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How To Know You Need Digestive Enzymes?

seraphim

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seraphim Contributor
seraphim
Posted

I've heard a lot of talk about digestive enzymes...I've been very sick this week and yesterday couldn't keep anything down....there was something in it after getting sick multiple times..curd like...and it got me thinking perhaps it was undigested food from days ago? Anyhow i'm living on just water today but it got me thinking...how do you know when you need enzymes? What happens if you take a guess and take them anyhow? Will you wind up with too much stomach acid or something like  that? I've been dancing with the idea for a while and I'd really like  to try some but not if they are going to cause problems. I have no idea if the body has a way of regulating that stuff if you take some so that you don't get too much? Any info greatly appreciated as i know nothing about how they work. Also what brand do you recommend? Of course gluten free but must be free of dairy as well due to a milk allergy. Thanks!

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Pegleg84 Collaborator
Pegleg84
Posted

Hey,

 

I've slacked off on my digestive enzymes lately, but when taking them regularly with meals I just tend to digest things better in general. How to know if you need them? I think if you're still having trouble with digestion even when you didn't get glutened, enzymes can help. They will NOT prevent the effects of a gluten or other foods you're intolerant to, but I find they do help with the healing process, and just keeping things running normally.

 

Digestive enzymes range in strength and in price. (some are freaking expensive). Go talk to a pharmacist or staff at your local vitamin shop (preferably natural), and see what they recommend, but I'd say try something middle of the road. Take them with your meals. You might notice some extra rumbling for a few days as you get used to them, but I don't think they cause any extra acid or screw things up. They're there to help since we Celiacs often don't produce enough digestive enzymes naturally. You'll figure out what works for you.

 

Anyway, others might have better recommendations, but they're worth a shot.

Also, hope you get better soon! Is is a flu or a glutening?

1desperateladysaved Proficient
1desperateladysaved
Posted

My nutrient test showed a need for digestive enzymes.  This test was Genova nutrient evaluation.  A few days after taking the digestive enzymes my bloating seemed to go down and my energy level up.  Now, my Functional Medicine Nurse said that I may try going off of them.  She assured me that if I needed them, I would know and could go back on.  To be honest, I am not too ready to try just yet.  I have been on them since December and I just think my better absorption could be due to these supplements.  I had a Spectra Cell nutrient test recently and my nutrient levels were far better than last November's test.

 

The nurse explained that if the villi in the small intestine are too damaged, they will not do their job of telling the pancreas to fire.  That seemed to be the case with me.  However, as the villi repair they get back to work.  Meanwhile, the enzyme supplements help break down your food.

 

. 

I have used several brands of enzymes from a nutrition store.  I have used a few different kinds from a health professional. All of these seemed to work well enough for me. I currently am using a powdered product that I purchased through Azure Standard.

 

The product name is :  Genuine NZimes Dr.  Howell's Original Formula Extra-strength.  It says to just sprinkle it over your food before eating it.  I like the powdered as sometimes I don't dissolve capsules.

 

Enzymes are also available in raw vegetables in fruits.  I read that in the Prescription for Nutritional Healing book.  I chose to use the supplements as I am not sure I was breaking down raw veggies very well.

 

D

seraphim Contributor
seraphim
Posted
  • Author

Hey,

 

I've slacked off on my digestive enzymes lately, but when taking them regularly with meals I just tend to digest things better in general. How to know if you need them? I think if you're still having trouble with digestion even when you didn't get glutened, enzymes can help. They will NOT prevent the effects of a gluten or other foods you're intolerant to, but I find they do help with the healing process, and just keeping things running normally.

 

Digestive enzymes range in strength and in price. (some are freaking expensive). Go talk to a pharmacist or staff at your local vitamin shop (preferably natural), and see what they recommend, but I'd say try something middle of the road. Take them with your meals. You might notice some extra rumbling for a few days as you get used to them, but I don't think they cause any extra acid or screw things up. They're there to help since we Celiacs often don't produce enough digestive enzymes naturally. You'll figure out what works for you.

 

Anyway, others might have better recommendations, but they're worth a shot.

Also, hope you get better soon! Is is a flu or a glutening?

 

Thanks...so nervous..i have no idea how to even know if i have trouble digesting....what are symptoms of that? If I already have too much stomach acid by chance i definitely don't want more lol

 

Honestly...what caused it? I have no idea :( I had no appetite all week and then friday it was it's worst and I'm surviving on watermelon at the moment. I'm beginning to wonder if it's hormonal though.

seraphim Contributor
seraphim
Posted
  • Author

My nutrient test showed a need for digestive enzymes.  This test was Genova nutrient evaluation.  A few days after taking the digestive enzymes my bloating seemed to go down and my energy level up.  Now, my Functional Medicine Nurse said that I may try going off of them.  She assured me that if I needed them, I would know and could go back on.  To be honest, I am not too ready to try just yet.  I have been on them since December and I just think my better absorption could be due to these supplements.  I had a Spectra Cell nutrient test recently and my nutrient levels were far better than last November's test.

 

The nurse explained that if the villi in the small intestine are too damaged, they will not do their job of telling the pancreas to fire.  That seemed to be the case with me.  However, as the villi repair they get back to work.  Meanwhile, the enzyme supplements help break down your food.

 

I have used several brands of enzymes from a nutrition store.  I have used a few different kinds from a health professional. All of these seemed to work well enough for me. I currently am using a powdered product that I purchased through Azure Standard.

 

The product name is :  Genuine NZimes Dr.  Howell's Original Formula Extra-strength.  It says to just sprinkle it over your food before eating it.  I like the powdered as sometimes I don't dissolve capsules.

 

Enzymes are also available in raw vegetables in fruits.  I read that in the Prescription for Nutritional Healing book.  I chose to use the supplements as I am not sure I was breaking down raw veggies very well.

 

D

I did have a fecal fat stool test from enterolab a year ago that showed too much fat but i dunno if that really says anything about this. I think I'd want powdered too considering it takes more work to digest a capsule for sure. I'll have to look into some of this.

1desperateladysaved Proficient
1desperateladysaved
Posted

Thanks...so nervous..i have no idea how to even know if i have trouble digesting....what are symptoms of that? If I already have too much stomach acid by chance i definitely don't want more lol

 

Honestly...what caused it? I have no idea :( I had no appetite all week and then friday it was it's worst and I'm surviving on watermelon at the moment. I'm beginning to wonder if it's hormonal though.

My symptoms include seeing food stuffs come through recogniseable  and bloating.

seraphim Contributor
seraphim
Posted
  • Author

I've had that in the past but not so much now. Though....is it normal for sweet potato to turn feces orange? And for the skins from the outside of beans to come through? That I've seen...

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dilettantesteph Collaborator
dilettantesteph
Posted

I haven't seen any evidence that digestive enzymes work, like for example, a study reported in a peer reviewed journal.  

 

I have seen studies reported about such treatments being developed for celiac disease, but as far as I know, none have yet been successful and commercially available.

Gemini Experienced
Gemini
Posted

I haven't seen any evidence that digestive enzymes work, like for example, a study reported in a peer reviewed journal.  

 

I have seen studies reported about such treatments being developed for celiac disease, but as far as I know, none have yet been successful and commercially available.

Peer reviewed articles mean nothing in real life when it comes to supplements that actually help people. They replace the enzymes that are not being released by the pancreas due to damaged villi in the small intestines.  Without them, I would not have recovered as well as I have.  For full blown Celiac Disease and those with severe villi damage, they can be a life saver until your small intestine heals.

 

This is just another supplement that MD's trash because of their lack of education on them. I honestly think they do not want people to heal well because they seem to trash many of the things that help people heal. It's right up there with doctors who will only diagnose Celiac with Marsh III damage.  <_<

seraphim Contributor
seraphim
Posted
  • Author

Peer reviewed articles mean nothing in real life when it comes to supplements that actually help people. They replace the enzymes that are not being released by the pancreas due to damaged villi in the small intestines.  Without them, I would not have recovered as well as I have.  For full blown Celiac Disease and those with severe villi damage, they can be a life saver until your small intestine heals.

 

This is just another supplement that MD's trash because of their lack of education on them. I honestly think they do not want people to heal well because they seem to trash many of the things that help people heal. It's right up there with doctors who will only diagnose Celiac with Marsh III damage.  <_<

I agree....doctors do the same with thyroid medications and the ones that help better.

dilettantesteph Collaborator
dilettantesteph
Posted

Here is what they say at about.com: Open Original Shared Link

1desperateladysaved Proficient
1desperateladysaved
Posted

I fully agree that digestive enzymes are not for "cheating" or cross contamination.

 

My insurance did cover them for my son that had villi damage, if there was a demonstrated advantage.  My son did not grow last summer (when it was expected) until he took the enzymes.  He then grew 2 1/2 inches in 3 months.  This doctor is Osteopathic with a Functional Medicine twist.  There must be some information about it out there since the insurance did cover and this doctor used them for villi damage.

 

D

Gemini Experienced
Gemini
Posted

They aren't meant for use to eat gluten when you have Celiac Disease.  They are meant to aid in the breakdown of food when you have pancreatic insufficiency, which can be diagnosed with blood work.  There are also prescription strength digestive enzymes so these have been around for awhile.  They may even be used for those with pancreatic cancer to help break down their food during treatment for the disease.  

seraphim Contributor
seraphim
Posted
  • Author

Gemini what blood tests do you ask for to test pancreatic enzymes? I might get this done.

Chrisz1000 Newbie
Chrisz1000
Posted

Before enzymes I was very tired, losing weight (despite eating lots), mildly depressed, seeing undigested food 'pass through'. Based on what I had read about them - which has been confirmed in this thread - I decided to give them a whirl.

 

There's a bit of science in deciding which ones you need. Ones that break down fats, proteins or fibres. Amylase works well and some products have significantly stronger power enzymes than others.

 

Since enzymes I have more energy, can maintain weight (and eat less), depression has lifted and stools are normal. This has sped up my recovery without doubt and has been the single most important aid for me.

 

Go an do it, buy a load of enzymes whatever the cost, its worth it!!

Pegleg84 Collaborator
Pegleg84
Posted

Yeah, as I said, digestive enzymes will NOT prevent damage from ingesting gluten, but I do find they help reduce the gastro symptoms slightly. But I (try to) use them daily, which means less bloating (now if I bloat I know something's gone wrong), undigested food in your stool, more energy because you're absorbing things better. Enzymes are not acidic, so I don't think you need to worry about extra stomach acid.

Make sure to get one that helps with proteins, fats, and fibre digestion.

1desperateladysaved Proficient
1desperateladysaved
Posted

Gemini what blood tests do you ask for to test pancreatic enzymes? I might get this done?

I will answer where I got mine done.  It was part of a Nutri-Val by Genova Lab.  This measured many nutrients and mal-absorption factors.  My insurance said they would cover it since I had been diagnosed with celiac.  This lab gave me a list of recommended nutrient levels which also included the enzymes.

 

My functional Medicine Nurse told me that the villi in the small intestine are supposed to trigger the pancreas to fire.  When they are heavily damaged they can't do this job..  The digestive enzymes help the body to break down food while waiting for the villi to hear.

 

My villi have healed enough so the nurse told me to try without the enzymes.  I am having trouble to get up the courage!  They made ever so much difference.  It is hard to believe I am done with them already.  I will get there, I plan to try within the next few months!

 

I will check to see if the Spectracell  (My most recent test) measures enzymes and get back to you.

 

D

seraphim Contributor
seraphim
Posted
  • Author

Thanks everyone. I'll keep all this in mind. When i was first diagnosed I had fat malabsorption as does my hubby. It said this could be due to insufficient pancreatic enzymes. I think we're due for a re-test with enterolab anyhow after a year gluten free... and that's who tested the malabsorption as well so maybe we'll do that again.

Gemini Experienced
Gemini
Posted

Thanks everyone. I'll keep all this in mind. When i was first diagnosed I had fat malabsorption as does my hubby. It said this could be due to insufficient pancreatic enzymes. I think we're due for a re-test with enterolab anyhow after a year gluten free... and that's who tested the malabsorption as well so maybe we'll do that again.

Sorry that I didn't answer your question sooner!  Diana answered the question well.  Genova Labs is one of the best labs in the US for cutting edge testing. They were one of the first to do a comprehensive Celiac panel and did my testing for diagnosis 8 years ago.  I still do my Celiac antibody testing through them.

 

I never was tested for pancreatic deficiency because I had enough symptoms of it that my doctor just told me to take them.  They helped tremendously as I had so much trouble digesting fats.  But I know other people who were tested for it so I know it can be done.  You could probably look it up on-line.

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