{"id":57795,"date":"2025-01-15T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-01-15T18:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/foodrevolution.org\/?p=57795"},"modified":"2026-09-14T04:37:54","modified_gmt":"2026-09-14T11:37:54","slug":"how-do-digestive-enzymes-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/foodrevolution.org\/blog\/how-do-digestive-enzymes-work\/","title":{"rendered":"Digestive Enzymes: How Do They Work & Should You Supplement?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Some people say you are what you eat. And they have a good point \u2014 but I disagree. It\u2019s probably more accurate to say that you are what you digest. After all, it might not matter how amazingly nutrient-packed your meal is if your body can\u2019t absorb those nutrients.<\/p>\n

Digestion<\/a> plays an important role in the body. It breaks down food into substances that the body uses for energy, growth, and cell repair. Enzymes are critical to this process. However, not everybody makes digestive enzymes efficiently or optimally.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Digestive enzymes are becoming increasingly popular as people look for solutions to problems with nutrient absorption and digestion. But what exactly are digestive enzymes? How do they work? What affects their production? And how can we naturally increase their production?<\/p>\n

We\u2019ll look at all that and more, including who might benefit from taking digestive enzyme supplements.<\/p>\n

What Are Digestive Enzymes?<\/h2>\n
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iStock.com\/skynesher<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Digestive enzymes are proteins your body produces that help you digest your food. Your salivary glands secrete them in the presence of, and in anticipation of, food.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a fun dad joke to help explain:<\/p>\n

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Question: What do you call the proteins secreted by your salivary glands that help you digest food?<\/i><\/p>\n

Answer: I can\u2019t remember, but they\u2019re on the tip of my tongue.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

In fact, these critical enzymes are produced throughout the digestive tract<\/a>, including the pancreas, stomach, and small intestine. Digestive enzymes break down macronutrients into their building blocks for use throughout the body. Different enzymes tackle different macronutrients.<\/p>\n

Enzymes can also play a role<\/a> in liver detoxification and muscle building.<\/p>\n

What Happens If You Don\u2019t Have Enough Enzymes?<\/h2>\n

When people lack sufficient digestive enzymes, their bodies struggle to break down food effectively, leading to a range of issues. Undigested food can remain in the gastrointestinal tract, causing bloating, gas, and discomfort. Over time, this can contribute to nutrient deficiencies as the body cannot properly absorb essential vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.<\/p>\n

Common symptoms of enzyme deficiency include diarrhea, constipation, or indigestion, and more severe deficiencies can lead to fatigue, weakened immunity, and skin problems.<\/strong> For specific enzyme deficiencies, individuals may experience intolerance to certain foods, resulting in additional digestive distress. In chronic cases, insufficient enzymes may contribute to conditions like malabsorption syndromes or exacerbate inflammatory gut issues.<\/p>\n

Types of Digestive Enzymes<\/h2>\n
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iStock.com\/Aleksei Naumov<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There are three main types of digestive enzymes:<\/p>\n