Healthy gut flora is essential for a properly functioning digestive system. The right kinds and levels of digestive enzymes help break down food into molecules that can be absorbed, making digestion more efficient. When you have a sufficient amount of enzymes in your digestive system, it runs more smoothly. A healthy digestive system discourages the growth of Candida and other harmful bacteria by maintaining a low pH level in your stomach.
If you suspect Candida Overgrowth, you are likely experiencing indigestion and related symptoms, such as gas, bloating, and heartburn. This may be a sign that your digestive system is not as efficient in breaking down foods as it should be, or that you have an inadequate amount of digestive enzymes. When Candida Overgrowth occurs, it prevents the body from being able to absorb essential vitamins and nutrients. Digestive enzymes can help break down the food you eat, so your body can properly absorb the vitamins and minerals.
The importance of digestive enzymes for proper metabolic function cannot be overstated. When used in conjunction with the Candida Meal Plan, they can have a powerful effect on your health by supporting your digestion and helping to keep Candida in check.
It is believed that digestive enzymes can also assist in breaking down Candida cell walls and their biofilms, making them unable to function. For example, the enzyme Cellulase is thought to be effective in breaking down Candida cell walls, and Protease specifically eliminates protein waste inside fungal cells (1).
Types of Digestive Enzymes
There are 3 main groups of digestive enzymes:
Amylase
Amylase breaks down carbohydrates into simpler sugars such as glucose. These simple sugars can be used for energy more easily by the body. If you do not have enough amylase, it can result in diarrhea (2).
Protease
Protease is an enzyme that helps break down proteins into smaller polypeptides and amino acids, which the human body can use. The production of protease decreases with age. When there is a lack of protease, it can result in allergies or toxicity in the intestines.
Lipase
These enzymes break down animal fats and oils into fatty acids and glycerol, which aids in the absorption of these nutrients. Fatty acids make up the cell membranes and provide energy, among other things. If you don’t have enough lipase, you won’t be able to absorb fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E and K (3).
Digestive Enzymes List
| Brand | Types of enzymes | Purpose |
| Best Naturals Natural Lactase Enzyme | Lactase Enzyme 3,000 FCC ALU | To breakdown Dairy |
| Doctor’s Best Digestive Enzymes | Amylase Blend 20,000 DU, Protease SP Plus Blend 95,000 HUT, Dipeptidyl-peptidase lV 250 DPP-lV, Bromelain 50 GDU, Papain 500,000 FCC PU, Invertase 100 lNVU, Cellulase 3250 CU, Beta-glucanase 65 BGU, Alpha-galactosidase 500 GalU, Hemicellulase 750 HCU, Xylanase 650 XU, Phytase 10 FTU, Glucoamylase 50 AGU, Lipase 3000 FIP, Lactase 1000 ALU, Bacillus subtilis 1 Billion CFU | Multi-purpose |
| Enzymedica Candidase | Cellulase Thera-blend 60,000 CU, Protease Thera-blend 230,000 HUT | To breakdown Fiber and Proteins |
| Integrative Therapeutics Lipase Concentrate-HP | Microbial Enzymes 110 mg, Lipase I, II 12,600 FIP/5,160 LU | To breakdown Fats |
| Naturenetics DigestWise Powerful Digestive Enzymes | To breakdown Protein: Protease 40,000 HUT, Acid Stable Protease 500 HUT To breakdown Fats: Lipase 1,000 FIP To breakdown Carbohydrates: Amylase 10,000 SKB, Alpha-Galactosidase 165 GAL, Pectinase 55 Endo PG To breakdown Dairy: Lactase 250 ALU To breakdown Sugars: Amyloglucosidase 10 AG To breakdown Fiber: Cellulase 2,000 CU, Hemicellulase 450 HU FCC | Multi-purpose |
| NOW Supplements Pancreatin 2000 | Pancreatin 2000 mg, Amylase 50,000 USP units, Protease 50,000 USP units, Lipase 4,000 USP units | Multi-Purpose |
| NOW Supplements Optimal Digestive System Full Spectrum Enzymes | Amylase Blend 20,000 DU, Protease SP Plus Blend 95,000 HUT, Dipeptidyl-peptidase lV 250 DPP-lV, Bromelain 50 GDU, Papain 500,000 FCC PU, Invertase 100 lNVU, Cellulase 3250 CU, Beta-glucanase 65 BGU, Alpha-galactosidase 500 GalU, Hemicellulase 750 HCU, Xylanase 650 XU, Phytase 10 FTU, Glucoamylase 50 AGU, Lipase 3000 FIP, Lactase 1000 ALU, Bacillus subtilis 1 Billion CFU | Multi-purpose |
| Transformation Protease Enzyme Supplement | Tzyme Protease Blend (peptidases, bromelain) 600,000 PU (492 mg equivalent) | To breakdown Proteins |
When Should I take Digestive Enzymes?
You should always consult the directions on the bottle of digestive enzyme that you are taking. In most cases, you’ll experience the best results if you take digestive enzyme supplements right before eating. The enzymes should have enough time to reach your stomach and mix with the gastric juices. If you’d rather, taking digestive enzymes as soon as you start eating should work just as well. If you take digestive enzymes after eating, they will be less effective as the food has already started digesting in your stomach.
You should also take different types of enzymes in combination with the foods they work well with. For example, Protease supplements help break down animal proteins. To get the most benefit from them, take them along with meals that have meat.
Also, check the proper dosage, which will vary based on the type and strength of the enzyme supplement.
While some people argue over whether or not digestive enzymes and probiotics should be taken together or separately, it’s important to note that probiotics themselves produce digestive enzymes (4). If enzymes destroyed probiotics, probiotics wouldn’t be able to survive in the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, it is possible to take probiotics together with digestive enzymes.
