There are many supplements that aim to improve digestive health, and sometimes it can be difficult to choose the right one, especially when it comes to the trade-off between probiotics or digestive enzymes, as few people know the differences between them. And whether they help relieve symptoms.
According to Live Science, probiotics and digestive enzyme supplements can help improve gut health, but at the same time they can affect different aspects of digestive health and have a different effect on other parts of the body.
Various activities
In short, enzymes for the digestive system break down complex nutrients into smaller molecules, while probiotics help maintain a balance between “good” and “bad” gut bacteria. As such, they treat or improve the condition of the digestive system and help solve its various problems. But when choosing between probiotics and digestive enzymes, it’s important to know which symptoms these supplements can target because they both serve different functions.
Digestive enzymes
Most foods cannot be absorbed by the human body in their natural form because they contain compounds that are too complex to cross the blood-intestinal barrier. The role of digestive enzymes is shown at this stage.
Digestive enzymes are small protein molecules that the body makes to break down these complex food compounds so that the body can absorb and use the nutrients. All enzymes for the digestive system have their unique shape and a very specific “active site” designed to attract and interact with target components. Digestive enzymes are secreted in the salivary glands, stomach, small intestine and pancreas, which is an essential organ that contributes to good digestion and produces the most important digestive enzymes.
Gut Bacteria (iStock)
Common types
Common types of digestive enzymes include:
• Amylase: It is produced in salivary glands and pancreas and it breaks down complex carbohydrates into sugars.
• Lipase: Produced in the pancreas, it breaks down fats into free fatty acids and glycerol.
• Protease: Produced in the pancreas, it breaks down proteins into single amino acids.
• Lactase: Lactose produced in the small intestine is broken down into glucose and galactose.
• Sucrose: Sucrose produced in the small intestine is broken down into glucose and fructose.
Digestive enzymes can be obtained from supplements and foods such as pineapple, papaya, mango, honey, banana, avocado, kefir, cabbage, kimchi, kiwi and ginger.
Live yeasts
Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that benefit human health by improving the balance and function of gut bacteria. Probiotics are found in many supplements and foods, such as yogurt, kefir, and kimchi. Many bacteria can be classified as probiotics because they each have different benefits and roles in the digestive system, but most come from two groups; They are Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium.
Lactobacilli bacteria are naturally found in the mouth, genital canal, and small intestine. It is the most common probiotic found in dairy products and fermented foods. Bifidobacterium is often found in the intestines and stomach, and its main role is to fight “bad” bacteria. Saccharomyces poulardii can also be found; It is a probiotic yeast strain that improves digestion.
Reasons to use probiotics
Some common symptoms that indicate the body needs probiotics include:
Gas and bloating
Irregular bowel movements
• Skin problems like acne, eczema and rashes
• Mood problems such as anxiety and irritability
Trouble concentrating or “brain fog”
• Weak immunity
• Genital or rectal infection or itching
• Joint pain or poor joint health
Fatigue
bad breath
Symptoms of digestive enzyme deficiency
Common symptoms that indicate the body needs digestive enzyme supplements include:
Gas, bloating and indigestion
Acid reflux
• Nausea
• Excessive burning
• Feeling uncomfortable after eating
• Food sensitivities
Oily stools
• Unexplained weight loss
Medical conditions
Digestive enzymes are commonly used to treat digestive enzyme deficiency. There are many reasons why the body struggles to produce enough digestive enzymes. Many disabilities can be attributed to a specific genetic predisposition, whether they are congenital (present at birth) or develop later in life.
Common types of digestive enzyme deficiency include:
• Adequate glucose
• Not enough pancreatic enzymes
• Lactose intolerance
Certain medical procedures or health conditions can cause problems with digestive enzyme production. as follows:
• Diabetes
Chronic pancreatitis
• Cystic fibrosis
• Gastrointestinal surgeries
• Pancreatic cancer
• Crohn’s disease
• Cholecystectomy
• Aging
Weight loss
Digestive enzymes can make a big difference in people with digestive enzyme deficiencies. But there is no scientific evidence that it provides additional health benefits for people with a healthy digestive system. On the other hand, probiotics can help you achieve many health and fitness goals regardless of whether the body is out of balance. Probiotics can help you lose weight and lose weight. According to a systematic review published in Nutrients, overweight and obese individuals who took probiotics for an average of 12 weeks could lose excess weight. As shown in The Lancet, gut bacteria help regulate energy metabolism, appetite and food reward signaling, which play a key role in obesity prevention.
Strengthening the immune system
Probiotics can help strengthen the body’s immune system and reduce exposure to infections. As scientists note in a report in Nature, gut bacteria are in constant contact with the immune system, actively influencing how the body responds to pathogens and cancer cells. In fact, according to the immune system, digestive health may be an important factor in preventing or controlling the development of inflammatory diseases.
Complete mix
Experts explain that a combination of digestive enzymes and probiotics can be a safe approach to support healthy digestion. Although both enzymes and probiotics work on the digestive system, they treat different health problems and are not mutually exclusive. In fact, some types of probiotics help produce certain enzymes to aid digestion.
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