Compound or practice · Nutrition
Digestive Enzymes
Essential in true enzyme insufficiency; mostly unnecessary for the general 'bloating' crowd — except lactase for lactose intolerance.
- Overall grade
- Grade C
- Last revised
- 2
- graded outcomes
- 0
- references listed
A structured monograph in Prometheus's bundled library. Its grades are the monograph's own reading of the evidence, not a peer-reviewed review.
1 at grade A · 1 at grade D — 2 graded rows
What is known
Each outcome with its grade (how strong the evidence is, A to D), the size of the effect where the entry records one, and how often studies agree.
- Lactose intolerance (lactase)Evidence grade A
Targeted use
Moderatehigh
- General bloating (blends)Evidence grade D
Weak
Triviallow
What is uncertain
Read off the same rows as above. Nothing here is added that the entry does not itself record.
- Thin evidence: General bloating (blends) (grade D).
The evidence in words
What it is
Supplemental digestive enzymes (proteases, lipases, amylases, lactase, alpha-galactosidase) aim to aid the breakdown of macronutrients.
How it works
They substitute for or supplement the body's own enzymes to digest specific substrates.
What the evidence shows
For genuine deficiency (pancreatic exocrine insufficiency), prescription enzyme replacement is essential and highly effective. Over-the-counter enzymes have targeted uses — lactase for lactose intolerance (clear benefit) and alpha-galactosidase for legume gas — but broad 'digestive support' blends for undiagnosed bloating have weak support.
How to use it
Use the specific enzyme for the specific problem (lactase with dairy, alpha-galactosidase with beans); pancreatic insufficiency requires prescription enzymes dosed to meals.
Safety & interactions
Generally safe; true insufficiency needs medical management, not OTC blends.
Bottom line
Match the enzyme to a real problem — lactase for dairy, alpha-galactosidase for beans. Skip broad 'digestion' blends for vague bloating; see a clinician if symptoms persist.
How it is used
As the entry records it, from the studies it summarises. Not a recommendation for you — doses that suit a trial population may not suit you.
- Targeted
- Lactase with dairy; alpha-galactosidase with legumes.
Related reading
Entries that share this one's tags or conditions.
- Digestive Enzymes for General bloating (blends)Evidence grade D — WeakEvidence grade D
- Digestive Enzymes for Lactose intolerance (lactase)Evidence grade A — Targeted useEvidence grade A
- Digestive Enzymes: dosage and how to take itLactase with dairy; alpha-galactosidase with legumes.Evidence grade C
- Digestive Enzymes: side effects, safety & interactionsGenerally safe; true insufficiency needs medical management, not OTC blends.Evidence grade C
Sources
This entry lists no references of its own.
Last revised . A grade is this entry's reading of the evidence, not medical advice.