Understanding Digestive Enzymes

If you've ever felt bloated, sluggish, or like your food just isn’t sitting right, your body might be asking for a little extra digestive support. One of the gentlest ways to offer that support? Digestive enzymes.

Let’s break down (pun intended!) what they are, how they work, and how to choose the right kind for your needs.

What Are Digestive Enzymes, and Why Do They Matter?

Digestive enzymes are naturally produced by your body to help break down the food you eat. Each enzyme has a specific job:

• Protease breaks down proteins

• Lipase breaks down fats

• Amylase breaks down carbohydrates

• Lactase breaks down lactose (the sugar in dairy)

• Cellulase helps with fiber

• And there are many others with more specialized roles

Your pancreas, stomach, and small intestine produce these enzymes, but sometimes—due to age, stress, or other factors—your body might not make enough. That’s where supplemental enzymes can really help.

What Is a Full-Spectrum Digestive Enzyme?

A full-spectrum enzyme supplement is designed to support the breakdown three main macronutrients, proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Sometimes enzyme products include help with fiber and dairy, too. These are typically the best option for overall digestion support, especially if you're not sure what foods are giving you trouble or if you tend to feel heavy or bloated after meals.

Think of it as an all-in-one helper for your digestive system.

Enzymes for Targeted Support

Not every digestive enzyme is a full-spectrum blend. Some are formulated to support specific digestive needs, like:

• Gallbladder support: These enzyme blends usually focus on breaking down fats, often containing higher amounts of lipase and sometimes bile salts to help with fat digestion, especially if you’ve had your gallbladder removed or struggle with greasy foods.

• Dairy support: A supplement high in lactase may help if you’re sensitive to milk, cheese, or ice cream. Some people only need a little help here rather than a full-spectrum enzyme.

• Protein-heavy meals: A protease-heavy enzyme might be useful if you’re eating large amounts of meat or protein-rich meals.

• Carb-heavy meals: You might need more amylase to help break down starches and sugars.

These targeted formulas can be great if you know what type of food is giving you the most trouble.

What About Papaya Enzymes?

Papaya enzymes are some of the most commonly asked-about enzymes in the store. They're gentle, natural, and often chewable. These enzymes (especially papain from papaya and bromelain from pineapple) help primarily with protein digestion, but they’re milder than a full-spectrum blend.

While they’re not as complete as a full-spectrum formula, papaya enzymes can be a great starting point for someone who wants to try something gentle after meals, or for occasional digestive upset.

However, there are papaya enzyme products that include additional enzymes to give them a broader digestive benefit, so be sure to read the label if you’re looking for more comprehensive support.

When and How to Take Digestive Enzymes

In most cases, digestive enzymes are taken right before or with meals to support digestion. If you forget, you can still take them mid-meal or shortly after and still get some benefit.

Some enzymes can be taken on an empty stomach for other benefits (like bromelain for inflammation), but for digestion, timing with meals is key.

What I Tell My Customers

Enzymes aren’t a magic fix, but they can be a powerful tool—especially when your body is asking for support. I personally stick with a full-spectrum digestive enzyme for everyday support, and my favorite is Enzymedica's Digest Spectrum. 

If you’re not sure where to start, I’m always happy to help guide you based on your unique needs. Sometimes it's as simple as learning which enzyme you’re missing and giving your body that little boost can make a world of difference.