Digestive enzymes: How supplements like Lactaid and Beano can help with digestion

If you're struggling with bloating or discomfort after consuming dairy, beans, or certain vegetables, digestive enzyme supplements might be what your body needs to process these tricky foods.

What are digestive enzyme supplements?

There's a lot that goes on behind the scenes during digestion. As food makes its way through your gastrointestinal (GI) tract, your digestive organs break it down into smaller parts, in part by using digestive juices. Digestive juices contain enzymes that break down food into smaller components of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. There are different enzymes for different components; for example, the enzyme amylase breaks down carbohydrates, the enzyme protease breaks down proteins, and the enzyme lipase breaks down fats.

Your pancreas, stomach, and small intestine naturally produce these enzymes. However, sometimes the body doesn't produce enough enzymes. This can slow down digestion and lead to uncomfortable symptoms like bloating and gas.

Sometimes people can't make enough digestive enzymes because of a health condition like chronic pancreatitis or cystic fibrosis. In these cases, a doctor will prescribe enzyme pills to substitute for the lack of natural enzyme production.

However, in cases of lactose intolerance or difficulty digesting complex carbohydrates found in beans and certain gas-producing vegetables, over-the-counter (OTC) digestive enzyme supplements may be enough improve digestion and provide relief from discomfort.

How do supplements like Lactaid and Beano work?

Lactaid and Beano are two popular digestive enzyme supplements that can help people digest specific foods more easily. Both supplements target specific digestive issues by providing enzymes the body may not naturally produce in sufficient quantities. And both are available without a prescription.

Lactaid dietary supplements contain lactase, an enzyme that breaks down lactose, a sugar found in dairy products. People who are lactose intolerant lack sufficient lactase, leading to symptoms like gas, bloating, and diarrhea after consuming dairy. Lactaid dietary supplements can be used every time you eat foods that contain dairy. But many people find that they can digest certain forms of dairy (like hard cheeses) more easily than other forms (like milk or ice cream). A little experimentation can help you figure out when you need an assist from an enzyme supplement.

Beano contains alpha-galactosidase, an enzyme that helps break down a type of non-absorbable fiber found in beans, root vegetables, and some dairy products. These foods can be difficult for the body to digest, and may cause gas and bloating. Beano breaks down the non-absorbable fiber before it reaches the intestines, where it would otherwise ferment and produce gas. Taking Beano before meals can help prevent gas-related symptoms like flatulence, abdominal cramping, and bloating. Beano is taken in tablet form right before eating or with your first bite.

Who can benefit from digestive enzyme supplements?

Digestive enzyme supplements can benefit people who struggle to digest certain foods due to low levels of the enzymes that process those foods. For example, individuals with lactose intolerance (which affects up to 75% of the world's population) may benefit from lactase supplements like Lactaid.

Similarly, more than 20% of the population experiences abdominal pain caused by intestinal gas resulting from difficulty digesting complex carbohydrates in beans and certain vegetables. They may find relief from supplements like Beano.

While the evidence is still unsettled, some people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may find digestive enzymes helpful for managing their symptoms.

Are digestive enzyme supplements safe?

Digestive enzyme supplements are generally safe for most people, but there are a few important considerations.

For example, Beano may cause allergic reactions in people with alpha-gal syndrome or mold allergies. Those with galactosemia, a metabolic disorder that causes an inability to metabolize the sugar galactose, should consult their doctor before using Beano.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women and young children should check with their doctor before using a lactase product like Lactaid.

Finally, as is the case with all OTC supplements, digestive enzyme supplements are not regulated by the FDA. As a result, the quality and content of these products can vary. This means you can't always be sure about the ingredients or enzyme concentration in these supplements. Prescription enzyme medications, on the other hand, are tightly regulated.