Do you need enzyme supplements? - Think healthy news

Shape, Oct, 2003 by Bryson York

Many people take extra doses of naturally produced enzymes, such as lactase, pepsin and trypsin, in supplement form. But experts disagree about whether you need them, and neither side has much proof. A recent UC Berkeley Wellness Letter reported that except for people with lactose intolerance (who are helped by taking lactase), there's no clinical evidence that healthy people benefit from enzyme supplements.

Still, many people feel such supplements help their digestive and other problems. If you do buy them, be aware that each enzyme has a specific action, so don't believe claims that one supplement can solve a variety of health problems. And some must be taken in specific ways. Lactase, for instance, must be taken with dairy products. Here are some common enzyme supplements and what their manufacturers claim they do.

enzyme                          what it does

Amylase                         Help digest
                                carbohydrates

Cellulase                       Help digest fiber
                                (cellulose)

Lactase                         Help digest dairy
                                products (milk sugar)

Lipase                          Help digest fat

Protease                        Help digest proteins

Sucrase                         Help digest sugars

Superoxide                      Counter aging via
dismutase                       antioxidant activity