Children, working hours, what’s for dinner… these are the things that often occupy our thoughts. What happens inside our cells? Not so much. However, the health of our cells is the key to a healthy body, and enzymes play an important role in the entire process.
This article is an in-depth look at enzymes, what they actually are, how I use them, and how they can help with energy, digestion, and more. While I don’t take many supplements, and I don’t even take them daily, enzymes are one of the exceptions. I used enzymes in my journey to recover from Hashimoto’s autoimmune disease and I still use them for other reasons.
After 7 years of taking them and lots of trial and error, I’m sharing what I’ve found!
What are enzymes?
Enzymes are like precision tools our bodies use to break things down and rebuild them. From a scientific point of view, enzymes are protein catalysts that reduce activation energy and speed up our reactions without consuming the body. Different keys serve different purposes, such as a key only fits a certain lock. For example, lipase helps digest fats and only fats, while amylase only digests carbohydrates.
They also perform differently under different conditions, so they can perform differently depending on how they are used. Things like pH, temperature, cofactors, and minerals all play a role in pulling the trigger for enzymes to do their job.
In theory, we get them from food. especially they produce. Our body also produces many enzymes, such as amylase in our mouth to break down carbohydrates or stomach enzymes to break down proteins in the digestive tract. These enzymes break down most of the macronutrients in our bodies so that we can actually use what we eat.
But with soil quality and nutrient density declining and our gut microbiome and digestion compromised, many of us could use some extra help in this area. In hindsight I finally realized that my body wasn’t producing and using enzymes well and I wasn’t really absorbing all the healthy food I was eating. When it comes to basic health, enzymes are just as important as minerals and light in my book.
They are especially useful during times of stress, inflammation and bowel problems. Enzymes are also important in the fight against heavy metals, parasites and general regeneration.
The best way to get enzymes
If our body is not producing all the enzymes we need efficiently, then the next best thing is to take a quality enzyme supplement. How you perceive them makes a difference though. When we take enzymes with food, they help us digest, absorb and break down the compounds in our food more efficiently. These are especially helpful for reducing bloating and gas after eating. Digestive enzymes also help with that heavy, over-full feeling when food is just sitting around and not being broken down properly.
Taking enzymes on an empty stomach works completely differently. Away from food, enzymes work systematically, such as proteolytic enzymes. So while they have several uses, timing is of the essence here. Research has explored enzymes such as serrapeptase and nattokinase for circulation and supporting inflammation. Nattokinase has been studied to break down blood clots, while serrapeptase has been investigated for postoperative edema.
You can find enzymes derived from plants and microbes that help the body fill in the gaps of what it’s already doing. I learned the hard way that the best way to support the body is to work within the body’s natural systems. The idea is not to bypass or overload the body’s natural systems, which can lead to problems down the road.
Different types of enzymes
I mentioned that different enzymes do different things, so what are the different types of enzymes? First there are lipases, which deal with the breakdown of fats, such as glycerol and fatty acids. Next are amylases such as glucoamylase and lactase. These deal with carbohydrates, starches, lactose oligosaccharides and other forms of carbohydrates. There are even some enzymes that target fiber to make it more digestible, meaning less gas and bloating.
Special enzymes such as serrapeptase and nattokinase perform other functions in the body.
Additional Enzyme Codes
Flip over a bottle of extra enzyme and you’re sure to see various abbreviations and lingo on the label. For example, protease can be labeled with HUT, PC and SAPU, which are related to the amount of enzymes and their activity.
These units are more important than milligrams, which doesn’t tell you much about what’s really working for you. There are a lot of different terms to consider here, but the main idea is to look beyond grams and milligrams and look at units of activity.
Who should take enzymes?
Not every supplement is the best option or necessary for every person. Those who may benefit most from taking an enzyme supplement include anyone with impaired bowel or bowel function. digestive issues. Research shows that for those with low stomach acid and pancreatic insufficiency, both of which can occur with age.
And if this problem is not addressed, we tend to produce less stomach acid and less pancreatic enzymes as we age. Anyone on a high protein or high fat diet can also see the benefits, as we require more digestive power from our bodies and it could use the extra boost.
Another time I prioritize enzymes is when I’m traveling and eating out or on vacation. Since I break my routine during these times, I find that enzymes are helpful in keeping my digestion going.
How to make enzymes more efficient
If there’s one theme you’ve probably heard me repeat over and over again, it’s that supplements work best when they’re placed on a solid foundation. Enzymes are no exception. Before adjusting the dosage or experimenting with timing, I focused on simple foundational habits that support the production and activity of the body’s enzymes.
You need to chew more than you think
Carbohydrate digestion begins in the mouth thanks to salivary amylase. When we rush to eat, we skip this important first step. Digestion begins before we swallow.
Slowing down also puts us into a parasympathetic state (“rest and digest”). When we are stressed or distracted, digestive secretions can decrease. For me something as simple as taking three slow breaths before eating makes me feel so much better afterwards.
Support stomach acid (if needed)
Low stomach acid becomes more common with age and can interfere with protein digestion and nutrient absorption. Having enough stomach acid is important to break down proteins. Betaine HCl or bitter may be useful for this, but check with your provider first. This is very individual and anyone with ulcers, reflux, GI bleeding or using certain medications should work with a specialist before trying.
Don’t water things
Hydration is important, but too much fluid during meals can dilute stomach acid and enzymes. I drink most of my fluids between meals rather than with them. For some people, just this small change can reduce bloating and feeling overly full after a meal.
Move after meals
Even a light walk after a meal supports digestion and blood sugar regulation. I often go for a short walk after eating (especially in the sun!). Movement too supports lymph flow. A short walk, gentle stretching, or simply staying active can support both digestion and recovery without the need for vigorous exercise.
The subject of minerals
Enzymes rely on cofactors such as magnesium, zinc, and sodium. Zinc especially plays a role in the production of digestive enzymes and the activity of stomach acid. This is what I see minerals as a base. When we have enough minerals, enzymes, both those we make and those we supplement, work better.
Enzymes and Autoimmune Recovery: My Experience
While recovering from Hashimoto’s, I often felt like things were stuck inside, like things weren’t moving well. Joints in the morning, swollen fingers and low energy were very common for me. I started with the basics, like minerals, nervous system function, sunlight, sleep, and focusing on eating protein. I then placed in both digestive and systemic enzymes.
The changes were gradual, but over time I noticed:
- My rings were looser in the morning
- My joints felt less
- Digestion felt smooth instead of heavy
- My sleep deepened
Enzymes aren’t a magic pill, but I’ve definitely noticed how using them helps my body have what it needs to achieve my health goals. And consistency helped more than intense performance.
Enzymes for performance and recovery
Although this is often discussed in fitness circles, it is worth noting. Especially since more and more people are realizing how much better they feel physically and mentally by focusing on them. healthy proteins.
Digestive enzymes can support higher protein intake by improving nutrient breakdown and reducing bloating. Proteolytic enzymes (derived from food) have also been studied to support muscle recovery and reduce delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS).
Although performance was not my primary reason for using enzymes, I have seen consistent anecdotal benefits here, especially among strength athletes. My junior athletes are now taking enzymes without my asking because they have noticed a difference too.
The best enzyme options
As with any supplement, quality and context matter. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking anticoagulants, have a bleeding disorder, have active GI bleeding after surgery or an ulcer, or Children may benefit from specific enzymes, but you can always check with their provider for targeted advice.
When choosing an enzyme, look for something that clearly states the units of activity (not just milligrams). Third-party security testing when available is also something I refer to. I also want formulas that are active at the right pH level so my body can actually use the enzymes.
My favorite enzymes that check all the boxes for me are:
Practical tips if you want to experiment
If you are thinking about enzymes, this is the approach that worked for me:
- Low start (one capsule)
- Track how you feel (digestion, energy, stiffness, sleep, etc.)
- Increase gradually if necessary
- Decide on timing (with and without meals)
- Keep the basics strong: minerals, protein, sunlight, exercise, stress management
I’ve found that timing and consistency are more important to me than high doses.
Final Thoughts on Enzymes
Enzymes may not be flashy or trendy, but they are quiet catalysts hard at work behind the scenes. For me, they were a needle when it came to sleep, minerals, sunlight, nervous system safetyand nutrient density.
I don’t take many supplements every day. Enzymes are one of the few that I regularly cycle through because I’ve seen enough benefits to keep them in my kit. Our bodies are incredibly smart, but sometimes they just need the right support to be the way they were designed to be.
Have you ever experimented with enzymes? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!
