The active ingredients in enzyme supplements are primarily digestive enzymes, which are often used to support healthy digestion and increase nutrient absorption, and may also affect weight management. Protheragen Nutraceuticals provides you with quality enzyme supplements to help you reap the benefits for digestive health.
How Do Digestive Enzyme Supplements Work?
Digestive enzyme supplements are dietary supplements designed to mimic the action of the body's natural digestive enzymes to help break down and absorb food. When taken with food (usually before meals), these enzymes help digest all food. They promote digestion, and when inactive, they themselves are digested. Protease breaks down proteins, amylase breaks down carbohydrates and starches, and lipase breaks down fat. These three enzymes break down most common foods in our daily life.
Common Digestive Enzyme Supplements
- Bromelain: helps reduce symptoms of indigestion
- Lipase: for lipase deficiency or as a digestive aid
- Papain: as a digestive aid
- Lactase: for lactose intolerance
Are Digestive Enzymes Beneficial for Weight Management?
Studies have shown that digestive enzymes can improve the gut microbiome to prevent digestive diseases caused by intestinal flora imbalance, which seems to be beneficial for weight management. Dietary preparations for modulating the gut microbiome are important tools in the treatment of obesity, resulting in significant reductions in BMI, body weight, and fat mass. [1,2]
Influence of the gut microbiome on obesity [2]
However, the result could also be the opposite. Enzyme inhibitors can reduce the level or activity of enzymes. Studies have shown that lipase inhibitors cause weight loss by blocking the digestion and absorption of dietary lipids and carbohydrates. Researches of obese patients suggest that lipase inhibitors may be particularly beneficial for those who can effectively control food intake and adhere to dietary restrictions. [3]
Related Research Information
Possibilities of treating celiac disease
The new field of enzyme replacement is also evaluating treatments for diseases unrelated to enzyme deficiency, such as celiac disease (CD). Combinations of different enzymes could constitute an interesting therapeutic option in the future, such as a combination of digestive enzymes and probiotics. [4]
Potential benefits for autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
Growing evidence points to a gut-brain connection associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In a double-blind placebo-controlled trial of digestive enzymes in children with ASD (ages 3-9), researchers found that children who received digestive enzymes for 3 months had significant improvements in 4 parameters according to Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) and Global Behavior Rating Scales (GBRS). This suggests that digestive enzymes have potential benefits for children with ASD.[5]
References- Thomas E Ichim. (2018). "Protection from chemotherapy- and antibiotic-mediated dysbiosis of the gut microbiota by a probiotic with digestive enzymes supplement," Oncotarget 9(56), 30919-30935.
- George Kunnackal John. (2018). "Dietary Alteration of the Gut Microbiome and Its Impact on Weight and Fat Mass: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," Genes (Basel) 9(3), 167.
- Sonia A Tucci. (2010). "The role of lipid and carbohydrate digestive enzyme inhibitors in the management of obesity: a review of current and emerging therapeutic agents," Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes. 3, 125–143.
- Gianluca Ianiro. (2016). "Digestive Enzyme Supplementation in Gastrointestinal Diseases," Current Drug Metabolism 17, 187-193.
- Khaled Saad. (2015). "A Randomized, Placebo-controlled Trial of Digestive Enzymes in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders," Clin Psychopharmacol Neurosci. 13(2), 188–193.
※ These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug
Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any
disease.
