Digestive Enzymes: What They Do and How They Help Your Gut

When you eat, your body doesn’t just absorb food whole—it needs to break it down first. That’s where digestive enzymes, proteins that split food into absorbable nutrients like sugars, amino acids, and fatty acids. These enzymes are made naturally in your mouth, stomach, pancreas, and small intestine. Without them, even healthy food turns into trouble: bloating, gas, diarrhea, or undigested bits in your stool. You might think it’s just "bad digestion," but often it’s a lack of these tiny chemical workers.

Some people make enough enzymes naturally. Others don’t. That’s why pancreatic enzymes, enzymes produced by the pancreas to digest fats, proteins, and carbs are critical. If you’ve had pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, or even chronic acid reflux, your pancreas might not be doing its job. Then there’s enzyme deficiency, a condition where the body doesn’t produce enough enzymes to process certain foods—common with lactose intolerance (lacking lactase) or gluten sensitivity (lacking proteases). Even aging can lower enzyme output. You don’t need a lab test to suspect it: if dairy makes you swell, beans leave you gassy, or you feel full after just a few bites, your enzymes might be lagging.

That’s where enzyme supplements, over-the-counter pills containing plant, fungal, or animal-derived enzymes to aid digestion come in. They’re not magic, but they can be a game-changer. For example, taking a lipase supplement before a fatty meal can reduce bloating. A bromelain or papain pill after steak might ease discomfort. But here’s the catch: supplements won’t fix underlying problems like SIBO, IBS, or low stomach acid. They just help you get through the meal. And not all supplements are equal—some are useless, others are backed by real studies. The ones that work usually list specific enzyme types and strengths: amylase for carbs, lipase for fats, protease for proteins.

What you’ll find in the posts below isn’t just theory. It’s real-life advice from people who’ve struggled with digestive issues and found what actually helps. You’ll see how digestive enzymes relate to IBS-Mixed, why some people get relief from enzyme supplements while others don’t, and how gut health connects to things like gastroenteritis and herbal interactions. There’s no one-size-fits-all fix here. But there are clear patterns—what works, what doesn’t, and when to ask for more than a pill.