Digestive enzymes available in supplement form are touted as magic bullets for weight loss. Enzymes are substances that speed up chemical reactions in your body. A wide array of these substances help break down fat, carbohydrate and protein in the food you eat. While enzymes do help with digestion, be wary of weight-loss claims by enzyme manufacturers and consult a doctor before trying them.
Identification
Most digested food molecules are absorbed through your small intestine. Enzymes break down the digestible carbohydrates, starch and sugar, into simpler molecules. A number of enzymes you can take help this process along. Amylase helps break down carbohydrates. Lipase helps your body break down fat. Protease assists in protein digestion. Lactase helps you digest the sugar in milk. Enzymes come in tablet form and capsule form, which can be opened and sprinkled on your food.
Effects
Speeding your digestive process may be counterproductive if you are trying to lose weight. In fact, substances that block the action of amylase, called amylase inhibitors or “starch blockers,” are being studied as weight-loss aids because they slow your absorption of carbohydrates, though more research into their safety and effectiveness is needed, according to a July 2008 study published in "The British Journal of Nutrition.” Some digestive enzymes like lipase are being studied as weight-gain aids for people who have conditions such as celiac disease or cystic fibrosis, University of Maryland Medical Center notes.
Marketing Claims vs. Reality
Since enzymes help with digestion, they may alleviate symptoms such as bloating that make you feel fat, fueling anecdotal evidence of their weight-loss effects. For example, bromelain is an enzyme found in pineapple that is promoted for its supposed ability to digest fat and lead to weight loss without exercise or diet, though this enzyme actually breaks down protein. According to the American Cancer Society, scientific evidence as of 2011 does not support the theory that bromelain promotes weight loss. It may, however, be useful as a digestive aid for people who lack enough of their own digestive enzymes, similar to the way lactase helps people tolerate the sugar in milk and helps reduce gastrointestinal effects such as flatulence.
Considerations
Some enzymes, such as bromelain and papain, can cause allergic reactions. Using digestive enzyme supplements also may lead to an upset stomach, diarrhea and vomiting. Some medical practitioners advise caution when taking enzymes like bromelain if you have liver or kidney disease, high blood pressure or a bleeding disorder, or if you take blood-thinning medications, according to the American Cancer Society. Always consult a health care provider before taking enzymes to determine whether they are safe for you and to set the proper dosage and to determine whether to take a combination of enzymes. Enzymes can counteract each other. For example, papain can destroy lipase enzymes, according to University of Maryland Medical Center.
References
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Your Digestive System and How It Works
- American Cancer Society: Bromelain
- The Life Force Diet; Michelle Schoffro Cook
- Drugs.com: Lactase
- CriticalBench.com: Benefits of Digestive Enzymes
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Lipase
- The British Journal of Nutrition: The Nutraceutical Role of the Phaseolus Vulgaris Alpha-Amylase Inhibitor
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