Look for delayed release capsules that are enteric coated to help prevent the enzymes from breaking down in the stomach. Dietary fiber can increase the size of your stool and keep it soft, which is important for regular bowel movements. If you’re concerned about digestive enzymes side effects or interactions, the best thing to do is to talk to your health care provider. Make sure any medications you take do not pose the risk for interacting with digestive enzymes.

What exactly do digestive enzymes do? They help turn larger molecules founds in foods (carbs, protein and fats) into more easily absorbed particles (such as amino acids, fatty acids, cholesterol, simple sugars and nucleic acids) that the body can actually use to function and for energy. Probiotics are living microorganisms that contribute to a healthy microbiome and digestive health.* Probiotics can be found in certain foods or taken as supplements. Fabris E, Bulfoni M, Nencioni A, Nencioni E. Intra-laboratory validation of alpha-galactosidase activity measurement in dietary supplements. Molecules. 2021;26(6):1566. doi:10.3390/molecules26061566 They are made without chemical additives or preservatives and have a delicious flavour. They are also chewable so they are the perfect alternative if you do not like to swallow tablets. Digestive enzymes” is a broad term that includes pancreatic enzymes, plant-derived enzymes and fungal-derived enzymes. Digestive enzymes may be able to help alleviate gastrointestinal (GI) issues by helping properly break down the foods you eat.Consider a supplement that contains protease, which helps with protein digestion, if you have an autoimmune or inflammatory condition.

Probiotics and digestive enzymes both support a healthy digestive system, but they’re not the same. Probiotics are living microorganisms that live in your gut and help balance your gut microbiome.* You can think of them as little helpers that help maintain harmony in the gut’s ecosystem. On the other hand, digestive enzymes are non-living proteins that help speed up chemical reactions in your digestive system.* They play a key role in helping to break down food so that your body can absorb the nutrients.* Varayil JE, Bauer BA, Hurt RT. Over-the-counter enzyme supplements: what a clinician needs to know. In: Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 2014;89(9):1307-1312. Elsevier. You can certainly include both probiotics and digestive enzyme supplements in your diet to boost digestive health. Some products contain both probiotics and digestive enzymes.Chakraborty AJ, Mitra S, Tallei TE, et al. Bromelain a potential bioactive compound: a comprehensive overview from a pharmacological perspective. Life (Basel). 2021;11(4):317. doi:10.3390/life11040317 These microorganisms aid digestion and help ensure that any bad bacteria you may consume don’t end up multiplying to a level that can harm your body. 5 Different strains also have different effects, so it’s important to find the strains that are right for you. 6 If you’re unsure, consult a healthcare professional.

An increasing number of people take digestive enzymes today, especially those with certain health conditions. This includes gastrointestinal diseases, such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s, hypochlorhydria (having too little stomach acid), or pancreatic insufficiency (too little pancreatic enzymes). Solgar® Probi® 30 Billion includes 30 billion live cultures in each capsule, and features a patented, clinically-studied strain of Lactobacillus plantarum 299v that supports your digestive health.* One capsule a day helps you maintain good gut and bowel health.*When your bowel movements are too slow, your small intestine may absorb too much water from your stool, resulting in constipation (and more time than you might want to spend in the bathroom). In contrast, bowel movements that are too fast may cause overly watery stools that are expelled before your body can absorb all the important nutrients you need. Probi 30 Billion is also resistant to stomach acid and stays intact until it reaches your gut, where it’s needed most. It is also suitable for women of childbearing age to improve iron absorption.* SOLGAR® ADVANCED 40+ ACIDOPHILUS Is it safe to take digestive enzymes? In most cases, yes, however digestive enzymes side effects can affect some people. It’s generally believed that unless someone has digestion concerns and is experiencing unwanted symptoms, taking enzymes is simply not needed since the body should produce adequate amounts on its own. If you feel like you need a little extra help and support with your digestion, then it may be worth taking an additional digestive enzyme supplement. Prebiotics help bacteria grow. The use of prebiotics and probiotics together supports a more diverse microbiome. When a food source contains both prebiotics and probiotics, the combination is sometimes called synbiotic. Foods that are synbiotic include cheese, kefir, certain types of yogurt, sauerkraut, and kimchi.

Most products contain some level of pancreatin, which is a combination of all three pancreatic enzymes. This multi-strain formula contains 80 billion CFU to provide friendly bacteria to your digestive system.* It also includes Lactobacillus acidophilus La-14® and Bifidobacterium lactis BI-04, which are good bacteria for both the digestive and immune systems.* As a majority of your immune system cells are in your gut, adding this powerful probiotic formulation to your diet can provide the extra support your body may need.* ADVANCED MULTI-BILLION DOPHILUS® Bolten WW, Glade MJ, Raum S, Ritz BW. The safety and efficacy of an enzyme combination in managing knee osteoarthritis pain in adults: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Arthritis, 2015. doi:10.1155/2015/251521You can get probiotics from supplements or from foods that have been prepared with bacterial fermentation. Examples of probiotic foods include yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, tempeh, and kimchi. If you currently take medications or have a chronic health problem, be sure to visit a health practitioner for help with customized enzyme therapy before supplementing on your own. Depending on the drugs you take, your symptoms and medical history, your doctor can determine which are the safest and best digestive enzymes for you to take. You can also ask your pharmacist about any possible interactions that might occur.