Digestive Enzymes: When Do They Actually Help?

What digestive enzymes actually do

Help break down specific macronutrients — proteases for protein, lipases for fat, amylases for carbohydrates — supplementing the enzymes the body already naturally produces in the digestive tract.

Where supplementation has genuine evidence

Specific diagnosed conditions like pancreatic insufficiency, or lactose intolerance (where lactase supplementation is well-established), show clear evidence for enzyme supplementation providing real benefit.

Where the evidence is weaker

General 'digestive support' marketing aimed at otherwise healthy people without a diagnosed enzyme deficiency has considerably less evidence behind it — occasional bloating or discomfort often has other causes worth investigating first.

What to check before assuming enzymes are the answer

Eating too quickly, food intolerances, high-FODMAP foods, or simply overeating are all far more common causes of digestive discomfort than an actual enzyme deficiency — worth ruling these out before turning to supplementation.