Digestive Enzyme
Digestive enzymes are proteins that split food into absorbable parts, such as proteases for protein, lipases for fat and amylases for starch.
Also listed as Digestive Enzymes
Can blends help recurring indigestion?
A 2018 trial assigned 40 adults with functional dyspepsia, a form of recurring indigestion, to a five-enzyme blend or placebo for 60 days. Several symptom scores improved with the blend. The study was small, and its authors were affiliated with the manufacturer, making independent confirmation important. 1
A 2023 trial in 120 adults also found improvements in indigestion-related quality of life, pain and sleep over two months with a fungal enzyme blend. These findings support further study of specific preparations; they do not establish that every enzyme product treats every cause of bloating. 2
What about lactose intolerance?
Lactase products target lactose, the sugar in milk. IQWiG describes possible slight symptom relief in a few small studies, but considers the evidence too weak for a firm conclusion. Individual tolerance and the amount of lactose in a meal still matter. 3
Effects by health goal
Open an effect to see the studies behind its rating. Bars show the size of the effect; the letter grades the evidence.
Gut Health4 effects
No study is linked to this rating.
No study is linked to this rating.
No study is linked to this rating.
No study is linked to this rating.
Other effects2 effects
No study is linked to this rating.