Digestive Enzymes and Digestive Enzyme Supplements

Are you getting proper nourishment through raw, organic food? If not, then you may need to supplement with digestive enzymes. Not only do most people lose nutrients in their food by cooking it, but our society is also bombarded with processed food that has a low enzyme content.

So, what exactly are digestive enzymes?

Naturally occurring digestive enzymes are protein-based molecules that help break down food into nutrients our body can use. However, many people take digestive enzyme supplements as an important component for optimal gut health and better nutrient absorption. They’re particularly useful for anyone suffering from digestive disorders since they can also help ease symptoms of bloating, acid reflux, gas, or diarrhea. 

But with the increasing popularity of digestive enzyme supplements these days, who should really be taking them? Are they safe for anyone to take? In this article, we will delve into how digestive enzymes work versus probiotics, learn the symptoms of digestive enzyme insufficiency, what conditions might cause it, and inform you about one of the best choices for fermented probiotics with added digestive enzymes. Then you can be on your way to better digestion!

Digestive Enzymes vs. Probiotics: What’s the difference?

You may have heard of digestive enzymes and probiotics as two important components for optimal gut health, but they have different roles to play. Digestive enzymes are proteins that help the body break down food into nutrients, while probiotics are beneficial bacteria or yeasts that can improve gut health when taken as a supplement or through food sources. 

Digestive enzymes work in tandem with stomach acid to break down carbohydrates, fats, and proteins from food into smaller molecules, so our bodies can absorb them easily. While the body produces its own enzymes, it’s equally important to receive digestive enzymes from the food we eat or through supplementation. For people who experience various digestive health issues or aren’t able to produce a sufficient amount of enzymes, they will need to receive additional enzymes through a quality over-the-counter product.

On the other hand, probiotics are live bacteria that help maintain a healthy balance of good bacteria in our intestines. They help with nutrient absorption and boost immunity against disease-causing bacteria. However, they cannot help the body break down or digest food as digestive enzymes do. You can take them in supplement form or consume them by eating high-probiotic foods like yogurt, kimchi, sauerkraut, or other fermented foods. 

Both digestive enzymes and probiotics work together synergistically to promote better overall digestion. However, it is essential to remember their individual functions when selecting supplements. Although they complement each other, they shouldn’t be confused.

Symptoms of Digestive Enzyme Insufficiency

Digestive enzyme insufficiency occurs when there is an inadequate amount of enzymes present in the digestive system to break down food.  Symptoms can range from mild to severe and often vary depending on which type of enzyme is lacking. 

Common signs include bloating, gas, indigestion, abdominal discomfort after eating, nausea, and constipation or diarrhea. Other symptoms may include fatigue after meals due to poor absorption of nutrients, as well as weight loss caused by malabsorption syndrome. In more serious cases, individuals with digestive enzyme deficiency can experience difficulty gaining weight and have a weakened immune system due to malnutrition. Digestive enzymes help create metabolic efficiency, so an insufficiency can make it hard for you to either lose or gain weight. 

If you suspect you are experiencing these symptoms, you must consult your doctor. They will be able to diagnose any underlying causes, such as pancreatic diseases or cystic fibrosis, which would require medical intervention as soon as possible.

If you have poor digestive health from a lack of good gut bacteria, it can mimic symptoms of digestive enzyme deficiency. If your body has an imbalanced gut, you may experience symptoms like skin rashes, fatigue, unexplained weight gain, or sleep issues. You may even experience symptoms of a leaky gut, which can cause headaches, confusion, skin problems, joint pain, chronic diarrhea, and more. 

It’s important to recognize these warning signs and speak to your doctor or naturopath right away to help distinguish between an insufficiency in digestive enzymes and gut bacteria imbalance.

What Conditions Can Cause Digestive Enzyme Insufficiency?

If you suspect you are insufficient in digestive enzymes or you have been recently diagnosed with it, it’s important to get to the root cause of the matter. Not having sufficient digestive enzymes can be caused by a variety of conditions, such as pancreatic diseases or cystic fibrosis. 

Pancreatic diseases, including pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer, disrupt the production of enzymes necessary for digestion in the pancreas. When there is a lack of digestive enzymes being produced, it can cause diarrhea, bloating, and other unpleasant digestion symptoms. At the point of there being no digestive enzymes available, usually, 90 percent of the pancreas has already lost its ability to function. 

Cystic fibrosis is an inherited condition that affects many parts of the body (including the respiratory system) but also results in reduced digestive enzyme production. The majority of people who have been diagnosed with cystic fibrosis should have been recommended to take digestive enzyme supplements. Supplementing can help the individual better digest nutrients after each meal. Other possible causes include Celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, and chronic liver failure—all of which interfere with nutrient absorption. 

In addition to medical conditions, aging can also lead to lower levels of digestive enzymes, as our bodies naturally produce fewer enzymes as we age. This can lead to irritating digestive symptoms as more undigested food passes into the colon after eating. 

Lastly, long-term use of some medications like antibiotics can reduce beneficial bacteria populations in our gut. This can result in less nutritional absorption from food due to insufficient amounts of digestive enzymes present. If you have recently taken antibiotics—especially repeat doses—you may experience more bloating, gas, and diarrhea than usual. They also affect the balance of good bacteria in your gut, which is why many people choose to supplement with both digestive enzymes and probiotics following a prescription of antibiotics.

It is important to understand your individual health when determining if you are having symptoms associated with low levels or lack of digestive enzymes. The issue could be indicative of a greater underlying issue requiring medical attention that you may not be aware of. 

After consulting with your doctor, if they determine there is no serious underlying cause, then taking certain supplements containing both probiotics and added digestive enzymes may help improve digestion and overall gut health. However, make sure you consult your doctor or trusted health professional before beginning any new supplement regime! For anyone who isn’t recommended prescription enzyme replacement therapy, over-the-counter digestive enzymes are a great option to add to your daily routine.

PRO EM-1 Liquid Probiotics: A Fermented Probiotic with Digestive Enzymes

Are you ready to say goodbye to poor gut health for good? PRO EM-1 Liquid Probiotics is a fermented probiotic supplement containing both beneficial bacteria cultures and added digestive enzymes. This product can help you support your overall gut health and digestion by providing you with essential nutrients from food that would otherwise be unavailable due to low enzyme production. 

The unique combination of probiotics and digestive enzymes gives it an advantage over other products on the market because it can provide more comprehensive support for optimal digestion. With its potency, PRO EM-1 Liquid Probiotics can help balance beneficial bacteria populations in the intestines. It’s necessary for improving nutrient absorption, boosting immunity against disease-causing bacteria, and providing additional energy needed for daily activities. 

In addition, this liquid form offers superior absorption when compared to the traditional capsule or tablet forms. You can be sure you’re getting the full benefits of the product without any loss of potency during transit or storage. Live probiotics in pill form must be refrigerated to preserve the good bacteria for use.

Finally, its natural ingredients make it safe for long-term use—providing users with an effective solution for improved gut health without having to worry about potential negative side effects often associated with artificial supplements.

In conclusion, digestive enzymes and probiotics are two very different yet important components of a balanced, healthy diet. Digestive enzymes help the body break down food while probiotics introduce beneficial bacteria that keep your bodies microbiome balanced. They suppress bad bacteria and boost your count of beneficial bacteria as well as provide fuel to your immune system. When digestive enzymes become insufficient due to lifestyle choices or medical conditions, probiotics can help replace the lost functionality. 

PRO EM-1 Liquid Probiotic is a great choice for individuals looking for both digestive enzymes and helpful microorganisms in one easy-to-administer dose. If you’re ready to restore your gut health, regain your energy, and reduce problematic digestive symptoms, then order yours today!