Signs Your Body Needs Digestive Enzymes

You know that uncomfortable feeling after a big meal like you feel bloating, gas, or just feeling way too full? It happens to everyone sometimes. But if it happens a lot, there’s a chance your digestive system might not be keeping up. That’s where digestive enzymes come in. They’re proteins your body uses to break down food and absorb nutrients, and sometimes people need a little extra help.

Digestive enzyme tablets have become more popular for tackling bloating, heartburn, and other gut issues. But how do you know if they’re actually necessary? And more importantly, how do you tell if they’re working?

What Are Digestive Enzymes Anyway?

So, let’s start simple. Digestive enzymes are basically your body’s helpers. When you eat, digestion doesn’t just suddenly happen:

1. It starts the moment food hits your mouth. 
2. Saliva contains something called amylase, which begins breaking down carbs right away. 
3. Then the stomach and small intestine take over, using enzymes from the pancreas to further break down food into nutrients your body can use.

The pancreas is really the powerhouse here. It makes the main enzymes that help digest carbs, proteins, and fats. Without them, your body struggles to get energy and nutrients from food.

The Key Enzymes You Should Know

There are a few big players:

• Amylase: breaks down carbs
• Lipase: breaks down fats
• Protease: breaks down proteins
• Lactase & Sucrase: target specific sugars like lactose and sucrose

There are also other enzymes, like alpha-galactosidase, which help digest certain fibres in beans and vegetables. Some people get this from digestive enzymes tablets, especially if their bodies don’t naturally produce enough.

When Enzymes Are Low

Sometimes your body just doesn’t produce enough digestive enzymes. This is called digestive enzyme insufficiency, and it can make it tough to digest food properly or absorb nutrients.

Some common types of insufficiency include:

• Congenital sucrase-isomaltase deficiency low sucrase for digesting certain sugars
• Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) which the pancreas doesn’t produce enough enzymes for carbs, proteins, and fats
• Lactose intolerance not enough lactase to digest dairy

How to Spot Low That You’re Enzymes

Here’s the tricky part: it can look like regular digestive discomfort. But some signs you might have low enzymes include:

1. Feeling bloated or gassy often
2. Belly pain or cramps
3. Diarrhoea or oily stools
4. Feeling overly full after meals, especially after eating meat or protein-heavy foods
5. Unexplained weight loss
6. Nutrient deficiencies like B12 or iron

If this is happening a lot, it’s worth seeing your doctor. Sometimes, it could be more serious, like EPI or chronic pancreatitis.

Digestive Enzymes vs Probiotics

People often confuse digestive enzymes with probiotics. Digestive enzymes break down your food; probiotics are live bacteria that help maintain a healthy gut. Good bacteria support digestion but don’t break down food directly.

Think of it like this: enzymes are the tools, and probiotics are the team that keeps your gut environment healthy so the tools can work properly. Without good bacteria, you might get bloating and gas, even if your enzymes are fine.

Why Enzyme Levels Can Drop

Low enzyme production can happen for a few reasons:

• Genetics: Some deficiencies are congenital.
• Medical conditions: Chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, pancreatic cancer, or surgeries affecting the gut can reduce enzymes.
• Diet and lifestyle: Highly processed foods, too much fat, and chronic stress may affect enzyme function over time.

Can Supplements Help?

1. Prescription Enzymes

If your doctor diagnoses you with enzyme insufficiency, they might prescribe pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT). This contains amylase, lipase, and protease, helping your body digest carbs, proteins, and fats. People with cystic fibrosis or chronic pancreatitis often rely on PERT to absorb nutrients properly.

2. Over-the-Counter Digestive Enzymes Tablets

Lots of people try digestive enzymes tablets for minor digestive issues like bloating, gas, or diarrhoea. These usually contain a mix of amylase, lipase, protease, lactase, or alpha-galactosidase. But here’s the catch: they’re not strictly regulated, so strength and ingredients can vary.

Can You Get Enzymes From Food?

Pineapple, papaya, and similar foods have enzymes. But the evidence suggests they don’t really improve digestion much. Instead, focus on a balanced diet: lean proteins, vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Cutting back on processed and fatty foods does more for digestion than enzyme-rich foods alone.

Signs You Might Need Enzyme Support

You might consider trying digestive enzymes if you notice:

• Feeling heavy or bloated after meals
• Gas or food in your stool
• Constipation or diarrhoea
• Nutrient deficiencies
• Post-gallbladder surgery digestive issues

Many people report feeling relief within 30–60 minutes of taking digestive enzymes tablets with a meal. That’s one way to figure out how to tell if digestive enzymes are working.

Safety First

• Pregnancy: Generally safe, but check with your doctor.
• Overuse: Too many can cause diarrhoea, cramps, or nausea.
• Testing for deficiency: Stool elastase (FE-1) tests check for low pancreatic enzyme levels.

How Long Does It Take for Enzymes to Work?

Enzymes start working as soon as they meet food. Some people notice reduced bloating or discomfort during a meal or shortly afterward. Stool consistency and nutrient absorption can improve over days of regular use.

Nutrition Tips to Support Digestion

Supporting your natural enzymes through diet can make a real difference:

• Lean proteins: Eggs, fish, chicken, tofu
• Fibre: Vegetables, fruits, whole grains
• Fermented foods: Yogurt, kefir, kimchi

These foods help the body make and use enzymes efficiently, while fermented foods maintain a healthy gut microbiome.

Wrapping It Up

Digestive enzymes tablets, can be helpful if you have a diagnosed insufficiency. But for most of us, a balanced diet, proper hydration, and lifestyle choices are enough to keep digestion running smoothly.

Learning how to tell if digestive enzymes tablets are working like noticing less bloating, gas, or better stool consistency helps you know if supplementation is right for you. If issues persist, your doctor can guide you toward prescription therapy or the best digestive enzymes supplement for your needs.