{"id":55845,"date":"2023-12-07T21:24:20","date_gmt":"2023-12-07T21:24:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cdhf.staging.not4prod.com\/?p=55845"},"modified":"2023-12-07T21:29:00","modified_gmt":"2023-12-07T21:29:00","slug":"fodmap-intolerances-how-to-choose-the-right-digestive-enzyme","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cdhf.ca\/en\/fodmap-intolerances-how-to-choose-the-right-digestive-enzyme\/","title":{"rendered":"FODMAP Intolerances: How to choose the right digestive enzyme"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

While digestive enzymes have been around for a while, they\u2019ve recently been gaining popularity, especially for those with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)<\/a> and other digestive disorders. However, there is a lot of misinformation out there about digestive enzymes as well. So, are they worth it? And how can digestive enzymes help those who have intolerances to high FODMAP foods? I\u2019m Marlee Hamilton<\/a>, a registered dietitian who specializes in gut health and IBS. Let\u2019s review the facts about digestive enzymes!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For starters, it\u2019s important to understand what digestive enzymes do. Digestive enzymes are proteins that help to initiate digestion (ie. the breakdown of food) in the body. All humans make digestive enzymes naturally and these are found in almost every part of our GI tract including our salivary glands, stomach, pancreas, and small intestine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A few examples of common digestive enzymes include lipase, protease, amylase, and lactase. And there are many more! Each unique enzyme in the GI tract has a different function – some help with digesting carbohydrates, while others help with digesting proteins or fats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FODMAP Intolerance: An Overview<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

FODMAPs (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols) are specific types of non-digestible carbohydrates in certain foods we eat. These carbohydrates go through the digestive system without being absorbed and eventually end up in the large intestine. Once the FODMAPs<\/a> arrive there, the bacteria in our gut microbiome start to ferment them. Despite these fermentable fibres being good for us, they can cause some digestive problems like abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and often diarrhea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s important to note IBS is not caused by a lack of digestive enzymes. Therefore, it\u2019s not as simple as saying \u201cenzymes will cure IBS!\u201d However, specific digestive enzymes may help to make certain FODMAP-containing foods less distressing for those with IBS. Ultimately, choosing the right digestive enzymes can help to provide relief and improve quality of life for those with digestive issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Specific Enzymes for High FODMAP Foods<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While there are many digestive enzyme products floating around on the market, they are not all created equal. Many digestive enzyme supplements are blends of multiple enzymes and will have varying amounts of lipase, protease, amylase, sucrase, etc. In general, many of these products are lacking evidence and often target food components that aren\u2019t actually causing digestive distress.<\/a> In particular, it is difficult to know whether certain enzyme preparations will help with certain health conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, there are some exceptions to this! For example, we know that the lactase enzyme is helpful for people with lactose intolerance.1<\/sup> And lactose is a FODMAP, so this could be helpful for those who have this specific FODMAP intolerance! But what about other FODMAPs? Are there enzymes on the market that can help with digesting them?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well – yes! Researchers have developed a scientifically-backed digestive enzyme blend called FODZYME that specifically targets three of the most common FODMAP triggers. The enzymes in FODZYME are lactase, alpha-galactosidase, and fructan hydrolase to break down lactose, galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), and fructans respectively.2<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n

These FODMAPs can be found in the following foods:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n