Digestive Enzymes that Maximize Protein Digestion

Enzymes are proteins that help your body break down and build substances. Your body uses these enzymes to perform necessary functions all over the body, from cellular repair to extracting nutrients from food.

Estimates of how many enzymes the human body naturally produces range from 1,300 to 5,000. Each enzyme has a specific function which is determined by its “active site.” This active site has a unique shape that can only bind to something it’s compatible with, like a puzzle piece. There are 7 main categories of enzymes, but we will just focus on the ones that are relevant to digestion.

• Amylase breaks down carbohydrates
• Lipase breaks down fats
• Lactase breaks down dairy products
• Sucrase breaks down sugar
• Protease breaks down proteins

Your body can not use protein in its raw form, meaning it has to be broken down to be used. So, how can we support protein digestion to ensure we’re getting all the nutrients we need from our food?

Digestive Checkpoints

To understand how to support protein digestion, we should first look at all of the checkpoints where digestion occurs in your body.

Checkpoint 1: The Mouth

Digestion begins here. Not only are you breaking your food down into smaller pieces by chewing, but saliva also contains Amylase and Lipase, which break down carbohydrates and fat, respectively.

Checkpoint 2: The Stomach

Protein digestion begins here. Your stomach is the most acidic part of your digestive system, containing high levels of hydrochloric acid. This acid, along with Protease and Pepsin, breaks down proteins into amino acid chains.

These chains are just fragments of protein and must be broken down further in order for your body to be able to use them.

Checkpoint 3: The Small Intestine

As the amino acid chains travel to the small intestine, they come into contact with enzymes from the pancreas, Amylase, Lipase, and Protease. These enzymes, along with bile produced in the liver, complete the breakdown of amino acid chains into individual amino acids.

Now that they are small enough, they can pass through the walls of your intestine and enter the blood where they can be used to repair tissue, build muscle, and support other body processes.

Checkpoint 4: The Large Intestine

Any amino acid chains that have not been fully broken down and absorbed in the small intestine then travel to the large intestine. Here, the bacteria in your gut microbiome will complete the breakdown process of proteins and absorb additional nutrients.

The large intestine is also where most of the water you drink is absorbed. Waste products that are unable to be used by the body are collected here for disposal.

Digestive Disturbances and Enzyme Deficiencies

The pancreas produces enzymes, and the liver produces bile. These are both very important to the digestive process. If your liver or pancreas doesn’t produce enough digestive juices, it may be a good idea to supplement with a digestive supplement. Conditions that may affect your organs’ ability to produce bile and enzymes are; pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, pancreatic cancer, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, Fabry disease, or Krabbe disease.

Sometimes, your body does not naturally produce the enzymes it needs to digest nutrients independently of organ function, like in the case of lactose intolerance, where the enzyme needed to process dairy is lacking. A similar condition exists for sugar, called sucrase-isomaltase deficiency, where the body can’t break down sugars effectively.

If you are having digestive problems like bloating, diarrhea, or cramping, you may have a gastrointestinal issue that is affecting your ability to digest food. This can come from conditions like Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome, or a history of gastrointestinal surgery. These conditions are not typically due to an insufficiency of enzymes or bile, but rather a structural problem or an unbalanced microbiome. Digestive enzymes may still be helpful in this case but do not address the root of the problem.

8 Tips to Improve Protein Digestion

So, how can we ensure that we are extracting all the nutrients we can from our food?

1. Drink lots of water
2. Try a probiotic like this one from Klaire Labs
3. Eat slowly and thoroughly chew your food
4. Choose whole proteins
5. Spread out your protein intake throughout the day
6. Try an enzyme supplement
7. Exercise regularly, but not right after a meal
8. Reduce stress for optimal digestion

Enzyme Supplements

Supplements that include bile salts and enzymes can help your body break down proteins more thoroughly if you are not producing enough of them on your own.

Theramedix Super Strength Digestion Supply Broad-Spectrum Support

Theramedix makes a powerful digestive aid that contains enzymes and bile salts that improve the digestion of carbohydrates, fats, fiber, and proteins. Super Strength Digestion ensures efficient digestion of all macronutrients because it contains Amylase, Lipase, Protease, and other specialized enzymes that support the digestion of dairy products and complex carbohydrates, helping reduce digestive discomfort and improve nutrient absorption. This formula is the best approach for someone seeking comprehensive digestive support.

Thorne Research Advanced Digestive Enzymes Target Protein Digestion

Thorne Research‘s targeted formula is specifically engineered to target the breakdown of protein. With four different enzymes that assist in the digestion of protein and two additional enzymes that help digest other macronutrients, this supplement will help your body extract all amino acids from the protein you eat for optimal muscle function and recovery. This Advanced Digestive Enzyme formula is ideal for anyone seeking improved protein digestion that does not require extensive support for digestion of other macronutrients.

Conclusion

Optimizing protein digestion is a great strategy for ensuring that your body effectively absorbs and utilizes the nutrients you consume. By understanding the role of digestive enzymes and the checkpoints in the digestive process, you can take proactive steps to support your body’s ability to break down protein. Whether it’s through dietary changes, enzyme supplementation, or lifestyle adjustments like reducing stress and eating mindfully, enhancing your protein digestion can lead to better overall health and improved bodily functions.

Taking care of your digestive system and improving nutrient absorption will allow you to optimize your health and properly power your body processes.

FAQs

How can I absorb more protein?

Try these 8 tips to improve protein digestion:

1. Drink lots of water
2. Try a probiotic
3. Eat slowly and thoroughly chew your food
4. Choose whole proteins
5. Spread out your protein intake throughout the dat
6. Try an enzyme supplement
7. Exercise regularly, but not right after a meal
8. Reduce stress for optimal digestion

Do digestive supplements help digest protein?

Yes! Digestive supplements contain digestive enzymes and bile salts that help your body break down macronutrients into their usable parts, so you can absorb all the nutrients available in your food.

What’s the difference between an enzyme and a probiotic?

Enzymes help break apart food into useful nutrients, while probiotics help shape the bacterial population in your intestines, which keeps your gut lining from allowing waste products into your bloodstream.