What Are Digestive Enzymes?
Digestive enzymes are naturally occurring proteins in our body that aid in breaking down food and absorbing nutrients. The three main places where digestive enzymes are found are in our stomach, small intestine, and pancreas. Some are also made in our mouth through our saliva. The pancreas, above all others, is the place where most of the crucial digestive enzymes are created. Carbohydrates, proteins, and fats are all broken down with the help of pancreatic enzymes.
Three Main Digestive Enzymes Inside Our Pancreas
List of Pancreatic Enzymes for Your Digestive System
There are many types of pancreatic enzymes that could be useful for your digestive system. Here we highlight some we recommend, along with information on where they are extracted from:
| # | Enzyme Name | Enzyme Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pancreatin | Typically extracted from the pancreas of pigs or cows. A mixture of amylase, lipase, and protease that promotes food digestion, healthy weight, and increased absorption of nutrients and minerals. |
| 2 | Papain | Extracted from the latex of the papaya plant. A cysteine protease that breaks down proteins and has been utilized to aid fluid retention, inflammation, stomach pain, infection, diarrhea, and allergies. |
| 3 | Bromelain | Extracted from the stem and fruit of the pineapple plant. Utilized to reduce pain and inflammation, promote digestion and muscle repair. Also used for burns, bronchitis, sinusitis, and certain cardiovascular disorders. |
| 4 | Trypsin-Chymotrypsin | Proteolytic enzymes used clinically since the 1960s for tissue repair. Shown to resolve inflammatory symptoms and promote faster recovery than other enzymes. Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and analgesic properties. |
| 5 | Serratiopeptidase | Extracted from silkworms. Has anti-inflammatory, anti-edemic, fibrinolytic, anti-biofilm, and analgesic properties — a profile similar to Trypsin-Chymotrypsin. |
| 6 | Nattokinase | Derived from Natto (fermented soybeans), a traditional Asian food consumed for centuries. Research suggests it aids cardiovascular health through antihypertensive and lipid-lowering properties. |
| 7 | Thymus | Usually extracted from the thymus glands of young calves. Research suggests thymus extracts aid T-cell production, immune system support, and reduced inflammation. May also help with respiratory infections, asthma, and food allergies. |
| 8 | Glutathione | Produced in the liver, it is one of the body's most important antioxidants. Functions include protecting mitochondria, aiding energy production, reducing inflammation, lowering cardiovascular risk, and maintaining vitamins C and E levels. |
| 9 | N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC) | An FDA-approved drug also recognized by the WHO. Used to treat acetaminophen overdoses and respiratory diseases. Has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties; studied for chronic bronchitis, liver conditions, asthma, and more. |
"Enzyme supplements exist to aid and complement our digestive system, particularly our pancreatic enzymes — providing the support our pancreas or digestive system may need."
Why Should I Take Digestive Enzyme Supplements?
Digestive enzymes have gained popularity in recent years for treating digestive issues such as gut irritation, heartburn, and stomach aches. But if the body naturally creates these enzymes, why supplement?
The answer is that some people do not produce enough digestive enzymes, and this can cause complications. One of the most common is lactose intolerance — caused by insufficient lactase, the enzyme that breaks down lactose. Symptoms of digestive enzyme insufficiency include stomach pain, bloating, diarrhea, gas, oily stools, and unexplained weight loss. Enzyme supplements provide the support our pancreas or digestive system may need to function optimally.
What Kind of Digestive Enzyme Supplements Should I Take?
Digestive enzymes are derived from either plants or animals. Regardless of origin, they all fall under the umbrella of digestive enzymes. Within that umbrella, pancreatic enzymes are strictly animal-derived because they are only found in the pancreas; plant-based enzymes (papain, bromelain) are the non-animal alternative.
When choosing a digestive enzyme supplement, we suggest focusing on a blend that optimizes digestion — with an emphasis on pancreatic enzymes since the majority of our digestion occurs in that organ.
We also strongly recommend paying attention to the type of capsule. When we consume a capsule, our mouth and stomach release enzymes and acids to break it down. This is normally fine — but for pancreatic enzymes, we need a capsule that can survive the high acidity of the stomach and arrive intact at the pancreas. If it breaks down too early, the enzymes will not be optimized.
For that reason, we suggest looking for Enteric Coated Capsules (ECC). These are coated with an acid-resistant material that lets the capsule pass through the stomach undissolved until it reaches an alkaline environment (pH 5.5 or higher) — typically the small intestine and pancreas. Most standard capsules dissolve in 15 minutes; ECC capsules take 1 to 2 hours, ensuring the enzymes arrive at their destination and can do their job.
We hope this article has helped you understand the role that enzymes play in your health. As always, we suggest speaking to a physician before beginning any new supplement regimen.
Ready to Support Your Digestive Health?
Protzym Forte by TJ Supply is a high-potency enzyme blend in Enteric Coated Capsules — the format we recommend for optimal absorption. 25+ years of quality.
As with any supplement, consult your doctor before making changes to your regimen. The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice.
Works Cited
(1) Denhard, Morgan. "Digestive Enzymes and Digestive Enzyme Supplements." Www.hopkinsmedicine.org, 2022. hopkinsmedicine.org
(2) David Wolfson, ND, Stephen Olmstead, MD, Dennis Meiss, PhD, and Janet Ralston, BS. Making Sense of Digestive Enzymes.
(3) Mark Johnson, Keith Hillier. Pancreatin. xPharm: The Comprehensive Pharmacology Reference, Elsevier, 2007, Pages 1–3.
(4) Kang, Y.-M. et al. Papain Ameliorates Lipid Accumulation and Inflammation in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity Mice via AMPK Activation. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22, 9885. doi.org/10.3390/ijms22189885
(5) Chakraborty AJ et al. Bromelain a Potential Bioactive Compound: A Comprehensive Overview from a Pharmacological Perspective. Life (Basel). 2021 Apr 6;11(4):317.
(6) "The Role of Trypsin:Chymotrypsin in Tissue Repair." Figshare, 19 Apr. 2018. figshare.com
(7) Jadhav SB et al. Serratiopeptidase: Insights into the therapeutic applications. Biotechnol Rep (Amst). 2020 Oct 17;28:e00544.
(8) Chen H et al. Nattokinase: A Promising Alternative in Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases. Biomark Insights. 2018 Jul 5;13:1177271918785130.
(9) Afonso AF et al. Health-Promoting Effects of Thymus Phenolic-Rich Extracts. Antioxidants (Basel). 2020 Sep 1;9(9):814.
(10) Pizzorno J. Glutathione. Integr Med (Encinitas). 2014 Feb;13(1):8–12.
(11) Mokhtari V et al. A review on various uses of N-acetyl cysteine. Cell J. 2017;19(1):11–17.
