- What are digestive enzyme supplements? Digestive enzyme supplements contain enzymes such as bromelain, papain, amylase, cellulase and phytase, that can help you digest specific foods when you do not naturally produce enough enzymes. (See "What They Are" for a list of enzymes and the foods they break down.) They may also have other beneficial effects.
- How to choose a digestive enzyme supplement: Choose a digestive enzyme supplement that lists enzyme activity units (such as PU, HUT, FIP, etc.), not just the amount of enzyme (such as milligrams) since that won't tell you how potent the enzyme is (See "What They Do"). Also, check that ConsumerLab.com or another reputable independent 3rd party has verified the enzyme activity. As found in this Review, some products don't provide what they list (See "What CL Found")
- Best digestive enzyme supplements? See our Top Pick among products "Approved" by ConsumerLab.com.
- Digestive enzyme supplements safety and side effects: Digestive enzymes are generally well-tolerated but people with allergies to a specific enzyme source, certain medical conditions, or who take medications such as blood-thinners or diabetes drugs may need to avoid specific enzymes (See "Concerns and Cautions").
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Digestive Enzyme Supplements Review
Big Differences in Strength Found Among Digestive Enzyme Supplements. CL Tests Reveal Which Are Best.
Reviewed and edited by Tod Cooperman, M.D.
Alphabetical list of digestive enzyme brands compared in this review
Doctor's Best Best Digestive Enzymes
Dr. Tobias Digest Plant-Based Enzymes
Enzymedica Digest Gold with ATPro
Garden of Life Dr. Formulated Enzymes Organic Digest
GNC Natural Brand Super Digestive Enzymes
Healthy Origins Digestive Enzymes
NOW Optimal Digestive System
Pure Encapsulations Digestive Enzymes Ultra
Renew Life Digest Smart
Synergy Mega Digestive Enzymes
USANA Digestive Enzyme
ZenWise Health Daily Digestive Enzymes With Prebiotics + Probiotics
Be sure you choose the best digestive enzyme supplement, using CL's results and ratings!
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Summary
You must be a member to get the full test results for digestive enzyme supplements along with ConsumerLab's recommendations and quality ratings. You will get results for 12 supplements, including nine selected by ConsumerLab.com and three others that passed the same testing through our voluntary Quality Certification Program. In this comprehensive review, you'll discover:
- Which digestive enzyme supplements failed testing and which passed
- ConsumerLab's Top Pick for digestive enzyme supplements
- What different digestive enzymes do
- The evidence for digestive enzymes for improving digestion and the absorption of nutrients, preventing indigestion, helping with conditions such as lactose intolerance and ulcerative colitis, and other uses such as reducing pain and inflammation
- The amylase, lipase, and protease activity in each supplement and the other important enzymes they contain -- like lactase, alpha-galactosidase, cellulase, and phytase
- How to choose an enzyme supplement and the best way to take them, including what enzyme units to look for on labels and dosage for specific uses
- Potential side effects and drug interactions with digestive enzymes
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Related CL Answers (7)
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