The Enzyme Alpha-Galactosidase
Alpha-Galactosidase breaks down carbohydrates, such as raffinose and stachyose. This enzyme is especially helpful with the digestion of raw vegetables and beans because it breaks down the indigestible sugars these foods contain and can reduce or eliminate the bloated feeling and discomfort that accompany these foods. Alpha-Galactosidase is commonly used to alleviate symptoms in the digestive tract caused by excess gas through improving digestion, reducing bloating, discomfort, and flatulence.

The Enzyme Amylase
Amylase is responsible for the digestion of carbohydrates by causing the breakdown of starch into sugar. Amylase is present in human saliva where it begins the chemical process of digestion. This action can be recognized by eating foods that contain a lot starch but little sugar, such as rice and potatoes; which will taste slightly sweet as they are chewed because amylase initiates the breakdown process, both physically and chemically, and turns some of the starch into sugar in the mouth. The primary reason for using amylase is to aid in the digestion of starches from food so they can be utilized by the body.

The Enzyme Beta Glucanase
Beta Glucanase helps break down beta glucose bonds associated with grains, such as oat and barley. This action aids the body in absorption of nutrients by breaking down the glucans, which are vital structural compounds in the cell walls of plants and fungi, into smaller parts which allows better absorption of all the nutrients that are passing through the body. The human body cannot produce Beta Glucanase on its own. This enzyme may be useful for people who need help making fiber more soluble.

The Enzyme Betaine Hydrochloride
Betaine Hydrochloride is a form of hydrochloride acid (HCL), which is a natural stomach acid. HCL is the primary digestive juice that is used to break down proteins so they can be assimilated. Without enough hydrochloric acid, the body may have difficulty absorbing nutrients because they are not digested properly. It has been estimated that approximately 30% of elderly adults have insufficient production of hydrochloric acid in their stomach, causing them to not absorb nutrients properly. Betaine Hydrochloride is found in a variety of foods, such as beets; however, one could not possibly consume enough of these foods to obtain a therapeutic level, therefore, supplementation is commonly used as a digestive enzyme by individuals who do not produce enough hydrochloric acid to digest the proteins that they eat.

The Enzyme Bromelain
Bromelain is a proteolytic enzyme found the stems and fruit of pineapple and aids in the digestion of protein rich foods. One of the benefits of Bromelain is that it aids digestion by enhancing the effects of the digestive enzymes trypsin and pepin. Preliminary studies have shown that the combination of these digestive enzymes may help support knee function and help with pain related to osteoarthritis. Recent research indicates that Bromelain may also have anti-inflammatory effects and increase wound healing. It can also help to prevent heartburn and ease diarrhea, if either is caused by a deficiency of digestive enzymes. Bromelain is one of the most popular digestive enzymes because not only has it been shown to have multiple health benefits, it is a vegetarian alternative to animal sourced enzymes and unlike most digestive enzymes, Bromelain is active both in the acid environment of the stomach and the alkaline environment of the small intestine.

The Enzyme Catalase
Catalase is and antioxidant enzyme that is found in both animal and plant cells. Catalase initiates the decomposition of Hydrogen Peroxide, a powerful and potentially harmful oxidizing agent, to water and molecular oxygen. Hydrogen Peroxide is formed as a toxic waste product of metabolism. Catalase is a highly efficient enzyme produced by the body as a defense against the free radicals that are constantly being produced. Recent animal studies have suggested that catalase’s antioxidant activity may play a role in counteracting the effects of aging and disease by combating free radical damage. Preliminary human studies have also suggested its role in helping combat graying hair related to excess free radical damage.

The Enzyme Cellulase
Cellulose is the major component in the rigid cells wall of plants and Cellulase is an enzyme that breaks down the cellular walls of vegetables. Cellulose is nondigestible by humans because we to not produce the enzyme cellulase; however, supplementation is used sometimes to avoid excessive fermentation by intestinal microorganisms, which can cause the gases that lead to abdominal bloating and discomfort.

The Enzyme Glucoamylase
An enzyme that breaks the bonds near the ends of large carbohydrates (starches), releasing maltose and free glucose.

The Enzyme Invertase (Sucrase)
Breaks down simple sucrose (refined) sugar into the simple sugars glucose and fructose.

The Enzyme Lactase
Lactase breaks down lactose (milk sugar) as found in diary products. It is commonly used as a supplement to break down the lactose to help prevent the bloating, diarrhea, and gas associated with lactose intolerance.

The Enzyme Lipase
Lipase is an enzyme that the body produces; primarily in the pancreas but is also in the mouth and stomach. Supplements are usually created from animal enzymes; however, plant sources have become a lot more popular recently. Lipase is used to break down fats into food so they can be absorbed in the intestines. Because it is created in the body most people don’t need additional lipase; however, those with indigestion, celiac disease, and other digestive issues may benefit from supplementation.

The Enzyme Maltase (Diastase, Malt Diastase)
Maltose is an enzyme that breaks down maltose (disaccharide) into glucose (simple sugar). IT is found in plants, yeast and bacteria; however, it is thought to be synthesized by cells in the intestinal wall mucous membrane. During digestion, starch is partially turned into maltose by amylase then maltase is released by the intestine and converts maltose into glucose. The glucose is produced so it can be utilized by the body or stored in the liver as glycogen.

The Enzyme Nattokinase
Nattokinase is an enzyme isolated from Natto, a soybean food common in the Japanese diet. Nattokinase has been found to have the ability to dissolve blood clot and prevent aggregation of red blood cells thus supporting blood flow; however, because of this activity, nattokinase should only be used under the guidance of a health care provider.

The Enzyme Ox Bile Extract
Bile is naturally produced in the human liver to help aid in digestion; however when the body is producing too little bile (as indicated by tan colored stool or constipation) it may be beneficial to supplement with this bovine sourced enzyme. The digestion of fat is improved by ox bile, which also stimulates the flow of bile from the liver that helps to digest fats. Ox Bile is a suitable supplement to the livers production of bile.

The Enzyme Pancreatin
Pancreatin is a combination of 3 enzymes; amylase, lipase, and protease. This digestive enzyme mixture is used to treat conditions in which pancreatic secretions are deficient, such as pancreatitis and cystic fibrosis. Chronic pancreatitis is the major cause of pancreatic insufficiency which can be compensated by pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy. Pancreatin may help with food allergies and weight loss.

The Enzyme Papain
Papain an enzyme which is found papaya and breaks down proteins by hydrolysis (the addition of water) papain is an enzyme present in papaya. The papain is breaks down tough bands between meat fibers and its oldest use was as a meat tenderizer. Papain is a useful supplement for those experiencing digestive problems and discomfort related to the inability to properly digest food. The Enzyme Pectinase
Pectinase is an enzyme found in vegetables and fruits, such as apples. It breaks down pectin, which is found in the cell wall of plants, into simple sugars. Pectinase is often used in the production of apple juice and other juices because it rapidly breaks down the pectin, increasing the juice extraction process. It can be used as a supplement to help decrease the bulking effect of fibrous foods.

The Enzyme Pepsin
Pepsin is the enzyme in the stomach that initiates the digestion of proteins by breaking them down into smaller pieces. Pepsin, a gastric protease, is found in gastric juice and is made in the lining of the stomach in an inactive form and becomes activated to pepsin by stomach acid.

Protease Enzymes
Protease enzymes (like Bromelain) comprise a list of enzymes responsible for the digestion of proteins, which is probably one of the most difficult substances to metabolize. Proteins are made of linked amino acids that must be broken down to smaller chain amino acids in digestion in order to be absorbed and utilized by the body.

The Enzyme Phytase
Phytase is an enzyme that breaks down the undigestable phytic acid (phytate) portion in grains and oil seeds. It is mainly used to improve the nutritional status of phytic acid rich feed for pigs. Phytase supplementation decreases the need for the addition of calcium phosphate and has a positive effect on the environment.

Xylanase Enzymes
Xylanase is an enzyme that breaks down plant structural material by deconstructing hemicellulose, which is a major component of the plant cell wall.