Digestive Enzymes vs Probiotics
Digestive enzymes are essential if you eat food. If you don’t, maybe it’s time to get some! It plays a vital role in the digestion process by converting the food you eat into energy your body can use.
Without them, you wouldn’t be able to digest proteins, carbohydrates, or fats. Your body produces most of these enzymes naturally. However, there are times when additional support is needed. For example, when someone has an upset stomach or doesn’t feel well after eating certain foods.
Probiotics are bacteria commonly found in yogurt and other fermented foods that have been linked to positive health effects. Unlike, which occur naturally in your body, probiotics must come from sources like food or supplements.
Several studies have shown probiotics benefit the body in many different ways, although more research is needed in this area to provide conclusive evidence. Nonetheless, there are some things you should know about both enzymes and probiotics before deciding which might be right for your situation.
Similarities Between Digestive Enzymes and Probiotics
Both are beneficial because of their ability to keep inflammation at bay. Inflammation can lead to many problems, including stress, infection, cancer, and autoimmune disorders.
For example, several studies have found that taking specific probiotic supplements may help reduce inflammation caused by exercise, heart disease, or leaky gut.
Both of these are beneficial because they help you maintain a strong immune system. There is no doubt your digestive system plays a vital role in keeping your immune system healthy. Your gut produces antibodies responsible for fighting off invading bacteria, viruses, and other harmful substances.
Some evidence suggests probiotics can bolster the body’s natural defenses. This includes helping keep colds at bay, supporting the body against food poisoning, and preventing some types of diarrhea.
Keep in mind that most studies examining the role of probiotic supplements on the immune system use commercial preparations rather than isolated strains or naturally occurring sources like fermented foods.
Several scientific investigations suggest both may reduce the risk of cancer. A systematic review reported that taking probiotics after treatment for colorectal cancer may reduce the risk of disease recurrence.
Other studies show yogurt containing live cultures may also decrease the risk of bladder, ovary, and breast cancers. One animal study found a commercial enzyme supplement reduced DNA damage compared to a control group concerning digestive enzymes.
Differences Between Digestive Enzymes vs. Probiotics
Although it can be confusing, there are some significant differences between them and probiotics. Here is how they stack up against each other in terms of beneficial effects on health:
THEY’RE NOT CREATED EQUALLY: Naturally, your body makes them naturally to help break down the food you eat. Probiotics, on the other hand, can come from outside sources such as foods or supplements.
SOME PROBIOTICS CONTAIN LIVE CULTURES: Some commercial probiotic preparations contain live bacteria and yeasts that survive passage through your stomach acid and benefit the lower gastrointestinal tract. On the other hand, digestive enzymes are made up of different types of proteins and peptides and do not contain any living organisms.
THEY’RE NOT INTERCHANGEABLE: People often assume if they have a specific condition like IBS, taking digestive enzymes will help when it may make things worse. Individuals with IBS are more likely to have poor absorption in their small intestines, which worsens when foods are not adequately broken down in the stomach.
Taking additional food enzymes would be like putting a band-aid on an arterial wall that is about to burst due to lack of blood flow.
SOME MAY INTERACT WITH EACH OTHER: Although no evidence taking both at the same time will negatively interact in your body, some experts believe they could cancel out the effects of either supplement in certain situations.
For example, if you suffer from SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth), taking both enzymes and probiotics could feed bacteria in your small intestines and prevent them from dying off naturally.
IN TERMS OF SAFETY: Most digestive enzyme supplements include proteolytic (protein digestion) and lipolytic (fat digestion) enzymes. These are entirely safe to take in supplemental amounts, but there is some concern about the long-term use of specific types of proteolytic enzymes because they may damage the gut’s natural digestive lining.
SOME PROBIOTICS HAVE BEEN LINKED WITH CERTAIN SIDE EFFECTS: For example, Lactobacillus, usually considered friendly bacteria, can sometimes cause infections. One study found that while most people don’t experience any adverse reaction when using probiotics, up to 75% of participants reported minor gastrointestinal issues.
TAKEAWAY ON DIGESTIVE ENZYMES VS. PROBIOTICS: Although both are known for their health benefits, it is essential to understand you should not take them at the same time if you suffer from SIBO. As for which one is more effective, no studies have directly compared their effects on humans.
Which Might Be Best For You?
It all comes down to your specific health goals and whether or not you have any existing medical conditions.
IF YOU ARE OVERWEIGHT OR OBESE: You may benefit more from taking a Lactobacillus probiotic, which has been shown to help some people lose weight.
IF YOU HAVE IBS, GERD, OR ULCERS: This is one of the main reasons why some experts recommend against using digestive enzymes with SIBO. Instead, they suggest taking a specific type of probiotic known as an SBO (small bowel organism) that inhibits bad bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract.
IF YOUR CHILD HAS DIARRHEA: Because it’s important to balance “good” and “bad” gut flora in infants, it is best not to give them supplements containing probiotics until they are eight years old 22. However, if your baby suffers from infantile colic, it may be a good idea to try giving them a digestive enzyme with Lactobacillus Plantarum.
IF YOU HAVE A LEAKY GUT SYNDROME OR IBD: You may want to take a probiotic containing live strains of Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 because this type of bacteria has been shown to help maintain normal gut health.
Studies have also found a direct correlation between the amount of E. coli in your stool and the severity of symptoms when suffering from Crohn’s disease. Other types of beneficial bacteria include Bifidobacteria, Saccharomyces boulardii, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG), and VSL#3.
IF YOU WANT TO IMPROVE DIGESTIVE HEALTH AND PREVENT VARIOUS DISEASES: Both may work together to address different stages of digestion by breaking down proteins, fats, starches, and sugars.
However, if your goal is weight loss or preventing disease, it would be best to take a product containing live cultures such as Lactobacillus acidophilus. Again this comes back to understanding the need for healthy gut bacteria versus overgrowth of bad bacteria that cause problems such as SIBO.
You must understand your current health condition before deciding whether or not it would be best for you to take digestive enzyme supplements or probiotics.
Final Thoughts on Digestive Enzymes vs. Probiotics
The digestive tract has both good and bad bacteria that are all important for your overall health. If you suffer from SIBO, it would be best to take a specific probiotic strain known as an SBO (small bowel organism) rather than digestive enzymes with SIBO.
Other studies have found that some types of Lacto strains may help reduce the amount of “bad” bacteria in your intestines. A 2010 study published in Nature Immunology showed how taking certain probiotics helped regulate the immune system.
Finally, whether you decide to take digestive enzyme supplements vs. probiotics, it is vital to maintain proper food hygiene and implement general gut health strategies.
Some of these include exercising, eating a balanced diet, managing stress levels, getting enough sleep, using natural remedies such as turmeric to balance hormones, taking supplements known for their anti-inflammatory abilities (i.e., probiotics), learning relaxation techniques, etc.