Your Guide To The Top 5 Digestive Enzymes Of 2024

Updated 04/18/2024

Did You Choose The Right Enzyme Supplement? 

Digestive enzyme supplements have flooded the market, and for good reason. These digestive aids can soothe stomach upset and boost digestion. 

Unfortunately, there are so many different enzymes, formulas, and serving sizes that it can be confusing to find the right product. Many of us struggle to understand what digestive enzymes are in the first place. Some brands have taken advantage of our confusion by stuffing their products with more  additives than actual enzymes, and hiding them all under the guise of a "proprietary formula." 

That's why Consumer Survey created a guide to help you better understand what digestive enzymes are and what to look for in a good supplement. We also researched 59 enzyme supplements to uncover the good, the bad, and the downright ugly. 

You May Benefit From a Digestive Enzyme Aid If You Have:

Constipation, upset stomach, gas, diarrhea, & bloating
An age-related enzyme insufficiency 
Low stomach acid
Air, soil, and water pollution in your city
Drinking water treated with fluoride

Do I Really Need a Digestive Enzyme Aid?

Our bodies naturally produce digestive enzymes to help us absorb the nutrients we need to survive.

Unfortunately, however, our Typical American Diet (TAD) is made up mostly of processed foods that are filled with trans fats and sugars. This means our bodies have to work even harder in order to absorb vital nutrients.

Other factors, like age, stress, allergies, and chronic inflammation, can also tamper with our ability to properly obtain and absorb nutrients — and when this happens your body puts enzyme production on the bottom of its to-do list. The end result: any nutrients you’re taking in — even from something healthy like a salad — aren’t actually being absorbed by your body.

That’s where digestive enzyme supplements come in as they can help ensure proper breakdown and maximum nutrient absorption for even the hardest to digest foods.

However, it can be difficult to determine exactly what types of enzymes we need, the ideal serving sizes, and which formulas are the most effective.

Fortunately, after extensive research, we were able to narrow it down to the top things to look for in an effective digestive supplement aid:

3 Things To Look For In A Digestive Enzyme Supplement

1. The Right Formula 
   

   Look for a varied blend of plant-based enzymes. Unlike animal-based enzymes, these benefit guts with both low and moderate acidity. 

2. Probiotics 
   

   Saccharomyces boulardii is a crucial yeast probiotic for amping up digestive health. Adding it to your formula boosts not only your short-term digestion, but also long-term health.

3. Doctor-Formulated 
   

   Digestive enzymes are tricky. Crafting the right formula requires years of expertise. Look for a gastroenterologist backing the product. 

A supplement with these characteristics is critical for real results, but most importantly, make sure the formula includes these enzymes:

Top Clinically Proven Enzymes:

• Protease

  • Protease breaks down protein into amino acids, or its basic building blocks. As we age, we begin producing less of them naturally. Look for: a varied blend of at least 100 SAPU, 11,000 HUT and 9,000 HU.

• Bromelain

  • Bromelain helps you digest proteins found in meats, nuts, cheese and grains. Look for: At least 100 GDUs per serving.

• Papain

  • Papain is also crucial for digesting protein. The best blends contain both bromelain and papain for comprehensive digestive support. Look for: At least 800,000 PUs per serving.

• Amylase

  • Amylase breaks the starch, sugar and fiber found in grains, fruits and vegetables down into smaller molecules. Look for: 5,000 DU or more per serving.

• Cellulase

  • Cellulase helps us digest fruits and vegetables. Unfortunately, humans can't produce it naturally. Look for: At least 2,000 CUs per serving.

• Lipase

  • Lipase breaks down fats like butter, cheese, olive and fish oils into fatty acids and glycerol, which then travel throughout our body. Look for: 2,000 FIPs per serving.

While researching, we also ran into a few red flags:

The Results Are In...

We took all of these factors into account, and after reviewing 59 products, only a handful offered users the right combination of enzyme, probiotic strain, and purity. When it comes to enzyme supplements, you get what you pay for.

Top Picks are updated monthly based on testing and analyses:

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