Amylase
Amylase, which is present in saliva and pancreatic secretions, breaks carbohydrate strands into ready-to-use simple sugars like glucose to fuel the body. Amylase is critical for creating glucose from starches in the diet. Supplementation with amylase assists the body’s own enzymatic breakdown of complex carbohydrates.
Protease
Proteases break proteins into peptides and amino acids, allowing for proper digestion and efficient absorption. Proteases have been studied in the realm of physical function and performance and appear to reduce inflammation and improve injury recovery without side effects associated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS).2
Papain
Made from the latex found in the skin of papaya (Carica papaya), papain contains a complex of enzymes that promote the breakdown of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.3 Studies show that supplemental papain assists in the body’s digestive process by encouraging the gastric mucosa to release more native enzymes.4
Bromelain
Bromelain, derived from pineapple (Ananas comosus), is the name of a group of proteolytic (protein-digesting) enzymes.3 An advantage of using pineapple-derived bromelain is its stability in a wide variety of pH environments. Because of its versatility, bromelain is active in both the stomach and the small intestine.3 Bromelain has been studied in a variety of contexts and shows promise in reducing pain and inflammation in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.5
Lipase
Lipase assists in the breakdown of fats into smaller fatty acids for absorption. In the body, lipase is naturally produced by the pancreas. Fat malabsorption can lead to fatty stools (steatorrhea), and poor absorption of fat-soluble vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin D, and vitamin K.6 Vegetarian lipase has a theoretical advantage over animal-sourced lipases in that it may be better able to withstand the varying pH levels in the GI tract.6
