The Best Supplements For Digestive Health – May earn compensation for using affiliate links in this story. Learn more about our team and product review process here.
The best digestive enzyme to help you with depends on the type of food you need to help with digestion.
The Best Supplements For Digestive Health
You can never pay too much attention to your digestive enzymes – the molecules in your gut that help break down food – unless they’re not working properly. However, if you can’t break down food properly, your body can’t absorb it, which can lead to health problems.
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This is where digestive enzyme supplements come in. For some people, these supplements can help the body break down certain indigestion foods, relieve indigestion symptoms and help the body absorb nutrients better.
Here’s who will benefit from using these enzymes, what to look for in a supplement, and which products are best to buy based on your needs and budget.
To choose the best digestive enzymes, we used the available research on when and how digestive enzymes can help. (More on this in a moment.) We look for products that meet the following criteria:
While it’s tempting to self-diagnose with a simple internet search, it’s always a good idea to check with your doctor before taking a supplement (or any other treatment) for digestive problems.
Supplements For Digestive Support
This is especially true when it comes to digestive enzymes, as many over-the-counter options are ineffective, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
However, if you fall into the third category, your doctor will give you a specially formulated mixture so you don’t need an over-the-counter supplement.
If you have a healthy diet and do not have digestive problems, you do not need to take a digestive enzyme. If you notice the unpleasant effects of eating certain foods, make an appointment with a doctor who will make a diagnosis and plan treatment.
First, remember that the FDA does not regulate supplements in the same way as prescription drugs, which means that it does not guarantee that supplements are safe, effective, or contain the ingredients they claim to have before they hit store shelves.
Balincer Digestive Enzyme Supplement
Third-party testing means that a lab – except one related to the supplement company – tests the product to make sure it contains what it claims, not just the ingredients, but also the amount of those ingredients.
Oftentimes, independent labs also check for heavy metal contamination and whether the supplement will break down in the body for proper absorption, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements.
The most popular third-party testing labs are USP, NSF, and Consumer Labs. If the supplement has been tested by a third party, some type of seal may appear on the bottle.
The FDA requires additional companies to comply with current good practices (CGMP), or quality control procedures.
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Digestive enzyme supplements can contain a wide range of ingredients, and if you don’t know exactly what you need, you may choose one that doesn’t suit your digestive needs.
Because digestive enzymes are released when certain foods are eaten, you may not need all the digestive enzymes provided. For example, if you are lactose intolerant and looking for a lactase supplement, you do not need a fat digestion supplement.
Healthy Origins digestive enzymes have been third party tested. This supplement contains a mixture of all macronutrient digestive enzymes (as a reminder, macros carbohydrates, protein and fat), and alpha-galactosidase and lactase.
This supplement is manufactured in a CGMP facility and is available at an affordable price. It checks all the boxes for what you might look for in a high-quality supplement and selects the best options.
Dr. Gutman’s® Natural Digestive Probiotic Multi Enzymes For Digestive Health
Active ingredients: amylase, protease, peptidase, alpha-galactosidase, glucoamylase, pectinase, cellulase, lipase, lactase, beta-glucanase, diastase , invertase, hemicellulase | Supplement form: capsule Dosage: 1 capsule
NOW Optimal Digestive System contains a blend of plant enzymes that help digest carbohydrates, fats and proteins. It also contains alpha-galactosidase, which additionally aids in the digestion of food that produces large amounts of gas.
This supplement company complies with CGMP set by the FDA and is free from many major ingredients – soy, nuts, milk and eggs.
The pill size is medium to large, so keep this in mind when choosing a supplement if you have difficulty swallowing large pills.
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Unfortunately, there is not much research on the effectiveness of digestive enzymes in treating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). According to Monash University (where the low FODMAP diet for IBS was developed), the majority of IBS research and enzymes include lactase and alpha-galactosidase. Digestive enzymes can help when used with other treatments, such as changing your diet.
If you have IBS, you may be sensitive to foods containing galactooligosaccharides (GOS). According to Monash University, GOS can be found in foods such as cashews, pistachios, soybeans, green peas and beans. Monash researchers also found that alpha-galactosidase taken before and after meals can reduce IBS symptoms, according to a small paper published in January 2018 in the American Journal of Gastroenterology.
Beano, despite its funny name, is an active alpha-galactosidase supplement that can relieve IBS symptoms such as bloating associated with high GOS foods.
Garden of Life digestive enzymes are third party certified vegan, USDA organic and gluten-free. Not only do you get a plant-based mix, but you get fruits and vegetables to support digestive health and lactase to help break down milk.
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Garden of Life is a well-known and respected brand of herbal supplements. Products from this brand tend to be more expensive, but if you choose an organic vegan supplement that you can feel confident in, the extra cost may be worth it for your peace of mind.
Active ingredients: 13 enzymes, including bromelain and lactase, and prebiotic fiber | Supplement form: chewable tablet Dosage: 1 tablet
When you eat something with high amounts of lactose – milk, ice cream, yogurt – the lactose is broken down into glucose and galactose in the body. Lactase is the enzyme responsible for taking care of this for you.
In some cases, you may not produce enough lactase to break down all the lactose you consume. If this is you, digestive problems related to dairy consumption (such as bloating, gas, nausea, or diarrhea) are the first sign that there is a problem.
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If you are sure that lactose is a problem, you should consider taking a digestive aid that contains lactase if you wish to continue using milk. This is a tried-and-tested, low-cost third-party option—very important if you use it regularly. We’ve consulted with our team of licensed dietitians and nutritionists to provide you with informed advice on foods, health measures, and nutritional products that will guide you safely and effectively in making better food and nutritional choices. We try to only recommend products that fit our philosophy of eating better while enjoying what you eat.
Product recommendations in this post are those of the author and/or the experts interviewed and do not contain affiliate links. Meaning: If you use these links to buy something, we will not receive a commission.
With the explosion of gut health products regularly appearing on store shelves, or the popularity of the hashtag #guttok on TikTok, it’s clear that gut health is a hot topic right now. And when it comes to things people do to support gut health and digestion, certain gut health supplements are very popular.
In fact, the market for digestive supplements is projected to reach $10 billion in revenue by 2022, which shows how many people are turning to supplements to support gut health, digestive system, and gut bacteria balance.
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If you’re one of the many people who are told how important it is to support gut health and are wondering what supplements to include in your diet, read on to find out which ones we consider “the best.” ” Of course, not all supplements will be suitable for everyone, and it is recommended to get the green light from your doctor before starting any of these options.
Peppermint has been shown to increase bile flow, which helps the body break down fat. In addition, using this herb can help relax the stomach muscles, and this ingredient has been shown to have a positive effect on people with IBS.
Hilma Gas Relief is made by combining peppermint leaves with other ingredients that support gut health such as fennel and lemon balm, making it ideal for people who want to include these ingredients in their diet.
Ginger root has anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and anti-ulcer properties – all of which can support gut health. Some data show that in addition to reducing nausea, regular consumption can prevent the growth of h pylori, a bacteria that can infect the stomach and increase the risk of stomach ulcers or stomach cancer.
Gut Health Supplements
NOW Foods Ginger Capsules contain 250 milligrams of ginger root and are 100% vegan-friendly, dairy-free and soy-free.
Certain types of probiotics – live bacteria – can support gut health by helping to maintain “good” bacterial diversity and