Collection: Digestive Enzyme Supplements

Digestive enzymes are catalytic proteins that help break food into smaller molecules your body can absorb. Key types include amylase (carbohydrates → sugars), protease (proteins → peptides/amino acids), and lipase (fats → fatty acids/glycerol). They’re produced in the salivary glands, stomach, pancreas, and small intestine, and secretion rises in response to eating. Supplements provide additional enzyme activity alongside what your body makes, which can be useful for meals that are richer than usual or when specific foods (e.g., dairy) are troublesome. They don’t replace balanced nutrition or medical care, but they can reduce post-meal heaviness, gas, and bloating when well matched to the meal. Choose a targeted enzyme for a known trigger (like lactase for dairy) or a broad blend for mixed plates.

Consider them if you consistently feel heavy, bloated, or gassy after certain meals, or if high-protein, creamy, or starchy dishes leave you uncomfortable. Start with a narrow goal: identify the main trigger foods, then select a blend that matches (protease for protein-heavy meals, lipase for high-fat meals, amylase for starchy meals). Take the dose right before or with the first bites. Track a two-week trial using simple notes on symptoms, timing, and portion sizes. If symptoms persist despite sensible eating and proper timing, consult a clinician to rule out conditions like IBS, coeliac disease, gallbladder issues, or SIBO. Enzymes support digestion; they don’t fix unrelated causes of abdominal discomfort.

They help your gut handle macronutrients more efficiently, which can translate into less bloating, reduced post-meal fullness, and more predictable bowel habits after trigger meals. For example, lactase helps digest lactose in dairy; proteases assist with protein-heavy plates; lipase helps with rich, fatty dishes. Some blends add alpha-galactosidase for legumes or cellulase/hemicellulase for plant fibres. Benefits depend on matching the enzyme to the food and taking it at the right time. They’re not weight-loss pills or a license to routinely overeat; think of them as a practical tool for specific meals. For reliable options and fast delivery across South Africa, The Good Stuff keeps trusted brands in stock.

Many. “Chemical digestion” is the umbrella for enzyme-driven breakdown throughout the GI tract. Amylase in saliva begins starch digestion; pepsin in the stomach starts protein breakdown; pancreatic enzymes (amylase, trypsin/chymotrypsin as proteases, and lipase) continue the heavy lifting in the small intestine, aided by bile for fat emulsification. Brush-border enzymes (like lactase, sucrase, maltase) finish the job at the intestinal lining. No single enzyme handles everything; different foods require different catalysts. When choosing a supplement, mirror this diversity by matching the formula to your typical meals.

Digestive enzymes aren’t antifungals. Some proteases and cellulases may help break down components in foods that feed symptoms or improve general digestion, which can indirectly reduce bloating people sometimes attribute to “Candida.” If you suspect an overgrowth, consult a clinician for proper evaluation and treatment. Focus on steady meals with adequate protein and fibre, good sleep, and stress management; these do more for overall gut comfort than any single supplement. Enzymes can be an adjunct for meal comfort, not a cure.

They’re not weight-loss agents. Enzymes assist in breaking down food; they don’t inherently burn fat or suppress appetite. However, by improving comfort after meals, some people find it easier to choose balanced portions and keep consistent eating patterns. Weight change comes from overall energy balance, activity, and sleep/stress patterns. Use enzymes to support comfortable meals, not as a shortcut. If weight loss is your goal, pair nutrition habits with movement and professional guidance.

Your body produces enzymes (saliva, stomach, pancreas, small intestine). Foods can also supply natural enzymes — ripe pineapple (bromelain) and papaya (papain) provide proteolytic activity; fermented foods add microbial enzymes. Supplements deliver standardized activity units across amylase, protease, lipase, and specialty enzymes like lactase or alpha-galactosidase. Choose food-based or microbial-derived sources if you prefer plant-origin products, and check labels for activity units (e.g., FCC) rather than just milligrams.

Generally, yes when used as directed around meals. Potential side effects include mild nausea, stomach upset, or diarrhoea if taken on an empty stomach or dosed too high. Allergies can occur with fruit-derived enzymes (papain, bromelain) in sensitive individuals. If you have ulcers, pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, or are on anticoagulants, seek medical advice first. Start low, take with food, and stop if you experience persistent discomfort. Always read labels and follow dosing guidance.

Yes — they play different roles. Enzymes help digest the current meal; probiotics influence the gut’s microbial balance over time. Many people take enzymes at mealtime and probiotics away from food or as directed. If you’re sensitive, introduce one at a time for two weeks to see what does what. Combine with fibre-rich foods and adequate hydration to support regularity.

They work when matched to the foods that challenge you and taken at the right time (right before or with the first bites). Evidence is strongest for specific scenarios like lactose intolerance (lactase) and for reducing post-meal discomfort when meals are heavy. They’re supportive tools, not cures for underlying disease. If you see no benefit after a careful two-week trial, reassess timing, dose, and whether the formula fits your meals — or speak to a clinician.

They lower the activation energy required to break chemical bonds in food, speeding up the breakdown of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats into absorbable units. Without adequate enzyme activity, large molecules linger, which can contribute to bloating and discomfort. By adding the right enzyme at the right time, you make digestion more efficient and reduce the workload on your GI tract for certain meals.

Use them when needed. If certain meals predictably cause issues, daily use around those meals is reasonable. There’s no need to take them with every bite if you feel fine. Long-term daily use is generally considered acceptable for healthy adults, but it’s smart to review periodically whether you still need them and to prioritise balanced meals and mindful portions.

They provide extra enzyme activity to help break down macronutrients in your meal, aiming to reduce post-meal heaviness, gas, and bloating. Broad blends cover multiple food types; targeted products (like lactase) address specific triggers. They’re adjuncts to, not replacements for, dietary balance and medical care when underlying conditions exist.

They catalyse the stepwise breakdown of food from complex structures into absorbable molecules: starch to simple sugars, proteins to amino acids, fats to fatty acids and glycerol. This staged process occurs from mouth to small intestine, coordinated with stomach acid and bile. Adequate enzyme activity supports efficient nutrient absorption and comfortable digestion.

In supplements, they’re used to support digestion of particular meals — especially those rich in the macronutrient you struggle with (e.g., fats, proteins, lactose). Clinically, specific enzymes (like pancreatic enzymes) are prescribed for conditions involving enzyme insufficiency. For everyday shoppers, the goal is simple: feel lighter after meals that used to weigh you down.

They accelerate chemical reactions that break down food, enabling absorption through the intestinal lining. Each enzyme has a substrate: amylase for starch, protease for proteins, lipase for fats, and brush-border enzymes like lactase and sucrase for specific sugars. The coordinated action ensures efficient digestion and nutrient uptake.

Right before or with the first bites of your meal. Timing matters: taking them too early (long before eating) or too late (after finishing) reduces effectiveness. For snacks, smaller doses often suffice. For dairy-specific issues, take lactase immediately before consuming lactose-containing foods.

No over-the-counter enzyme can make gluten safe for people with coeliac disease. Some multi-protease blends include enzymes (like prolyl endopeptidases) that can help break down certain gluten peptides, potentially reducing occasional discomfort in non-coeliac individuals. These are not a substitute for a gluten-free diet when medically indicated. For dependable products and fast delivery across South Africa, shop via The Good Stuff — we stock transparent labels so you can make informed choices.