If you’re looking to improve overall digestive and gut health, taking both a probiotic supplement, in addition to eating probiotic foods, and also digestive enzyme supplements can have big payoffs. Both probiotics and digestive enzymes are capable of helping to restore balance to the gut microbiome, aiding in digestion and curbing common ailments like gas, abdominal discomfort, and bloating.
Probiotics and digestive enzyme supplementation may be especially beneficial for people with: autoimmune diseases, chronic digestive issues such as diarrhea or inflammatory bowel disease, inflammatory skin conditions, food allergies or intolerances, asthma, or infectious diarrhea caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites.
Benefits of Digestive Enzymes and Probiotics
What are probiotics and why are they beneficial? Probiotics, which are defined as “microorganisms introduced into the body for their beneficial qualities,” are types of live bacteria and yeasts that are especially beneficial for your digestive system and immune system.
You can think of probiotics as healthy “good bacteria”, which crowd out and counteract the effects of “bad bacteria”, or germs, that make you sick. Probiotic bacteria help the body function properly in a number of ways. Believe it or not, it’s estimated that the human body hosts about 2,000 different types of bacteria, which are most concentrated in the gut, mouth and skin. Probiotic benefits include:
- Supporting gut health
- Helping to fight bacterial infections
- Combatting GI issues like bloating, constipation, diarrhea, etc.
- Supporting the body’s ability to absorb nutrients
- Reducing inflammation
- Helping to maintain healthy skin
- Potentially helping with weight management
- Improving mental health
- Reducing allergy severity
These healthy bacteria can be acquired both by eating fermented foods/beverages and by taking probiotic supplements. In order for probiotics to be most effective it’s ideal to also consume prebiotics, which are found in certain foods like raw fruits and vegetables. Prebiotics help “feed” probiotic bacteria so they can thrive.
What are digestive enzymes and what do they do? Digestive enzymes are protein catalysts used in the digestive system to help break down large macromolecules found in the foods we eat (carbs, protein and fats) into smaller molecules (such as glucose, nucleotides, amino acids and fatty acids) that our guts are capable of absorbing.
The human body makes various types of digestive enzymes to break down different foods.
There are three main categories of digestive enzymes:
- Proteolytic enzymes that are needed to digest protein
- Lipases that are needed to digest fats
- Amylases that are needed to digest carbohydrates
Enzymes are synthesized and secreted in different parts of the body where gastrointestinal fluids are found, including the mouth, stomach, duodenum, intestines, and pancreas.
In supplement form, digestive enzymes are sources from either fruits (most commonly pineapple or papaya-based), animals including ox and hogs, and plant sources like certain yeast and fungi.
Digestive enzymes are an essential part of gastrointestinal and overall health because they have the following functions and benefits:
- Breaking down food into its smaller molecules that can be used for energy. Enzymes help to enhance nutrition absorption and can lower the risk for nutritional deficiency.
- Killing harmful bacteria and microbes that enter the GI tract.
- Helping to prevent damage to the lining of the intestines, also known as intestinal permeability or leaky gut syndrome.
- Providing anti-inflammatory properties and helping to keep the immune system from overreacting.
- Decreasing symptoms like acid reflux/heartburn and irritable bowel syndrome.
- Counteracting enzyme inhibitors naturally in foods like peanuts, wheat germ, egg whites, nuts, seeds, beans and potatoes.
- Reducing symptoms of intolerances/sensitivities to foods that contain gluten, casein and lactose (like wheat and dairy).
People who deal with enzyme insufficiency (a lack of digestive enzymes) can benefit from enzyme supplementation in order to help move the digestive process along.
How Digestive Enzymes and Probiotics Work Together to Improve Gut Health
Probiotics and digestive enzymes have several things in common – for example both are located in the digestive tract and help with functions such as nutrient absorption and immunity. Certain probiotic bacteria even help to produce certain enzymes. One example is the bacteria strain Lactobacilli, which enhances activity of the enzyme called lactase that breaks down sugar found in dairy products.
Both can be obtained from plant foods and fermented foods, such as cultured vegetables and dairy products. In supplement form, both are often recommended for people dealing with on-going digestive issues, including those that can be serious and debilitating such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
On the other hand, there are some differences between probiotics and digestive enzymes. The human body cannot make its own probiotics, and probiotics are more heavily concentrated in the intestines, as opposed to enzymes which are widespread throughout the body.
In addition to facilitating digestion, another way that probiotics and enzymes work together to enhance health is by supporting functions of the immune system. Enzyme insufficiency can contribute to low nutrient absorption, which takes a toll on the immune system. Both enzymes and probiotics help support absorption of key nutrients – including amino acids, fatty acids, and B vitamins – while also helping to defend against accumulation of harmful microbes in the intestines. Research also suggests that probiotics can help usher food through the GI tract by affecting nerves that control gut movement. This makes the main job of digestive enzymes, to break down food, easier and more effective.
So, who can benefit most from the synergistic effects of probiotics and digestive enzymes? And what are some common reasons that people may be lacking enzymes and probiotics?
Many people can benefit from enzyme and probiotic supplementation because their diets don’t provide adequate amounts of these essential compounds.
Not eating many raw foods, eating low amounts of fruits and vegetables, eating lots of acidic foods that alter the body’s preferred pH level (such as meat and processed grains), and consuming foods grown in poor quality soil that is low in nutrient content are some major contributing factors to digestive enzyme and probiotic insufficiency. Other causes can include: use of antibiotics, chronic stress, alcohol consumption, smoking, and frequent use of NSAID pain killers.
Additionally, enzyme production typically declines with age and can potentially be made worse by genetic factors and illnesses. Taking certain medications and battling a number of chronic diseases – including liver disease, pancreatic diseases and cystic fibrosis – can also contribute to low enzyme levels.
Here are 5 tips for getting the most from both probiotics and digestive enzymes:
- Some supplements contain both probiotics and digestive enzymes within one capsule, often which are taken in split doses over the course of a day. If taking these supplements separately, it’s recommended that you take digestive enzymes before a meal and probiotics after or between meals.
- Many people experience the best results when taking probiotics on an empty stomach once or twice daily.
- Ideally digestive enzymes should be taken no more than 10 minutes before each meal.
- Anyone who has a chronic health problem, such as liver disease, cancer, pancreatic insufficiency or gallbladder disease, should work with a healthcare provider for customized enzyme and probiotic therapy that will be most effective.
- In order to know the dose that’s best for you, pay attention to how you feel after beginning supplementation. You may need to decrease your dose if you experience side effects like an upset stomach, diarrhea, gas, and bloating. These are most common for the first couple of days after you start taking them, however if they persist this is a sign that another type of probiotic or enzyme may be a bitter choice.
In terms of which digestive enzymes are best to take, this really depends on the person, since different people lack different enzymes. Digestive enzymes are also nutrient-specific and help with absorption of different foods, so you may need to take several different types and experiment with combinations in order to find what best supports your digestion. For broad effects, choose a high-quality enzyme formula that contains various types of enzymes, such as: amylase, cellulase, phytase, lactase, lipase, invertase, peptidase, and others.
When it comes to purchasing a quality probiotic supplement, look for a product that includes multiple probiotic strains, since each type has unique benefits. Some of the most well-researched probiotic strains include: Bacillus coagulans, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Lactobacillus gasseri. Ideally opt for a shelf-stable supplement that contains live cultures, has at least 10–20 billion CFUs, contains prebiotics, and doesn’t contain fillers, preservatives, or added sugar.
While supplementing is certainly convenient and has many benefits, it’s probably even more important to get probiotics and enzymes directly from your diet by emphasizing plant foods and fermented foods – like yogurt, kefir, kimchi, or sauerkraut for example.
Not only do these foods provide healthy bacterial strains, but they also supply you with nutrients like calcium, potassium, fiber and more. Additionally, you can consume natural digestive enzymes from plant foods (ideally in raw form) including pineapple, papaya, mango, kiwi, raw honey, avocado, bee pollen, and apple cider vinegar.
Remember that prebiotics (or soluble fiber) feed your good gut flora, so make sure to eat lots of high-fiber foods like a variety of veggies and leafy greens, apples, beans, berries, flaxseed, and 100% whole grains.
Article Summary
Probiotic benefits include:
- Supporting gut health
- Helping to fight bacterial infections
- Combatting GI issues like bloating, constipation, diarrhea, etc.
- Supporting the body’s ability to absorb nutrients
- Reducing inflammation
- Helping to maintain healthy skin
- Potentially helping with weight management
- Improving mental health
- Reducing allergy severity
Prebiotics help “feed” probiotic bacteria so they can thrive.
Digestive enzymes are protein catalysts used in the digestive system to help break down large macromolecules in food.
There are three main categories of digestive enzymes:
- Proteolytic enzymes that are needed to digest protein
- Lipases that are needed to digest fats, and
- Amylases that are needed to digest carbohydrates
Both enzymes and probiotics help support absorption of key nutrients.
Many people benefit from enzyme and probiotic supplementation because their diets don’t provide adequate amounts of the essential compounds they need.
How about if a person suspects SIBO is present? Would eating fermented foods and taking probiotics and prebiotics worsen issues?
I have ulcers in my stomach,,,and I don’t take aspirin or Advil or any thing that is a cause of this condition,,, I am 58 years old I only have one cavity and I got it a couple of years ago a dentist wants told me that I have high acidity in my saliva… So I am wondering if that high acidity is something that is causing these ulcers in my stomach because I don’t eat or take or do anything that my doctor asked me about that would cause this condition… He wants me to take an antacid prescription… I want to know if there is a more holistic way of treating this I have been eating mostly plant-based diet for the past year since my husband had cancer doing green smoothies you know stuff like that so I am not sure what is going on I feel like I’m eating healthy… HELP
Hi Candace –
We appreciate you reaching out to us about this.
I’m so sorry to hear about this – I’ll be sure to pray for you and your husband.
Unfortunately, we are unable to give any kind of medical advice. The best advice we can give you is to consult with one of the doctors we interviewed in the Global series.
Please note that we are not able to select an expert for you.
We’ve created a page with the experts’ contact info as it was available to us.
Here’s the link to the actual webpage:
http://thetruthaboutcancer.com/experts-info-sheet/
We do have one more resource you may be interested in. During our Live Event 2017 series, Dr. Patrick Quillin suggested contacting The Institute of Functional Medicine to locate a practitioner in your area.
If you are interested, here is the link to search for a Functional Medicine Practitioner in your area: https://www.ifm.org/find-a-practitioner/
I’m also attaching the info about the Hope4Cancer clinic in Tijuana, MX if you’d like to reach out to them.
http://www.hope4cancer.com/
https://hope4cancer.com/schedule-a-call/
Please also see the resources below in case they will be helpful to you.
From our beginning, we have supported charities that really help these cancer patients.
HealingStrong:
http://healingstrong.com/
https://www.facebook.com/healingstrong
HealingStrong supports MANY cancer patients and are amazing. HealingStrong, a nonprofit organization, is supported 100% by volunteers, who are experienced in using natural strategies. The organization’s mission is to educate, encourage, equip, and empower those seeking comprehensive natural strategies to heal strong and stay strong.
HealingStrong Connect Groups meet monthly in various areas of the U.S. and South Australia to link others interested in natural strategies, holistic protocols, and local resources. Their groups focus on mind, body and emotional healing based on Biblical promises, as they believe the God of the Bible is our healer. For more information on how to start a group, or become involved in one, please go to: http://www.healingstrong.org/groups, and like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/healingstrong.
Cancer Crackdown is so awesome and helps patients without a lot of money get supplements and treatments and even helps them raise money:
http://cancercrackdown.org/
https://www.facebook.com/CancerCrackdown
Also, the Independent Cancer Research Foundation is another charity that we support, also known as Cancer Tutor. They have been a TREMENDOUS help for cancer patients and have a TON of life saving information they give out freely and they do real research into treatments for cancer that are outside of the toxic Big Pharma Big 3:
http://www.theicrf.com/
The best that we can suggest is to contact Healing Strong and Cancer Crackdown for any need in financial resources.
We also support Mary Beth’s “Nick Gonzalez Foundation” which is bringing Nick’s protocol to the people…which is one of the most powerful cancer killing protocols out there.
I hope this is helpful! Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us again if there’s anything else we can help with.
Wishing you endless blessings and love!
Hi Candace, I am not a practitioner, just a learner like you. I also am like you, and presently my wife and I are trying a locally made organic, plain, Sauerkraut https://benourished.co.nz/products/just-kraut-raw-sauerkraut/ limiting it strictly to 1/2 Teaspoon full on evening meal for my wife, and 1 Tspn for me per day. Our logic is to use this to slowly repopulate the Gastro Intestinal Tract with favorable bacteria, while hopefully displacing the unfriendly bacteria, with the potential bonus of it being raw cabbage, as we heard that raw organic cabbage juice may heal ulcers. The trick has been for us to be disciplined not to overdose, and to stick with the program if we can, even if we feel a little out of sorts in the G.I.tract, or have a little diarrea from time to time. My wife had to skip it for two nights running, because she was getting too delicate inside, then she got “back on the horse”. I have missed no doses for about 4 weeks now, and feeling the ulcers slowly shrinking. The reason we are D.I.Y. ing it is because we ran out of money for experts a long time ago, but still want to live! If you want to get some idea of my journey so far, see Joe-Susan Healy on Facebook. We are so blessed to have learned people like Dr. Axe, to share so much wisdom with us. 🙂 – Joe.
Hi Candace, I am not a practitioner, just a learner like you. I also am like you, and presently my wife and I are trying a locally made organic, plain, Sauerkraut https://benourished.co.nz/products/just-kraut-raw-sauerkraut/ limiting it strictly to 1/2 Teaspoon full on evening meal for my wife, and 1 Tspn for me per day. Our logic is to use this to slowly repopulate the Gastro Intestinal Tract with favorable bacteria, while hopefully displacing the unfriendly bacteria, with the potential bonus of it being raw cabbage, as we heard that raw organic cabbage juice may heal ulcers. The trick has been for us to be disciplined not to overdose, and to stick with the program if we can, even if we feel a little out of sorts in the G.I.tract, or have a little diarrea from time to time. My wife had to skip it for two nights running, because she was getting too delicate inside, then she got “back on the horse”. I have missed no doses for about 4 weeks now, and feeling the ulcers slowly shrinking. The reason we are D.I.Y. ing it is because we ran out of money for experts a long time ago, but still want to live! If you want to get some idea of my journey so far, see Joe-Susan Healy on Facebook. We are so blessed to have learned people like Dr. Axe, to share so much wisdom with us. 🙂 – Joe.
wonderful information every day
i’d love to give all this to my family. unfortunately, even though i’ve been doing this for lots of years and am a retired rn with studies in oriental medicine, eat mostly vegitarian etc, i’m too close to get any acknowledgement for my ideas apparently. i just have to live my walk.
thanks again. with all this information coming out for the public, we can only hope it makes a dent in the dietary mis-infomation around and the curtains will be opened for many folks
blessings
I am so grateful that I discovered your web site, It is the best Information , I have found yet for gut health, Until I been reading the information , had no idea, how important the gut is for long life.
This is absolutely amazing and humbling to hear, Andrew!
Thank you so much for being here and for sharing your love with us.
We do what we do for you and people like you all around the world.
Wishing you and your family endless blessings and love!
What probiotics are best for a person suffering from severe CPTSD, Major depression and anxiety?
Hi Kathie,
We appreciate you reaching out to us about this.
Unfortunately, we are unable to give any kind of medical advice. The best advice we can give you is to consult with one of the doctors we interviewed in the Global series.
Please note that we are not able to select an expert for you.
We’ve created a page with the experts’ contact info as it was available to us.
Here’s the link to the actual webpage:
http://thetruthaboutcancer.com/experts-info-sheet/
We do have one more resource you may be interested in. During our Live Event 2017 series, Dr. Patrick Quillin suggested contacting The Institute of Functional Medicine to locate a practitioner in your area.
If you are interested, here is the link to search for a Functional Medicine Practitioner in your area: https://www.ifm.org/find-a-practitioner/
Blessings and love!
I have CMML-1(leukemia) which was diagnosed in 2/2016 and has been active for the past 36 months. My blood chemistry has been ” low stabil” for the past year with platlet count typically between 40 – 80. I am taking, on a trial basis, 10mg of Jakafi(Ruxolitinib) twice a day which has greatly eased dealing with the passage of this cancer, and may be extending survival, but is not a cure. I also reduce consumption of sugars, processed foods, carbs, and wheat products and try to only use generic foods. I also take 3 cc of 37% food grade H2O2 daily usually at 0400, mid way on the fasting interval between dinner and breakfast and have been on this peroxide rigemine for about 5 years. The theory here is that the residual free O2 will reduce the viruses and anaerobic bacteria in my gut, giving my immune system more freedom to deal with cancerous cells. What do you experts think of this practice? I know that O2 introduced into my gut will change the biota and could create an adverse condition by killing ” anaerobic good” bugs and introducing aerobic ones not normally found. I will appreciate comments, advice, recommendations references, etc. from your group of experts. Best regards, CMS
Hi Charles –
We appreciate you reaching out to us about this.
I’m so sorry to hear about your diagnosis – I’ll be sure to pray for you.
Unfortunately, we are unable to give any kind of medical advice. The best advice we can give you is to consult with one of the doctors we interviewed in the Global series.
Please note that we are not able to select an expert for you.
We’ve created a page with the experts’ contact info as it was available to us.
Here’s the link to the actual webpage:
http://thetruthaboutcancer.com/experts-info-sheet/
We do have one more resource you may be interested in. During our Live Event 2017 series, Dr. Patrick Quillin suggested contacting The Institute of Functional Medicine to locate a practitioner in your area.
If you are interested, here is the link to search for a Functional Medicine Practitioner in your area: https://www.ifm.org/find-a-practitioner/
I’m also attaching the info about the Hope4Cancer clinic in Tijuana, MX if you’d like to reach out to them.
http://www.hope4cancer.com/
https://hope4cancer.com/schedule-a-call/
Please also see the resources below in case they will be helpful to you.
From our beginning, we have supported charities that really help these cancer patients.
HealingStrong:
http://healingstrong.com/
https://www.facebook.com/healingstrong
HealingStrong supports MANY cancer patients and are amazing. HealingStrong, a nonprofit organization, is supported 100% by volunteers, who are experienced in using natural strategies. The organization’s mission is to educate, encourage, equip, and empower those seeking comprehensive natural strategies to heal strong and stay strong.
HealingStrong Connect Groups meet monthly in various areas of the U.S. and South Australia to link others interested in natural strategies, holistic protocols, and local resources. Their groups focus on mind, body and emotional healing based on Biblical promises, as they believe the God of the Bible is our healer. For more information on how to start a group, or become involved in one, please go to: http://www.healingstrong.org/groups, and like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/healingstrong.
Cancer Crackdown is so awesome and helps patients without a lot of money get supplements and treatments and even helps them raise money:
http://cancercrackdown.org/
https://www.facebook.com/CancerCrackdown
Also, the Independent Cancer Research Foundation is another charity that we support, also known as Cancer Tutor. They have been a TREMENDOUS help for cancer patients and have a TON of life saving information they give out freely and they do real research into treatments for cancer that are outside of the toxic Big Pharma Big 3:
http://www.theicrf.com/
The best that we can suggest is to contact Healing Strong and Cancer Crackdown for any need in financial resources.
We also support Mary Beth’s “Nick Gonzalez Foundation” which is bringing Nick’s protocol to the people…which is one of the most powerful cancer killing protocols out there.
I hope this is helpful! Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us again if there’s anything else we can help with.
Wishing you endless blessings and love!
What is your opinion for taking about 1Tbsp. or Diatomaceous Earth, daily?
Is there any side effects from taking this, and do you think it’s necessary?
I would like it if you unsubscribed me from your list.
Thank you
Hi Brigit –
Thanks for reaching out to us about this. We’d be glad to assist with this.
Please feel free to contact our customer support team with this and they would be more than happy to help you with unsubscribing.
By phone you can reach them at:
1-877-521-5572
They’re available during normal business hours of 9am – 5pm Eastern Standard Time.
Or you can reach out to them anytime via this link:
https://support.thetruthaboutcancer.com/submit_ticket
Hope this helps. 🙂 Please don’t hesitate to let us know if there’s anything else we can help with.
Blessings and love!