Digestion

Digestive Enzymes

Enzyme blend that helps break down carbs, fat, and protein; useful for lactose, bean gas, and pancreatic insufficiency.

score

evidence

Caution

risk

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Use with caution

This supplement may interact with medications, medical conditions or sensitive populations. Review safety before use.

Overview

Forms

Safety

Stack

Quick Take

Worth trying if you have lactose intolerance, bean gas, or pancreatic insufficiency; low return for normal digestion.

Digestive enzymes are protein catalysts used to break down food; supplements usually contain lactase, alpha-galactosidase, amylase, lipase, protease, or pancrelipase from fungal or porcine sources. Similar enzymes occur in foods such as pineapple and papaya, but supplement products are more concentrated. They speed hydrolysis of lactose, starch, fat, and protein before intestinal absorption. Best evidence is for lactose intolerance, bean-related gas, and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency; multi-enzyme blends may help some people with post-meal bloating or indigestion.

Potential benefits

Improves digestion in pancreatic insufficiency

Eases lactose intolerance

Reduces legume-related gas

May ease post-meal bloating

May reduce indigestion

Protocol

Amount

1 labeled serving

Frequency

With each problematic meal

When

Immediately before or at the start of the meal; alpha-galactosidase works best with the first bite, lactase with dairy.

Onset Time

Acute with the meal; 2-4 weeks for bloating trials.

Who Should Consider

Lactose intolerant adults

People who get gas from beans or FODMAP-rich meals

People with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency

Adults with recurrent post-meal bloating or indigestion

Older adults with reduced pancreatic output

How It Works

They provide exogenous catalysts that hydrolyze starches, fats, proteins, lactose, and oligosaccharides before colonic bacteria ferment them. In people with low enzyme output, this can improve digestion and reduce gas, bloating, and greasy stools.

Updated 5/19/2026