Enzymes are proteins that facilitate processes in your body, including digestion, which begins in your mouth. These enzymes are available in the form of dietary supplements, which can include bromelain, papain and amylase. Digestive enzymes are purported to help replenish the enzyme supply in your digestive system to facilitate improvement in digestive processes. Bad breath caused by a lack of adequate numbers of enzymes is the proposed reason for administration of supplemental digestive enzymes. Without adequate digestion, foods can cause digestive problems. Check with your doctor before using any dietary supplement.
Digestive Enzymes
Digestive enzyme supplements are generally found at your local health food store. Some of these supplements, such as bromelain, are extracted from fruits while others, such as pancreatic enzymes, are extracted from the organs of animals. According to the American Cancer Society, digestive enzymes are intended to facilitate the processing of food and subsequent absorption of nutrients. However, evidence to support the effectiveness of enzyme therapy is mixed. Theoretically, if you lack enough digestive enzymes, some of the foods you eat can remain undigested, fermenting and producing offensive odors when bacteria develop over the undigested food.
How Digestion Affects Your Breath
Some research studies have found an association between bad breath, also known as halitosis, and impaired digestion. A 2007 study published in "Oral Diseases," for example, found that bad breath was significantly associated with symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Additionally, a 2010 article published in the "Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology" found that impaired digestion was associated with bad breath. These findings support the researchers' belief that bad breath may be an indication of digestive problems. Without complete digestion, food can remain in the digestive tract, and bacteria take the opportunity to attach to the food. The byproduct of bacterial processing of food is often an offensive odor that can emanate from the stomach to the mouth with each breath.
Digestive Enzymes and Bad Breath
Bromelain is an enzyme that is extracted from pineapple. This substance is used in naturopathic medicine to treat inflammation and problems with digestion. Using a product that contains bromelain with other naturally occurring digestive enzymes can help reduce symptoms of indigestion. Subsequently, if your bad breath is caused by digestive problems, using these natural supplements may also help keep it at bay. Always check with your doctor to identify the cause of indigestion, which may also require a modern medical approach for relief.
Considerations
Digestive enzyme supplements like bromelain are generally regarded as safe, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center or UMMC. Side effects of taking bromelain can include nausea and diarrhea. The UMMC suggests you limit the use of this enzyme to a maximum of 10 days. For bromelain, the dosage suggested for digestive problems that can lead to bad breath is 500 mg daily in divided dosages, taken with food. Natural supplements may cause an unwanted interaction with existing medical conditions and medications, so check with your doctor before using these products.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Bromelain
- American Cancer Society: Enzyme Therapy
- "Oral Diseases"; Halitosis and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Possible Association.; M. Moshkowitz, et al.; 2007
- "Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology"; The Gastrointestinal Aspects of Halitosis; S. Kinberg, et al.; 2010
- Vitamin and Health Supplements Guide: Digestive Enzymes
