The 6 best digestive enzyme supplements

Navigating topics like bloating, excessive gas, constipation, and diarrhoea seems to have become my specialty recently. These conversations aren’t just because I grapple with these issues personally, but also because I’ve dedicated myself to assisting others in their own journeys toward better gut health here on Edible Ethics.

See also: “Do vegans have good gut health?“

If you find yourself dealing with any of these digestive discomforts, it’s possible that your body isn’t producing sufficient digestive enzymes to process your food effectively. Perhaps you have specific food intolerances or have received a diagnosis of enzyme deficiency from a medical professional.

Either way, these digestive enzyme supplements will allow you to eat more of the food that you love, with less of the bloating and flatulence.

My top picks

I have chosen a range of digestive enzyme supplements, all of which come from reputable brands. I have made sure to include a mix of different types of products, but all are 100% vegan and 100% natural.

• Best overall: Juvia | Skip to review
• Best eco-friendly packaging: Ethical Nutrition | Skip to review
• Best probiotics with enzymes: Wild Dose | Skip to review
• Best subscription: Feel Digestion | Skip to review
• Best prebiotics with enzymes: ARTAH | Skip to review
• Best budget-friendly: Bulk | Skip to review

What are digestive enzyme supplements?

Digestive enzyme supplements consist of individual or combinations of enzymes that support the digestion process in your body. These enzymes are typically naturally produced by your body. However, when your body struggles to produce them adequately, these supplements provide a helpful solution.

Commonly found enzymes in digestive enzyme supplements include:

• Amylase: Breaks down carbohydrates.
• Lipase: Breaks down fats.
• Protease: Breaks down proteins.
• Lactase: Breaks down lactose (not essential for vegan diets).

In my comprehensive guide, I’ve detailed the specific enzymes contained in each digestive enzyme supplement. This information can be especially useful if you’re seeking a particular enzyme.

How do I know if I need a digestive enzyme?

Digestive enzyme supplements can be valuable for individuals facing specific challenges. While doctors might recommend them for enzyme deficiencies or age-related digestive issues, personal experiences often reveal their benefits. Consider trying digestive enzyme supplements if you encounter the following concerns:

1. IBS: If you struggle with IBS and have difficulty digesting high FODMAP foods, taking enzymes before consuming trigger foods could be beneficial.
2. Food Intolerances: Individuals who find it hard to digest certain food groups, like legumes, might find relief by taking enzymes before such meals.
3. Bloating and Gas: If post-meal bloating and excessive gas are issues, experimenting with digestive enzymes prior to eating may help.
4. Stool Irregularities: Regular experiences of diarrhoea or constipation could potentially be eased by incorporating digestive enzymes into your routine, potentially leading to more normalised stools over time.
5. Nutrient deficiency: If you take all of your supplements or you eat a varied and well-planned nutritious diet, but your body is still deficient in nutrients then it may not be digesting them properly. Digestive enzymes can help with this.

For a deeper exploration of digestive enzymes and their efficacy, you can refer to my guide: ‘Do Digestive Enzyme Supplements Actually Work?‘”

Is it better to take probiotics or digestive enzymes?

The decision depends on your specific concerns. Probiotics and digestive enzyme supplements serve distinct purposes. Probiotics introduce beneficial live bacteria to your gut, creating a favourable environment for their growth. Digestive enzymes, on the other hand, aid in food breakdown during digestion.

For example, if you experience bloating due to specific foods like legumes, it might indicate an enzyme deficiency, specifically in galacto-oligosaccharides. Conversely, broader digestive issues after various meals, especially when compounded by stress or recent antibiotic use, could point to probiotic benefits.

Both can present similar symptoms such as bloating and gas, making diagnosis challenging. Identifying the cause helps greatly. Sometimes, a combination of both supplements is effective. Personal experimentation often reveals the best approach, as was the case for me – I found relief through a mix of probiotic supplements and digestive enzymes.

Evidence also suggests synergy between the two, particularly for individuals with complex gut problems like IBS and GERD. This entails using a probiotic supplement (like Symprove) to nurture friendly bacteria and a digestive enzyme supplement to facilitate food breakdown before it reaches the lower gut, providing a comprehensive solution.

Here are the best digestive enzyme supplements

Not all digestive enzyme supplements are created equal, so I’ve put together my favourite options to make your life that bit easier!