Digestive Enzymes
What are Digestive Enzymes?
Digestive enzymes are used to break down the food we eat into smaller pieces so that nutrients in the food can be easily absorbed. Our bodies naturally make digestive enzymes in our mouth, our small intestine, and our pancreas. Without these enzymes, our bodies can’t break down our food to use the nutrients.
Some people have digestive enzyme insufficiency, meaning they do not produce enough enzymes to properly break down their food. This can lead to gastrointestinal issues, nutrient deficiencies and many other health problems. Some signs of digestive enzyme insufficiency may include lack of appetite, feelings of fullness, floating stool, gas, and bloating.
For those that don’t make enough digestive enzymes internally, supplements can be a great option. The enzymes found in supplements are often sourced from other animals and typically come in three main forms; those that break down carbohydrates (amylase), those that break down proteins (protease), and those that break down fats (lipase). Many supplements combine all 3 forms for comprehensive digestive support. Some enzymes are extracted from plants, like pineapple (bromelain) or papaya (papain) and these are used specifically to help breakdown proteins.
What is the Difference Between Digestive Enzymes and Digestive Bitters?
Digestive Bitters are a concentrated tincture of bitter herbs, roots, bark, seeds, fruit, or flowers. These work by stimulating our body to produce ”digestive juices”, which includes digestive enzymes. On the other hand, digestive enzyme supplements are different from bitters as these are an external supplement source of enzymes that the body naturally produces during the digestion of food.
Are Digestive Enzymes Beneficial for Autism?
For some kids, yes! Digestive enzymes can be very helpful in supporting the proper breakdown and absorption of nutrients from food. However, it is important to investigate the root cause of digestive enzyme insufficiency and address it directly. In the meantime, digestive enzyme supplements are a great option.
A recent study explained that children with ASD and other gut issues have low digestive enzyme activity, damaged gut lining and antibodies to dietary proteins indicating an immune system response to certain foods/food sensitivities. [1]
A second study showed that those with ASD that received digestive enzyme therapy for 3 months had significant improvement in both their Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) scores (including emotional response and general impression autistic score) and their Global Behavior Rating Scales (GBRS) scores (including general behavior and gastrointestinal symptoms). [2]
Another study used digestive enzymes in conjunction with other supplements and diet changes. Those receiving these therapies had significantly greater improvement in autism symptoms and developmental age, increases in EPA, DHA, carnitine, and vitamins A, B2, B5, B6, B12, folic acid, and Coenzyme Q10.[3]
Supplementation*
Dosing
When choosing a digestive enzyme supplement, look at the label for the FCC “activity units”. This gives you an idea of the potency of the supplement. Proteases are measured in HUT, amylases in DU and lipases in FCCIP. Larger numbers mean higher potency.
When determining dose, start with 25% of the adult dose and increase as tolerated with guidance from a healthcare provider.
Our Favorite Digestive Enzyme Supplements:
Chewable
Powder
Capsule
If your child has an egg allergy, some enzymes may not be appropriate as they may contain lysozyme (made from egg protein). Always read the labels.
DISCLAIMER: Before starting any supplement or medication, always consult with your healthcare provider to ensure it is a good fit for your child. Dosage can vary based on age, weight, gender, and current diet.
*All supplements are linked to Amazon for convenience, however, buying supplements on Amazon does not guarantee quality, as there are many “unverified resellers” selling nutrition supplements. To buy supplements that are verified to be sent directly to the consumer, you can create an account on the Autism Dietitian FullScript and search for the supplement under “Catalog”.
Authors
Edited & Reviewed by Brittyn Coleman, MS, RDN/LD, CLT
