Digestive Enzymes for Gut Health

The human digestive system is made up of a complex network of organs, including the stomach, small intestine, and large intestine. It’s important for this system to function properly in order to maintain good health.

In this article, we’ll discuss the benefits of taking digestive enzymes for gut health.

For me, addressing my gut health was an important part of my care plan and getting my body back in balance.

My stool test showed that I was not digesting protein and fats properly and I suffer from IBS-D. I often experienced bloating, distention, burning pain, and loose stools.

Adding in digestive enzymes has helped me reduce the frequency and severity of my digestive issues. Gut health has been an important focus in my plan of care for myself. When you have CSU your options are more limited by limiting the ferments and probiotics but digestive enzymes have helped me to improve my gut health without causing flares.

I am not a physician, and nothing on this blog is medical advice. This blog is a general overview of my personal research. As always, you should check with your physician before making any changes to your treatment plan.

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How Enzymes Work

Digestive enzymes are naturally occurring substances that help break down food into nutrients that can be absorbed by the body. They may also be taken as supplements or found in certain foods.

Studies have shown that people who take digestive enzymes regularly experience improved gut health with reduced symptoms such as bloating and constipation.

Our organs produce digestive enzymes and different enzymes work on different foods. There are specific enzymes for starches and carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Look for an enzyme supplement that addresses multiple areas for best results.

We can also access enzymes from external sources like raw fruits, vegetables, cold-pressed oils, and raw dairy. Yet when these foods are heated, the enzymes quickly denature and our organs are forced to carry the whole load. This is stressful to our bodies, and a lot of work.

I also found that many of the foods that naturally contain enzymes are also high in histamine. This makes it hard to get these naturally occurring benefits without invoking a flare in my hives.

By incorporating digestive enzyme supplements, I quickly went from bloated and uncomfortable most of the time to feel more energized and light. Giving my body exactly what it needed to break down and easily assimilate the food I was taking in made a huge difference.

When your body has to pour all its resources into breaking down the food you’re eating, there isn’t much space left for anything else.

Digestive enzymes were a simple addition that helped me so much, especially in the early stages.

Benefits of taking digestive enzyme supplements

Increase nutrient absorption

The small intestine is a delicate system that absorbs nutrients from foods that have been broken down by digestive enzymes in our body.

If this process isn’t fast enough due to deficiency or damaged then it can lead to malabsorption which causes discomfort like stomach upset or bloating.

Replacement enzymes take place of these important functions helping you digest harder substances like fats, carbs, and proteins allowing your body to absorb the nutrients more freely.

Better gut health

Have you heard of the gut-skin connection to the gut-brain connection? Damage to our intestinal lining can cause a “leaky gut”.

When you have a “leaky gut”, undigested food particles may travel through the permeable gut wall and be mistaken by your body for a foreign invader. This could cause more systemic inflammation which is linked to many chronic diseases such as CSU, rosacea, and psoriasis.

When your food is properly broken down, it will better allow your gut to heal.

Clearer skin

You wouldn’t think that digestive enzymes have anything to do with your skin but if you have trouble assimilating nutrients or suffer from a leaky gut, digestive enzymes can improve your skin health.

Lack of important vitamins like vitamins A, C, E, and zinc will be better absorbed when you take digestive enzymes with your meals.

Better digestion

This one may be obvious after reading the above benefits. This is the most important benefit as it assists in all the other areas we discussed. When your food is easier to digest, your gut health can improve, resulting in better nutrient assimilation and reduced inflammation.

Reduced inflammation

Leaky gut = increased gut permeablilty = increased immune response= inflammation.

Fix the leaky gut and we decrease our inflammation.

This study shows how bromelain can help reduce inflammation in arthritis patients. Bromelain has been used as an NSAID alternative as well as a digestive enzyme.

Signs you may need to supplement with digestive enzymes

You eat fast

When you rush through meals, you aren’t taking the time to properly chew your food. Chewing your food is the first step in the digestion process and releases enzymes to begin digestion.

You get frequent heartburn

We often hear to take antacids when we have heartburn. Although this seems logical and often relieves our pain, antacids aren’t always the best solution.

Contrary to popular belief, heartburn is often caused by not enough stomach acid, not too much acid. When we don’t have enough stomach acid, the food sits in the stomach longer to digest. This often results in gas and triggers your esophageal sphincter to open to relieve the pressure. This results in the familiar burn.

So if you add a digestive enzyme, you may experience better digestion and less heartburn.

Food Intolerance

If you find that you have multiple food intolerance or sensitivities, it could be an indication that you have a “leaky gut”. This means that undigested bits of food slip through the intestinal barrier and your body has an immune response. This is different from a true allergy but you may notice that you have an increase in inflammatory symptoms after eating certain foods.

How to take digestive enzymes

Digestive enzymes are just what they sound like. They assist with digestion. These need to be taken with food, preferably at least a half-hour within eating a meal. Timing is important for optimal results.

Check out my favorite digestive enzymes for gut health

When taken properly with food, digestive enzymes can help your body break down carbs, proteins, and fats and increase the absorption of nutrients. This also assists in decreasing inflammation and can potentially improve skin health.

To your wellness,