may be required for specialized conditions or medical needs, highlighting the importance of professional support.
While using over-the-counter options presents convenience and accessibility, it remains essential to prioritize consultation with healthcare providers to ensure alignment with personal health goals and requirements.
Through collaborative efforts between individuals and healthcare professionals, the integration of digestive enzyme supplementation can emerge as a pivotal component in promoting digestive wellness and overall vitality.
Exploring the diverse applications of digestive enzymes reveals their profound impact on dietary assimilation and nutritional optimization. For people adhering to specific dietary regimens, tailored digestive enzyme formulas offer targeted support in mitigating digestive challenges associated with certain food groups.
Digestive enzymes can be made from plants and animal sources. Therefore, there are specific formulas for various diet types. For example, a nutritionist might develop a specific formula for a client on a plant-based diet and another formula for a client on an animal-based diet.
There is substantial research on digestive enzymes, looking at their pros and cons. As I mentioned earlier, some digestive enzymes are sold over the counter, and some formulas require a prescription.
Apart from pancreatic enzymes such as lipase, protease, and amylase, the commonly available ones over the counter are bromelain, papain, trypsin, and chymotrypsin. Clinicians also use them to address various health conditions.
For example, the Mayo Clinic in the US guided practitioners to reduce confusion in a report titled “Over-the-Counter Enzyme Supplements: What a Clinician Needs to Know.”
As digestive enzymes are made in the pancreas, I wrote an article to improve the health of this important organ for digestion. It is titled Make Your Pancreas Healthier via Lifestyle Choices.
To improve our digestive health, here are six practical takeaways to empower your journey towards optimal digestion:
Familiarize yourself with major digestive enzymes such as lipase for fat, protease for protein, and amylase for carbohydrates. Understanding their functions can aid in selecting appropriate enzyme supplements.
Consult with qualified healthcare professionals to assess your digestive needs and determine suitable enzyme formulations. Tailored guidance can optimize enzyme supplementation based on your unique dietary requirements and health goals.
Opt for high-quality digestive enzyme supplements derived from plant or animal sources, ensuring potency and purity. Look for reputable brands backed by scientific research and consult healthcare providers for personalized recommendations.
Pay attention to how your body responds to enzyme supplementation, noting improvements in digestion and overall well-being. Keep track of any adverse reactions or discomfort and adjust dosage or formulation accordingly.
Complement enzyme supplementation with healthy lifestyle choices, including mindful eating habits, regular physical activity, and stress management techniques. Addressing underlying factors such as dehydration and stress can enhance digestive function and optimize enzyme efficacy.
Stay abreast of emerging research and advancements in digestive health to make informed decisions about enzyme supplementation and overall health and wellness.
Conclusions
Understanding the function and role of digestive enzymes is pivotal for maintaining optimal health, especially for those grappling with digestive issues, like approximately 70 million people in the US.
Digestion is a multifaceted process involving food’s mechanical and chemical breakdown into absorbable components, ultimately providing essential nutrients to the body.
Supplementation with digestive enzymes has shown promise in managing various digestive disorders and promoting overall well-being. Investing in digestive health can benefit your well-being, bring lasting benefits, and empower you to thrive.
For me, the most important contributor to my digestive health is eating my food slowly and mindfully and chewing every bite until it turns to liquid. It delights me and improves my digestion.
Thank you for reading my perspectives. I wish you a healthy and happy life.
I also wrote about other molecules and nutrients like Boron, Urolithin, taurine, citrulline malate, biotin, lithium orotate, alpha-lipoic acid, n-acetyl-cysteine, acetyl-l-carnitine, CoQ10, PQQ, NADH, TMG, creatine, choline, digestive enzymes, magnesium, zinc, hydrolyzed collagen, nootropics, pure nicotine, activated charcoal, Vitamin B12, Vitamin B1, Vitamin D, Vitamin K2, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine, and other nutrients to improve metabolism and mental health. You might find search them through Google or other search engines. They reflect my experience, observations, and literature reviews.
One of my writing goals is to raise awareness about the causes and risk factors of prevalent diseases that can lead to suffering and death for a large portion of the population. I aim to educate, create awareness, and empower my readers to take control of their health and well-being.
To raise awareness about health issues, I have written several articles that present my holistic health findings from research, personal observations, and unique experiences.
If you found this story helpful, you may also check out my other articles on NewsBreak. As a postdoctoral researcher and executive consultant, I write about important life lessons based on my decades of research and experience in cognitive, metabolic, and mental health.
To inform my new readers, I wrote multiple articles that might inform and inspire you. My topics include brain and cognitive function, significant health conditions, longevity, nutrition/food, valuable nutrients, ketogenic lifestyle, self-healing, weight management, science, technology, business, and humor.
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