Problems with your digestion? What's behind it and what helps

Veröffentlicht am: September 04, 2024
Dr. med. Wolfgang Bachmann
Dr. med. Wolfgang Bachmann

General practitioner

The saying: "You are what you eat." is not so well known for nothing. After all, you are what you eat and what you digest. Does this also mean that digestive enzymes are the key to good health? 

The topic of digestive enzymes is relatively new. Until recently, not much was known about enzymes or the exact function of our digestive system. But nowadays, diseases related to diet are becoming increasingly common, so it makes sense to take a closer look at the subject of digestion.

The digestive trio for your health

Our diet essentially consists of 3 macronutrients:

  • Proteins
  • Fats
  • Carbohydrates

And it is precisely these that have to be broken down into smaller pieces in the digestive process, as otherwise they cannot be utilized.

For the breakdown of macronutrients, we have 3 types of digestive enzymes at our disposal:

  • Proteases: for the cleavage of proteins
  • Lipases: for the breakdown of fats
  • Amylases: for the breakdown of carbohydrates

The main task of these enzymes is therefore to extract the available nutrients from the macronutrients, absorb them and thus make them usable for the various processes in the body.

➤ Without digestive enzymes we would not be able to digest food!

 

Where can you find digestive enzymes?

There are many foods that naturally contain a high proportion of digestive enzymes. Raw fruit and vegetables grown in nutrient-rich soil are a very good source. Bromelain from pineapple and papain from papaya are considered to be the most effective digestive enzymes from food. But there is more.

The best natural sources of digestive enzymes are:

  • Fruit: pineapple, papaya, mango, banana, avocado, kiwi
  • Animal: beef and pork 
  • Vegetable: mushrooms, lettuce, sprouts
  • Fermented foods: such as sauerkraut and soy products

➤ The best natural digestive enzymes are found in pineapple and papaya.

When are digestive enzymes particularly important?

1) For digestive complaints

According to study results, at least one in six people in Germany is affected by chronic digestive problems. 

Digestive enzymes help to alleviate complaints such as heartburn, irritable bowel syndrome and leaky gut syndrome. This is because digestive enzymes reduce the effects of stress on the digestive organs and help the body to break down what is difficult to digest. The fact that digestive enzymes ensure that digestion runs smoothly also reduces the various symptoms of indigestion such as bloating, pain and constipation.

Intestinal cleansing capsules with digestive enzymes

The intestinal cleansing capsules contain the important digestive enzymes alpha-amylase, bromelain (from pineapple) and papain (from papaya). With the digestive enzymes, fiber and intestinal flora cultures, the capsules support the entire digestive function.

➤ Every 6th person in Germany suffers from digestive problems!

2) To prevent nutrient deficiencies

The different types of digestive enzymes help your body to better absorb the nutrients from food. They therefore help to prevent nutrient deficiencies.

A nutrient deficiency can have serious consequences that can seriously affect your health and well-being. 

75% of all people do not consume enough nutrients!

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Which symptoms indicate an enzyme deficiency?

At first glance, digestive enzymes have nothing in common with diseases. Nevertheless, an enzyme deficiency is an indicator of many complaints:

  • An iron or vitamin B12 deficiency can indicate that nutrients cannot be sufficiently utilized from food during the digestive process.
  • A vitamin D deficiency can indicate an absorption disorder.
  • Changes in the stool: A change, e.g. the stool floats on the surface, can be an indication that the pancreatic symptoms are not working properly and the fat could not be broken down.
  • Gastrointestinal complaints: A bloated stomach or diarrhea after eating, are the first indications that the person concerned is suffering from an enzyme deficiency or enzyme insufficiency. This can develop into an intolerance , for example.

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How does an intolerance due to enzyme deficiency develop?

In some people, certain enzymes are simply missing or are not present in sufficient quantities. This enzyme deficiency then leads to an intolerance. The three intolerances listed above are the most common:

1) Lactose intolerance

In Germany, around one in seven people suffers from lactose intolerance, i.e. an intolerance to milk. In those affected, too little lactase is produced in the body to break down the lactose from dairy products. The undigested lactase then enters the large intestine where it is broken down by bacteria. This process leads to flatulence, diarrhea and abdominal pain.

2) Histamine intolerance

Histamine intolerance is not a food intolerance in the true sense of the word. It is based on an enzyme deficiency in the digestion of histamine. Histamine is found, for example, in alcohol such as red wine or sparkling wine. Around 1% of all Europeans are affected. Those affected lack the enzyme diaminoxiadase, which means that the histamine is not broken down properly. This leads to itching, redness, bloating, abdominal pain and nausea.

3) Fructose intolerance

Fructose intolerance is the most common condition in Europe. Almost every 3rd person is affected. Fructose is found in most types of fruit and vegetables. People with fructose intolerance lack the enzyme fructose-1-phosphate aldolase. This enzyme deficiency also causes nausea, flatulence, diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fatigue.

➤ Every 4th person suffers from an enzyme deficiency!

So what can you do to ensure good and pain-free digestion? - 7 tips

  1. If you notice a lack of nutrients, gastrointestinal complaints or a change in your stool, you should also take a close look at the function of your digestive enzymes. 
  2. You can use digestive enzymes such as bromelain and papain, as these stimulate general digestion and reduce digestive problems.
  3. Avoid foods that you know you have an intolerance to (e.g. lactose, gluten or histamine). Or take special enzymes for your intolerance, such as lactase preparations for lactose intolerance.
  4. Take probiotics to provide additional support for your digestion. High-quality probiotics work primarily in the gut and fight bad bacteria that can lead to digestive system disorders, leaky gut syndrome or poor nutrient absorption.
  5. Eat mainly seasonal products from your region and give preference to unprocessed and genetically unmodified food from organic farming
  6. Limit your intake of added sugar and convenience foods
  7. Do not drink too much liquid with meals

Digestive enzymes have only been available as food supplements for around 50 years. Many years before that, people were encouraged to consume raw foods and probiotic foods. This is because these naturally contain enzymes that promote digestion.

With the help of digestive enzymes, you support digestion and prevent nutrient deficiencies and digestive disorders.

Try it out for yourself!

 

Sources (in English):

Boland, M. (2016, May). Human digestion -- a processing perspective. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 96(7):2275-83, doi: 10.1002/jsfa.7601

Janiak, M. C. (2016, September). Digestive enzymes of human and nonhuman primates. Evolutionary Anthropology, 25(5):253-266, doi: 10.1002/evan.21498

Khan, S. H. & Ansari, F. A. (2007, January). Probiotics -- the friendly bacteria with market potential i nglobal market. Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 20(1):76-82