Digestive enzymes
Silver· human dataAlso known as: Protease, Amylase, Lipase
Genuinely needed in specific conditions, but of little proven use for healthy digestion.
Digestive enzyme blends (protease, amylase, lipase and others) break down food components. They are genuinely important in specific medical situations — pancreatic insufficiency needs prescription enzymes, and lactase helps lactose intolerance.
As a general 'bloating and digestion' aid for otherwise healthy people, the evidence is thin, and over-the-counter blends are unregulated in strength. Match a specific enzyme to a specific problem rather than taking broad blends on spec.
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Written and reviewed by Mathew Beale, MSc Biotechnology, University of Reading.
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