Pros And Cons Of Over-The-Counter Enzyme Supplements

Available only by prescription in the past, enzyme supplements are easy to obtain as over-the-counter supplements these days.  Although in a number of conditions the supplements can provide clear benefits, it appears that they are often used by relatively healthy people who wish to address small concerns such as symptoms of indigestion and bloating.

Those considering to use these supplements should weigh the pros and cons before buying them. You need to know what types of enzymes are in the digestive system, how a particular supplement may benefit you and what are the potential downsides of supplementation. This ensures that you make the right decision for your health.

Learning About Over-the-Counter Digestive Enzyme Supplements

Digestive enzyme supplements come from a variety of sources including various animals, plants or fungi.

Some of the most popular over-the-counter digestive enzyme supplements include:

Bromelain is derived from pineapple pulp and stem and contains several different enzyme. In digestion, it helps to break down proteins. It may also help to alleviate inflammation associated with infection or injury and it may aid in reducing the symptoms of indigestion. As of today, the anti-inflammatory effects of this supplement are being studied to determine how helpful it is in alleviating the arthritis pain. It is established that this enzyme promotes healthy digestion of proteins and this is what most people take it for. It is usually taken with meals, specifically those high in protein.

Lipase aids in the absorption and digestion of fat. Supplements with this enzyme come from pigs, cows, plants and fungi. Lipase supplements also usually include other digestive enzymes, such as lactase, amylase and protease. This enzyme is said to be beneficial in alleviating bloating and gas. Some people have lipase deficiency, and the supplement can be helpful in these cases but must be carefully dosed to alleviate the deficiency. Lipase supplements may be considered for Crohn's disease, celiac disease and cystic fibrosis. Ideally, a lipase supplement is taken 30 minutes before eating.

Papain comes from papaya fruit and is thought to help digest proteins and fats.

It is important to not take high doses because it can injure the throat. Those allergic to figs, kiwi and papaya should avoid this supplement.

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Lactase comes from the small intestine and helps to digest a dairy product sugar known as lactose. Someone is considered to be lactose intolerant when they have low levels of this enzyme. Those with lactose intolerance cannot eat most dairy products without experiencing uncomfortable digestive symptoms, such as bloating, diarrhea and stomach cramping. Some people can take a lactase supplement before they drink milk or eat dairy products and avoid the symptoms. In some cases, there are lactase enzymes that people can add to milk that allows them to drink it without any lactose intolerance symptoms.

Potential Benefits Of Over-The-Counter Enzyme Supplements

People with a number of medical conditions can clearly benefit from the digestive enzyme supplementation. Digestive enzymes may be used for those with pancreatic insufficiency to help replace the enzymes that the pancreas produces.

These enzymes may also be helpful for:

• Celiac disease
• Heartburn
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Crohn's disease
• Indigestion
• Pancreatitis
• Ulcerative colitis

There are four conditions for which digestive enzymes have been studied, including:

• Irritable bowel syndrome: The pancrealipase digestive enzyme may help with some irritable bowel syndrome symptoms. The results from the clinical trial involving 69 patients, some of which took a placebo and some of which got the actual enzyme, show that those with the actual enzyme had a big reduction in bloating, cramping and pain.
• Cancer: Cancer treatment can cause an array of digestive side effects. Studies show that the proteolytic enzymes may be helpful in alleviate some of the digestive symptoms that occur with radiation therapy and chemotherapy, such as fatigue, nausea and weight loss.
• Inflammatory bowel disease: While the research is only preliminary, the type of inflammatory bowel disease called colitis may be helped by certain digestive enzymes. Bromelain has anti-inflammatory properties and this may aid in reducing the inflammation associated with this disease. So far, the research has only been performed on mice.
• Arthritis: Some research suggests that the digestive enzyme bromelain may be effective in alleviating the pain of arthritis. Nine clinical trials have been performed to see how arthritis patients respond to bromelain. The results show that this digestive enzyme may be nearly as helpful as the prescription medication diclofenac. Diclofenac is a type of medication that is classified as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that helps to alleviate the inflammation, pain and stiffness associated with this condition.

Potential Disadvantages of Over-the-Counter Enzyme Supplements

Those taking digestive enzymes may experience certain problems such as stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. There is also a small risk of allergic reaction. For the most part, those taking the amounts listed on the packages usually do not have any serious problems because over-the-counter digestive enzymes are relatively safe.

See Also: Too Many Dietary Supplements May Jeopardize Your Health

It is important to follow the dosing recommendations exactly to reduce the risk of side effects and potential problems.

Before you head out to buy an over-the-counter enzyme supplement, talk to your doctor. You want to make sure that this supplement will be safe and beneficial for you. Many people take supplements without truly understanding their benefits and disadvantages, and this can be rather dangerous, especially when they are used for lengthy periods of time. The risk of serious problems is very low, but it is still important to make sure that a particular type of supplement you intend to take will really help you.