Digestive Enzymes

What are they?

Digestive enzymes are complex proteins involved in digestion that stimulate chemical changes in other substances. They work optimally at specific temperature and pH. Digestive enzymes include pancreatic enzymes, plant-derived enzymes, and fungal-derived enzymes. There are three classes of digestive enzymes: proteolytic enzymes needed to digest protein, lipases needed to digest fat, and amylases needed to digest carbohydrates.

In several conditions that cause malabsorption, such as pancreatic insufficiency and cystic fibrosis, doctors sometimes prescribe digestive enzymes to improve absorption of food.

Doctors often tell people to try using pancreatic enzymes with meals when they have symptoms of indigestion that cannot be attributed to a specific cause. In a double-blind study, microencapsulated pancreatic enzymes were shown to reduce gas, bloating, and fullness after a high-fat meal.¹

According to one theory, allergies are triggered by partially undigested protein. Proteolytic enzymes may reduce allergy symptoms by further breaking down undigested protein to sizes that are too small to cause allergic reactions.² Limited scientific evidence supports this theory.³ Proteolytic enzymes such as trypsin, chymotrypsin, and bromelain are partially absorbed by the body.⁴ ⁵ ⁶ Once absorbed, they have anti-inflammatory activity and may even demonstrate antitumor effects.⁷ ⁸ ⁹ ¹⁰ In one preliminary study of a handful of pancreatic cancer patients, the combination of proteolytic enzymes and other cancer treatments appeared to extend survival, despite the fact that most of the patients died.¹¹

Proteolytic enzymes may also improve immune system function, for example, in people with shingles (herpes zoster), though this area of research has not been adequately explored.¹²

Where are they found?

Only small amounts of the animal-based proteolytic enzymes, trypsin and chymotrypsin, are found in the diet; however, the pancreas can synthesize these enzymes. The plant-based proteolytic enzyme bromelain comes from the stems of pineapples and is useful in many conditions. Papain comes from unripe papayas. All of these enzymes are available as supplements.

Enzymes have been used in connection with the following conditions (refer to the individual health concern for complete information):

Rating	Health Concerns
	Low back pain (chymotrypsin, trypsin) Pancreatic insufficiency (including pancreatitis) Sprains and strains (chymotrypsin, trypsin)
	Celiac disease Indigestion (Lipase) Osteoarthritis (bromelain, trypsin, rutosid combination) Tendinitis (proteolytic enzymes)
	Acne Rosacea Chronic candidiasis Crohn’s disease Food allergies Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) Low back pain (papain) Sprains and strains (papain)
Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit. Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit. For an herb, supported by traditional use but minimal or no scientific evidence. For a supplement, little scientific support and/or minimal health benefit.

Who is likely to be deficient?

People with pancreatic insufficiency and cystic fibrosis frequently require supplemental pancreatic enzymes (which include proteolytic enzymes, lipases, and amylases). In addition, those with celiac disease¹³ or Crohn’s disease¹⁴ and perhaps some people suffering from indigestion¹⁵ may be deficient in pancreatic enzymes. As bromelain and papain are not essential, deficiencies do not exist.

How much is usually taken?

The digestive enzymes—proteolytic enzymes, lipases, and amylases—are generally taken together. Pancreatin, which contains all three digestive enzymes, is rated against a standard established by the U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP). For example, “4X pancreatin” is four times stronger than the USP standard. Each “X” contains 25 USP units of amylase, 2 USP units of lipase, and 25 USP units of protease (or proteolytic enzymes). Three to four grams of 4X pancreatin (or a lower amount at higher potency) with each meal is likely to help digest food in some people with pancreatic insufficiency.

Those with chronic pancreatitis need to discuss enzyme intakes with their physician. Under medical supervision, seriously ill people with pancreatic insufficiency caused by pancreatitis are given very high levels of enzymes to improve fat digestion. In one successful trial, enough pancreatin was used with each meal to supply slightly over 1,000,000 USP units of lipase.¹⁶ Because pancreatin is rapidly emptied from the stomach during digestion, people taking these enzymes may obtain better results by spreading out supplementation throughout the meal.¹⁷

Supplemental enzymes that state only product weight, but not activity units, may lack potency.

Are there any side effects or interactions?

The most important digestive enzymes in malabsorption diseases are usually fat-digesting enzymes called lipases. Proteolytic enzymes can digest, as well as destroy, lipases. Therefore, people with enzyme deficiencies may want to avoid proteolytic enzymes in order to spare lipases.¹⁸ If this is not possible (as most enzyme products contain both), people with malabsorption syndromes should talk with their doctor to see if their condition warrants finding products that contain the most lipase and the least protease.

In theory, too much enzyme activity could be irritating because it could start to “digest” parts of the body as the enzymes travel through the digestive system. Fortunately, that does not happen with supplemental amounts. Research has not determined the level at which such problems might arise.

A serious condition involving damage to the large intestines called fibrosing colonopathy has resulted from the use of pancreatic enzymes in children with cystic fibrosis. In some cases, the problem was linked to the use of high supplemental amounts of enzymes.¹⁹ ²⁰ ²¹ However, the amount of enzymes used has not been linked to the problem in all reports.²² In some cases, lower amounts of enzymes have caused fibrosing colonopathy if the enzymes are enteric-coated.²³ Some researchers now believe that some unknown interaction between the enteric coating and the enzymes themselves may cause damage to the intestines of children with cystic fibrosis.²⁴ Until more is known, children with cystic fibrosis needing to take pancreatic enzymes should only do so under the careful supervision of a knowledgeable healthcare professional.

Are there any drug interactions?
Certain medicines may interact with digestive enzymes. Refer to drug interactions for a list of those medicines.

Skip to:

What are they?

Where are they found?

Who is likely to be deficient?

How much is usually taken?

Are there any side effects or interactions?