Digestive Enzymes 101: From Amylase to Xylanase

Enzymes are biologically active proteins that serve as catalysts, speeding up and triggering chemical reactions in all cells. Digestive enzymes, specifically, are secreted by the digestive system to break down food into essential nutrients used for energy and other biological processes. Different macronutrients are digested at different stages, with help from the stomach, small intestine, liver and pancreas, the primary producer of digestive enzymes. 

Enzymes are specialists, with each category targeting a specific nutrient. Digestive enzymes – especially the high-potency ones in Enzyme Science formulas – help relieve occasional digestive discomfort.* They are crucial for digestion, helping maximize assimilation of nutrients and turn food into energy.*

Read on for a helpful guide to digestive enzymes that you can share with clients — and bookmark this blog post for future reference. 

Types of Digestive Enzymes

• Proteases break down proteins into amino acids, which are necessary for building healthy muscle mass. They are crucial for cognitive support and cellular regeneration. 
• Lipases break down dietary fats. They help with the absorption of the fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K).
• Amylases break down carbohydrates (starches). Without sufficient amounts of lipase enzymes, partially digested carbohydrates ferment in the colon. This can lead to occasional gas and bloating, due to the carbon dioxide and water produced. 
• Cellulase breaks down cellulose, or fiber. While the body produces the other enzymes listed above, cellulase comes from the microflora in your gut. 

Here’s a quick guide to all the digestive enzymes found in Enzyme Science formulas: 

Up to 20% of adults in the United States experience food intolerances due to insufficient enzyme levels. However, digestive enzyme supplements can help manage symptoms. Digestive enzyme supplements can help relieve symptoms caused by improperly digested food, such as gas, bloating, changes in bowel movements, occasional heartburn and/or indigestion.*

The supplements are generally well-tolerated and can be taken as needed. Most importantly, taking a digestive enzyme supplement will not interfere with the body’s natural production. 

Enzyme Science uses proprietary Thera-blend™ technology to create blends of enzymes that are formulated to work across the diverse pH levels found throughout the entire digestive system.

Explore our digestive enzyme formulas: 

Complete Digestion™ is our digestive enzyme formula for mild to moderate digestive discomforts.* Includes 125 million CFU shelf-stable probiotics.

Critical Digestion™ is our maximum strength digestive enzyme formula, to eliminate occasional discomforts like gas, bloating and indigestion.* With 1 billion CFU guaranteed-potency probiotics.

Enzyme Science Digest Gold™ is a high potency, probiotic-free formula to help break down all the components of a meal.*

Intolerance Complex™ provides specialized enzymes for the most common food intolerances (including gluten, casein, lactose, complex carbohydrate and phenol sensitivities).*

Lypo Optimize™ provides a high-potency lipase blend to promote quick and efficient fat digestion.*