Digestive enzymes are supplemental versions of the enzymes your pancreas and intestines produce: protease (protein), lipase (fat), amylase (starch), lactase (lactose), and various others. Our research shows strong evidence for specific clinical enzyme deficiencies (pancreatic insufficiency, lactose intolerance, alpha-galactosidase for beans) but WEAK evidence for general "digestive support" in healthy people. The pancreas produces 1,500-3,000mL of enzyme-rich fluid daily — supplementing enzymes when your pancreas works fine is like putting air in a tire that isn't flat. The exceptions: aging reduces enzyme output, and specific foods require enzymes we don't produce (Beano for galactooligosaccharides, lactase for lactose-intolerant individuals).
Supplemental enzymes work by augmenting or replacing deficient endogenous enzymes: (1) Lipase breaks triglycerides into monoglycerides + free fatty acids — critical for fat absorption and fat-soluble vitamin uptake; (2) Protease (pepsin, trypsin, chymotrypsin) breaks proteins into peptides and amino acids; (3) Amylase breaks starch into maltose and glucose; (4) Lactase (β-galactosidase) breaks lactose into glucose + galactose — deficient in ~65% of adults globally; (5) Alpha-galactosidase breaks galactooligosaccharides (raffinose, stachyose) in beans/cruciferous vegetables that humans CANNOT produce endogenously. Enzymes must survive stomach acid and be present in the duodenum when chyme arrives — pH-resistant or enteric-coated formulations are preferred for pancreatic replacement.
Reviewed by the Scan Dose Research Team and Clinical Advisory Board | Last updated:
Not medical advice. Based on published clinical research and systematic reviews.