Digestive enzymes are often used to support healthy digestion and increase nutrient absorption.<\/p>\n
Studies show that they may benefit conditions like lactose intolerance and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) (1, 2).<\/p>\n
In addition, many people wonder if digestive enzymes could help them lose more weight.<\/p>\n
This article reviews whether digestive enzymes can promote weight loss.<\/p>\n
Digestive enzymes are compounds that help break down foods into smaller components that your body can absorb (3).<\/p>\n
The three main types are:<\/p>\n
Your body naturally produces digestive enzymes, but theyre also available in supplement form.<\/p>\n
These supplements are often used to improve conditions like lactose intolerance and other digestive issues like celiac disease and IBS (1, 2).<\/p>\n
Digestive enzymes help break down proteins, fats, and carbs into smaller components. Theyre produced naturally by your body and are also found in supplement form.<\/p>\n
Some studies show that digestive enzymes may enhance the health of your gut microbiome the microorganisms that live in your digestive tract (4).<\/p>\n
In one study, administering digestive enzymes to mice promoted the colonization of beneficial gut bacteria (5).<\/p>\n
Plus, a test-tube study showed that pairing a probiotic supplement with digestive enzymes could help protect against changes in the gut microbiome caused by chemotherapy and a type of antibiotic (6).<\/p>\n
Interestingly, some studies have found that the gut microbiome may play a role in weight control (7).<\/p>\n
In fact, one review of 21 studies reported that enhancing the beneficial bacteria in your gut may reduce body mass index, fat mass, and body weight (8).<\/p>\n
That said, more studies on the effects of digestive enzyme supplements on weight control in humans are needed. <\/p>\n
Some test-tube and animal studies show that digestive enzymes may improve the health of your beneficial gut bacteria bacteria that may be involved in weight control.<\/p>\n
Lipase is a digestive enzyme that boosts the absorption of fat in your body by breaking it down into glycerol and free fatty acids (9).<\/p>\n
Some studies show that supplementing with lipase may decrease feelings of fullness (10, 11).<\/p>\n
For example, one study in 16 adults found that those taking a lipase supplement before consuming a high fat meal reported significantly decreased stomach fullness after 1 hour, compared with a control group (10).<\/p>\n
On the other hand, lipase inhibitors which decrease lipase levels have long been used to promote weight control by increasing the excretion of fat (12).<\/p>\n
While more research is needed, increasing your lipase levels by taking digestive enzyme supplements could potentially increase fat absorption, thus contributing to weight gain.<\/p>\n
Lipase may decrease feelings of fullness. On the other hand, decreasing lipase levels can promote weight loss by reducing fat absorption.<\/p>\n
Although research shows that digestive enzymes may or may not directly increase weight loss, they could improve gut health and digestion.<\/p>\n
They may also alleviate bloating and promote regularity, especially for those with conditions like IBS (3, 13).<\/p>\n
Most digestive enzyme supplements contain a combination of lipase, amylase, and protease. Some types also contain other specific enzymes that can be beneficial if you have difficulty digesting certain ingredients.<\/p>\n
Other common enzymes found in digestive enzyme supplements include:<\/p>\n
Supplements are derived from microbial or animal sources. Although animal-based digestive enzymes are more common, microbial-based supplements may be an effective, vegan-friendly alternative (14, 15).<\/p>\n
To ensure quality, check the ingredients label and steer clear of supplements high in fillers, additives, and preservatives. Plus, opt for supplements that have undergone third-party testing and are certified by organizations like the United States Pharmacopeia (USP).<\/p>\n
Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider before taking a new supplement, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or are taking any medications.<\/p>\n
Additionally, note that you should always take digestive enzymes with food to maximize their effectiveness.<\/p>\n
Most digestive enzymes contain a combination of protease, lipase, and amylase, but they may also contain other specific enzymes to promote healthy digestion. Supplements are derived from both animal-based and microbial sources.<\/p>\n
While digestive enzymes may not directly boost weight loss, research shows that enzyme inhibitors might.<\/p>\n
Digestive enzyme inhibitors decrease the absorption of certain macronutrients and are sometimes used in the treatment of obesity to increase weight loss (16).<\/p>\n
According to a review of 14 studies, supplementing with an amylase inhibitor extracted from white beans may increase both weight loss and fat loss in humans (17).<\/p>\n
Another study showed that blocking the effects of trypsin, a protease enzyme that breaks down proteins, decreased food consumption and weight gain in rats (18).<\/p>\n
Additionally, lipase inhibitors are used to reduce the absorption of fat, which could also result in significant weight loss (19, 20).<\/p>\n
In particular, the lipase inhibitor called orlistat may reduce fat absorption by 30%. It does this by decreasing the production of lipase in the stomach and pancreas, resulting in weight loss (19).<\/p>\n
One study in 40 women with obesity also found that long-term use of orlistat increased levels of certain hormones that suppress hunger and appetite (21).<\/p>\n
However, other studies have found that orlistat could decrease these hormones and instead speed up the emptying of the stomach (22, 23, 24).<\/p>\n
Aside from potentially affecting hormone levels, other common side effects of lipase inhibitors include diarrhea, stomach pain, and fat in the stools (19).<\/p>\n
Enzyme inhibitors block the activity of digestive enzymes, which could promote weight loss and fat loss. However, studies have had contradicting results. <\/p>\n
Digestive enzymes are substances that help break down macronutrients into smaller compounds to promote their absorption.<\/p>\n
Some test-tube and animal studies show that they could improve the health of your gut microbiome, which may affect weight control.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, digestive enzyme inhibitors have been shown to reduce food intake and increase weight loss and fat loss.<\/p>\n
While digestive enzyme supplements may or may not directly boost weight loss, they could promote healthy digestion and regularity, especially for those with certain gastrointestinal conditions.<\/p>\n
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Read this article:<\/p>\n
Digestive Enzymes and Weight Loss: Do They Help? - Healthline<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Digestive enzymes are often used to support healthy digestion and increase nutrient absorption. Continue reading