Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat They AreTypesDeficienciesSymptomsFoodsSupplementsSide EffectsWhen to See a Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What They Are
Types
Deficiencies
Symptoms
Foods
Supplements
Side Effects
When to See a Provider
Some conditions can result in digestiveenzyme deficiencies, such as lactose intolerance or exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. In that case, supplementation with foods, over-the-counter supplements, or prescription digestive enzyme supplements may be necessary.
Keep reading to learn about different types of digestive enzymes and how they work.
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What Are Digestive Enzymes?
Digestive enzymes are released when we:
Some foods require certain digestive enzymes to break down the specific nutrients they contain.
A variety of health conditions, especially those that affect the pancreas, can lead to deficiencies in digestive enzymes. This is because the pancreas secretes several key enzymes.
How Long Food Takes to Digest and Leave the Body
Types of Digestive Enzymes
Each of the many different digestive enzymes targets a specific nutrient and splits it up into a form that can eventually be absorbed.
The most important digestive enzymes include:
Amylase
Amylase is important for digesting carbohydrates. It breaks down starches into sugars.
High levels of amylase in the blood may mean you have:
Low levels of amylase may mean you have chronic pancreatitis (ongoing inflammation of the pancreas) or liver disease.
Maltase
The small intestine releases maltase, which is responsible for breaking down maltose (malt sugar) intoglucose(simple sugar). The body uses glucose for energy.
Lactase
Lactase(also calledlactase-phlorizin hydrolase)is an enzyme that breaks down lactose, a sugar found in dairy products. It turns lactose into the simple sugars glucose and galactose.
Lipase
Proteases
Also called peptidases,proteolyticenzymes, orproteinases, these digestive enzymes break down proteins into amino acids. They also play a role in numerous body processes, including:
Proteases are produced in the stomach and pancreas. The main ones include:
Health Benefits of Proteolytic Enzymes
Sucrase
Sucrase is found along theintestinalvilli. These are tiny hair-like structures that line the intestine and absorb nutrients into the bloodstream.
Digestive Enzymes vs. ProbioticsProbiotics also help with digestion, but they are not the same as digestive enzymes. Probiotics are microbes that help support digestive health. They do not help you digest food.
Digestive Enzymes vs. Probiotics
Probiotics also help with digestion, but they are not the same as digestive enzymes. Probiotics are microbes that help support digestive health. They do not help you digest food.
Digestive Enzyme Deficiencies
There are a variety of health conditions that can interfere with the secretion of enough digestive enzymes to fully digest foods. Some are inherited genetic conditions while others develop over time.
Lactose Intolerance
There are several forms of lactose intolerance.
Congenital Lactase Deficiency
Congenital lactase deficiency (also called congenitalalactasia) is a rare inherited form of lactose intolerance. It happens when newborns are unable to break down lactose in breast milk or formula. They get severe diarrhea if they aren’t given a lactose-free alternative.
Lactase Non-Persistence
Most people with lactase non-persistence keep some level of lactase activity and can continue to include a small amount of lactose in their diets. This may be in the form of cheese or yogurt since both tend to be tolerated better than fresh milk.
Secondary Lactose Intolerance
Secondary lactose intolerance develops when lactase production is reduced because of diseases that can damage the small intestine. These diseases includeceliac diseaseor Crohn’s disease as well as other illnesses or injuries that affect the intestinal wall.
Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency
The pancreas produces the key digestive enzymes amylase, protease, and lipase. People withexocrine pancreatic insufficiency(EPI) have a deficiency of these enzymes. As a result, they are unable to digest food properly, especially fats.
The health conditions that affect the pancreas and are associated with EPI are:
Symptoms of Digestive Enzyme Deficiencies
If you have a digestive enzyme deficiency, you may have symptoms such as:
Foods High in Digestive Enzymes
A variety of foods, especially tropical fruits and fermented vegetables, are naturally high in digestive enzymes that might speed up the digestion of certain nutrients.
It’s best to eat them raw since heat can lessen or destroy these plant enzymes.
Digestive juices require hydration, so make sure that you drink water throughout the day.
Digestive Enzyme Supplements
People who don’t have sufficient amounts of digestive enzymes or who are looking to support healthy digestion should consider supplementing their diet with digestive enzymes.
Digestive enzyme supplements can come in:
Prescription Supplements
If you have pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, cystic fibrosis, or another disease of the pancreas, you may need to take prescription digestive enzymes. Researchers are exploring whether digestive enzymes may also help those with celiac disease.
Brands of prescription pancreatic enzyme supplements (pancrelipase) include:
Over-the-Counter Supplements
The following are some of the supplemental enzymes that don’t require a prescription:
As with any supplement, check with your healthcare provider before taking an over-the-counter digestive enzyme to make sure it’s safe for you.
When should I take digestive enzymes?
The timing for taking digestive enzymes depends on why you’re taking them.
For example, prescription supplements for cystic fibrosis need to be taken at every meal and snack, but the dosage and timing may vary depending on what you’re eating or your age.
Side Effects of Digestive Enzyme Supplements
It is also possible to have severe side effects. For example, applying digestive enzymes to the skin can cause severe irritation, pain, and burning. It is also possible to experience a perforated esophagus when taking high doses of papain.Anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction) is also a possible side effect of some digestive enzymes.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Before you decide to take an enzyme supplement, get your healthcare provider’s advice. They can help you determine if it’s safe for you.
Summary
Sometimes people have a digestive enzyme deficiency. These deficiencies are connected to various health conditions. Many of these health conditions are related to the pancreas.
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