You Are What You Absorb

Author: Nancy Trott, BCNP, CHN

Date: March 2025

Awareness of how, and if, your body is absorbing nutrition is powerful knowledge to support healing and health! Poor nutrient absorption is detrimental to over-all health and is directly correlated with many health conditions.  Let’s explore what digestive enzymes do and how to ensure that the body has what it needs to access the nutrients from the foods that are being eaten.😊

What Are Digestive Enzymes? 

Our bodies need digestive enzymes to break down carbohydrates, proteins and fats into their individual components - proteins break down into amino acids, carbohydrates break down into simple sugars, and fats break down into fatty acids and glycerol, so that the body can ultimately absorb and use these nutrients (e.g. proteins, fats, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins, and water) for all biological functions (e.g. energy, cell repair, growth) and healing of the body.[1] 

Digestion has four (4) key stages: Ingestion, Digestion, Absorption and Elimination. The digestive process actually begins with our sense of smell – smelling food triggers salivation, which is when the salivary enzyme “amylase” begins to be secreted into the mouth in anticipation of foods coming in😊 

Digestive enzymes include:

• Amylases – they break down carbohydrates and starches into simple sugars. Amylases are found in saliva (called “salivary amylase”), the stomach and pancreas.[1] 

• Proteases – they break down proteins into amino acids. Proteases are found in the stomach, pancreas and intestines.[1] 

• Lipases – they break down fats (lipids) into fatty acids and glycerol. Lipases are found in the stomach and pancreas.[1]

• Lactases – they break down lactose into the simple sugars of glucose and galactose. Lactose is found in milk.[1] 

• Maltases – they break down malt type sugars into glucose.[1] 

• Sucrases – they break down sugar into glucose and fructose.[1] 

Also available through Mother Nature are several types of natural enzymes, which support the body in the digestive process.

Raw fruits and vegetables, ideally organic and those grown in nutrient-dense soils, are a great source of natural digestive enzymes. Some top raw (un-cooked) foods to include in your healthy diet are papaya (enzyme “papain”), kiwi, banana, mango, avocado, kefir, yogurt, miso, sauerkraut, kimchi, raw honey, and apple cider vinegar.[2] Noteworthy tidbit, pineapple is often included in this list, however research shows that it is the pineapple core and stem where the density of enzymes exist and not the flesh that we commonly eat. You will find though that enzyme supplements often use the pineapple extracted enzyme “bromelain”.[3] Also important to know is that cooking neutralizes natural enzymes, so to benefit from natural enzymes, eat these foods the way Mother Nature provides them = raw😊

As our bodies are busy working through the digestive process, signs that there may be an enzyme deficiency may be noticed. Experiencing bloating, gas, undigested food appearing in your poop, smelly poop, heartburn, burping, feeling full when you haven’t eaten much, and unintended weight loss, can all be potential indicators of insufficient amounts of digestive enzymes.[2] Adding natural enzyme sources and enzyme supplements may prove to be quite beneficial.

Benefits of Enzymes

Digestive enzymes are a crucial component of health, and some health conditions may further benefit from enzyme supplementation and therapies, including: 

1.    Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Research suggests that enzyme therapy may be beneficial in improving emotional and behavioural symptoms in ASD, as well as help resolve some digestive issues including selective eating and vomiting.[4] 

2.    Cancer: Studies are indicating a potential benefit of enzyme therapy for colorectal cancer patients, by reducing the symptoms of the dis-ease, reducing adverse reactions to adjuvant therapies, and potentially helping to improve survival time.[5] 

3.    Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD): Studies are showing that supplements with beta-glucan, inositol, and digestive enzymes may improve quality of life and reduce symptoms of IBD (which includes conditions of ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s).[6] 

4.    Lactose Intolerance: Lactase, an enzyme commonly available over the counter, has shown benefits in helping manage lactose intolerance, and help conditions including Crohn’s and celiac disease.[7] 

5.    Osteoarthritis: A few studies found that certain enzymes, such as bromelain, trypsin, rutin, may be beneficial in reducing pain from osteoarthritis.[8]

And more! Enzyme researchers are exploring enzyme protocols for Type II Diabetes, Weight management, Celiac disease, Functional dyspepsia, and Irritable Bowl Syndrome, to name a few.[9]  

Are There Any Concerns or Cautions?

Natural enzymes and enzyme supplements are generally considered safe for most adults.[10]  

It is important to consider the following:

•       Allergies and sensitivities: 

o   Be mindful if you have allergies or sensitivities to any of the foods noted above, and avoid them if allergic.

o   Some digestive enzyme products are derived from animals (e.g. ox, cattle, pigs). [10] If following a diet that avoids animal products, it is important to verify the source.  

·       Supplements:

o   Enzyme supplements may cause adverse gastrointestinal reactions including upset stomach, loose stools, diarrhea, stomach pain, vomiting, allergic reactions.[10] 

o   Digestive enzyme supplements may not be safe if the person has gout, pancreatitis, high uric acid levels in blood, or impaired kidney function.[10] 

o   Supplements containing the enzyme Bromelain may increase the risk of bleeding if taking blood thinners (e.g. aspirin, warfarin, heparin) or have low platelets, and may also impact the body’s absorption and use of antibiotics, blood pressure medications, ACE inhibitors, and chemotherapy drugs.[11] 

o   Supplements containing Bromelain may not be advised to be taken along with other supplements that may also have blood-thinning effects, such as garlic, ginger, ginko biloba, ginseng, vitamin E, fish oil, and willow.[12] 

o   Supplements containing the enzyme Papain may impact how the body absorbs amiodarone, levothyroxine, diabetes medications, and warfarin.[13] 

*It is always important to consult with your trusted healthcare practitioner prior to making any major lifestyle changes, especially if taking any medications.

 References:

1.      Article: “Your Digestive System & How it Works”. NIH. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/digestive-system-how-it-works 

2.      Article: “Digestive Enzymes: Benefits for Nutrient Deficiencies & Gut Health”. Dr.Axe.com. Author: Rachael Link, MS, RD. https://draxe.com/nutrition/digestive-enzymes/

3.      Article: “Bromelain, a Group of Pineapple Proteolytic Complex Enzymes (Ananas comosus) and Their Possible Therapeutic and Clinical Effects. A Summary”. PubMed. Authors: Carolina Varilla, et.al. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8534447/

4.      Article: “Gastrointestinal symptoms and autism spectrum disorder: links and risks - a possible new overlap syndrome”. PubMed. Authors: Jolanta Wasilewska, et.al. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29388597/

5.      Article: “Influence of a complementary treatment with oral enzymes on patients with colorectal cancers--an epidemiological retrolective cohort study”. PubMed. Authors: T Popiela, et.al. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11561874/ 

6.      Article: “Beta-glucan, inositol and digestive enzymes improve quality of life of patients with inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome”. PubMed. Authors: R Spagnuolo, et.al. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28724171/

7.      Article: “Lactose intolerance in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases and dietary management in prevention of osteoporosis”. PubMed. Authors: Alicja Ewa Ratajczak, et.al. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33316755/

8.      Article: “Current nutraceuticals in the management of osteoarthritis: a review”. PubMed. Authors: Nahid Akhtar, et.al. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22850529/

9.      Article: “What Are Digestive Enzymes?”. VeryWellHealth.com. Author: Regina C. Windsor, MPH, RDN. https://www.verywellhealth.com/the-benefits-of-digestive-enzymes-89446#citation-73

10.   Article: “digestive enzymes”. Medicine.net. Author: Sarfaroj Khan. https://www.medicinenet.com/digestive_enzymes/article.htm

11.   Article: “Bromelain A Wonder Supplement: A Review”. ResearchGate.com. Authors: Nachiket Dighe, et.al. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/331673030_Bromelain_A_Wonder_Supplement_A_Review

12.    Article: “Anticoagulant activity of select dietary supplements”. PubMed. Authors: Michael J Stanger, et.al. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22300597/

13.   Article: “Papaya” Medlineplus.com. https://medlineplus.gov/druginformation.html