{"title":"Digestive Enzymes","description":"\u003ch2\u003eWhat are digestive enzymes, and which ones do we already produce?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn enzyme is a protein that speeds up a chemical reaction without being consumed by it. \u003cstrong\u003eDigestive enzymes\u003c\/strong\u003e do one thing: they break down large food molecules into fragments small enough to pass through the intestinal wall. The most important thing to know before buying anything is that a \u003cstrong\u003ehealthy body already produces a whole arsenal of them\u003c\/strong\u003e in four successive locations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eIn the \u003cstrong\u003emouth\u003c\/strong\u003e, salivary amylase begins breaking down starch as soon as you chew.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eIn the \u003cstrong\u003estomach\u003c\/strong\u003e, pepsin attacks proteins in a highly acidic environment.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eIn the \u003cstrong\u003epancreas\u003c\/strong\u003e, which releases most of the production into the small intestine—amylase, lipases, trypsin, chymotrypsin. This is the main site, by far.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eOn the \u003cstrong\u003ebrush border of the small intestine\u003c\/strong\u003e, where finishing enzymes complete the work on sugars: lactase, sucrase, maltase.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn other words, in a person whose digestion is functioning properly, a supplement adds nothing that is missing. It only becomes relevant in the specific situations described below.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eProtease, amylase, lipase, lactase: what does each one break down?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe suffix \"-ase\" denotes the enzyme, and the beginning of the word indicates what it breaks down. The logic is consistent and allows you to read any label.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eProtease\u003c\/strong\u003e—breaks down proteins into peptides and then into amino acids. On a label, activity is often expressed in HUT units.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eAmylase\u003c\/strong\u003e—breaks down starch into simple sugars. DU or SKB units.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eLipase\u003c\/strong\u003e—breaks down triglycerides into fatty acids and monoglycerides. FIP units.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eLactase\u003c\/strong\u003e—breaks down lactose into glucose and galactose. FCC or ALU units. This is the most documented enzyme on the list.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eCellulase\u003c\/strong\u003e—breaks down cellulose from plant fibers. Note: \u003cstrong\u003ethe human body does not produce it\u003c\/strong\u003e, making it one of the few enzymes that is truly \"added\" rather than duplicated.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEnzymes in supplements most often come from cultured microorganisms—\u003cem\u003eAspergillus oryzae\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eAspergillus niger\u003c\/em\u003e—or from fruits, with bromelain from pineapple and papain from papaya. A technical detail explains the dominance of fungal enzymes: they remain active over a wide pH range, including acidic, while others are largely inactivated by stomach acidity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLook at the activity unit, not the weight in milligrams.\u003c\/strong\u003e A label that says \"200 mg of enzyme complex\" tells you nothing: two powders of the same mass can have very different activities. Only the units—HUT, DU, FIP, FCC—describe what the enzyme actually does.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhen is a supplement truly beneficial?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne case is simple, legitimate, and regulated: \u003cstrong\u003elactase for lactose intolerance\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLactose intolerance is not a disease but the predominant condition of adult humanity: intestinal lactase production naturally decreases after weaning in a large part of the population. Undigested lactose reaches the colon, where the microbiota ferments it—hence bloating, gas, and discomfort. Providing lactase with a meal restores the missing breakdown.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is the only digestive enzyme with an \u003cstrong\u003eauthorized health claim at the European level\u003c\/strong\u003e: \"Lactase improves lactose digestion in individuals who have difficulty digesting lactose.\" The conditions of use are precise and can be checked on the label: \u003cstrong\u003eat least 4,500 FCC units\u003c\/strong\u003e per serving, and consumer information indicating that the product should be taken at the time of a meal containing lactose and that tolerance varies. An underdosed lactase does not meet these conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOutside of this case, multi-enzyme formulas address temporary discomfort—a heavy meal, rich in fats or legumes. No health claim is authorized for protease, amylase, or lipase as a food supplement: what can be honestly said about them is limited to their chemical function. Some users associate them with a \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/whey-concentree-1\"\u003ewhey concentrate\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/proteines-vegetales\"\u003eplant proteins\u003c\/a\u003e, whose residual fibers can weigh on the stomach, or during \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/prise-de-masse\"\u003emass gain\u003c\/a\u003e when food volume becomes uncomfortable. This is for comfort, not treatment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd if discomfort appears specifically after a whey shake, the most economical option is not an enzyme: it's a \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/whey-isolate-1\"\u003ewhey isolate\u003c\/a\u003e, in which lactose is reduced to trace amounts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to do if you suspect you lack digestive enzymes?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is one of the most frequently asked questions on the subject, and the only one we will not answer with a list of symptoms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA real deficiency in digestive enzymes has a name—\u003cstrong\u003eexocrine pancreatic insufficiency\u003c\/strong\u003e—and it is not a discomfort to be corrected with a food supplement. It is a pathology, associated with specific causes such as chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, certain digestive surgeries, or diabetes. It is \u003cstrong\u003ediagnosed\u003c\/strong\u003e by a doctor, using biological tests, and it is \u003cstrong\u003etreated with prescription pancreatic enzyme replacement medications\u003c\/strong\u003e, at dosages far beyond those of a food supplement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe signs mentioned widely—bloating, heaviness, disturbed transit, fatigue after meals—are too common and shared with other situations for anyone to conclude: they are found in irritable bowel syndrome, food intolerance, celiac disease, or a poorly balanced diet. \u003cstrong\u003eAn enzyme supplement is not a diagnostic tool, and taking it for reassurance can delay necessary care.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe course of action: if digestive problems persist, worsen, or are accompanied by unintentional weight loss, greasy and discolored stools, pain, blood, or fever, \u003cstrong\u003econsult a doctor\u003c\/strong\u003e. We sell food supplements; we do not replace an examination or a prescription.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat are the dangers and side effects?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn healthy adults and at label doses, digestive enzymes are generally well tolerated. This does not mean without risk, and five points are worth knowing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe main risk is not pharmacological, it is behavioral\u003c\/strong\u003e: masking symptoms and delaying a diagnosis. This is the real danger of this category.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eParadoxical digestive problems\u003c\/strong\u003e: nausea, cramps, accelerated or slowed transit, especially at the beginning or at high doses. Reducing the dose is usually sufficient.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eAllergies\u003c\/strong\u003e: enzymes from \u003cem\u003eAspergillus\u003c\/em\u003e can be problematic in case of mold allergy; bromelain and papain, in case of pineapple, papaya, or latex allergy.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eInteractions\u003c\/strong\u003e: bromelain and papain are described as potentially affecting blood clotting. In case of anticoagulant or antiplatelet treatment, or before surgery, seek your doctor's advice.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eSituations that exclude self-medication\u003c\/strong\u003e: acute abdominal pain, ulcer, pancreatitis, chronic inflammatory bowel disease, pregnancy, breastfeeding, children. In all these cases, medical advice is a prerequisite, not an option.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA final clarification: \u003cstrong\u003edigestive enzymes do not cause weight loss.\u003c\/strong\u003e No such claim is authorized, and the reasoning does not hold—better breakdown of food tends to promote its absorption. The levers for \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/perte-du-poids\"\u003eweight loss\u003c\/a\u003e are elsewhere.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat is an enzyme?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA \u003cstrong\u003eprotein that speeds up a chemical reaction without being consumed by it\u003c\/strong\u003e—a biological catalyst. Each enzyme is highly specific: it recognizes only one type of molecule, just as a key only opens one lock. Without them, the reactions of life would be far too slow to keep us alive. Our body produces thousands of them, only a small part of which is used for digestion. A practical point that stems from their protein nature: \u003cstrong\u003eheat destroys them\u003c\/strong\u003e, as does acidity for many of them—which explains why enzymes in supplements are chosen to resist stomach acid.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat are digestive enzymes, and what is their role?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTheir role can be summarized in one sentence: \u003cstrong\u003eto break down large food molecules into fragments small enough to pass through the intestinal wall\u003c\/strong\u003e. The main ones, classified by what they break down: \u003cstrong\u003eproteases\u003c\/strong\u003e (pepsin, trypsin, chymotrypsin) for proteins; \u003cstrong\u003eamylases\u003c\/strong\u003e for starch; \u003cstrong\u003elipases\u003c\/strong\u003e for fats; and the finishing enzymes of the small intestine for sugars—\u003cstrong\u003elactase\u003c\/strong\u003e, sucrase, maltase. They are produced in four locations: mouth, stomach, pancreas (most of the production), and the wall of the small intestine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhere are digestive enzymes found in the body?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFour sites, in the order of food transit. The \u003cstrong\u003emouth\u003c\/strong\u003e: salivary amylase begins breaking down starch as soon as you chew—this is the biological reason for chewing slowly. The \u003cstrong\u003estomach\u003c\/strong\u003e: pepsin attacks proteins in a highly acidic environment. The \u003cstrong\u003epancreas\u003c\/strong\u003e: this is the main site, by far, which releases amylase, lipases, trypsin, and chymotrypsin into the small intestine. Finally, the \u003cstrong\u003ebrush border of the small intestine\u003c\/strong\u003e, where finishing enzymes complete the work on sugars. A healthy body therefore already covers the entire chain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat natural digestive enzymes are present in food?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSome raw foods contain them: pineapple provides bromelain, papaya provides papain, kiwi provides actinidin, ginger provides zingibain, and fermented foods provide them from microbial origin. Two honest caveats: the quantities are small and highly variable, and cooking destroys these enzymes, which are proteins. Eating fresh pineapple is pleasant, but it is not the equivalent of a supplement dosed in activity units. The most effective daily approach remains mundane: chewing, spacing out meals, gradually increasing fiber, and drinking enough.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow to know if you lack digestive enzymes?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou cannot know on your own, and it's important. A real deficiency has a name—\u003cstrong\u003eexocrine pancreatic insufficiency\u003c\/strong\u003e—it is a pathology, diagnosed by biological tests and treated with \u003cstrong\u003eprescription medications\u003c\/strong\u003e, at dosages unrelated to a supplement. The symptoms cited everywhere (bloating, heaviness, disturbed transit, fatigue after meals) are too common to conclude anything: they are found in irritable bowel syndrome, intolerances, celiac disease. Consult without delay if these are accompanied by unintentional weight loss, greasy and discolored stools, blood, pain, or fever.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow to promote the production of digestive enzymes?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo supplement increases the production of your own enzymes—this is a point many pages confuse: a supplement \u003cem\u003eprovides\u003c\/em\u003e enzymes, it does not make you \u003cem\u003eproduce\u003c\/em\u003e more. What truly helps digestion involves cost-free habits: \u003cstrong\u003echewing thoroughly\u003c\/strong\u003e (salivary amylase only works during chewing), eating calmly and unhurriedly, breaking up overly heavy meals, \u003cstrong\u003egradually\u003c\/strong\u003e increasing fiber, drinking enough, and moving after meals. Adequate protein intake also matters, as enzymes are themselves proteins.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhich digestive enzymes to choose?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt depends entirely on your situation, and only one case is truly regulated. If the problem is \u003cstrong\u003elactose\u003c\/strong\u003e, take a lactase dosing at least \u003cstrong\u003e4,500 FCC units\u003c\/strong\u003e per serving: this is the only enzyme with an authorized European claim, with a specific dosage condition. If discomfort follows heavy or fatty meals, a multi-enzyme complex is justified temporarily—checking that each enzyme is named with its activity in units, never obscured in a general \"complex\" in milligrams. If discomfort specifically follows a whey shake, the cheapest solution is not an enzyme but a \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/whey-isolate-1\"\u003ewhey isolate\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow to read the label of an enzyme complex?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThree checks. Each enzyme must be \u003cstrong\u003enamed with its activity\u003c\/strong\u003e in units—HUT, DU, FIP, FCC—and not obscured in a general \"complex\" in milligrams. \u003cstrong\u003eLactase must reach 4,500 FCC units\u003c\/strong\u003e per serving to comply with the European claim. The \u003cstrong\u003eorigin\u003c\/strong\u003e must be specified, fungal, bacterial, or plant-based, which is essential information in case of allergy. A vague label on these three points prevents any comparison: this in itself is a reason to move on.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhen should they be taken?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt mealtime, or in the minutes preceding it. An enzyme acts only if it is in the digestive tract at the same time as the food it is supposed to break down: if taken at a distance, it is digested like any other protein. For lactase, the rule is even stricter—with the first bite, and a second dose if the meal extends.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDo digestive enzymes cause weight loss?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo, and the reasoning even goes the other way. No such claim is authorized, and by definition, an enzyme \u003cstrong\u003eimproves\u003c\/strong\u003e the breakdown of food, thus promoting its absorption—the opposite of what someone looking to lose weight wants. This idea probably comes from confusion with products that block fat digestion, which are something else entirely. The real levers are in our \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/perte-du-poids\"\u003eweight loss\u003c\/a\u003e section: caloric deficit, sufficient protein intake, physical activity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan they be taken daily and long-term?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor lactase, use is occasional and repeated: with every meal containing lactose, for as long as dairy products are consumed. For multi-enzyme complexes, there is insufficient data on prolonged daily use, and nothing suggests it is beneficial; it is better to reserve them for meals that cause problems. Daily intake that becomes habitual without clear improvement is a signal to talk to a healthcare professional rather than increasing the dose.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan they be combined with probiotics?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, and the two do not do the same thing. An enzyme breaks down a nutrient in the moment; a \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/probiotique\"\u003eprobiotic\u003c\/a\u003e provides living microorganisms whose effect, when it exists, is long-lasting. Nothing prevents taking them together, the enzyme with the meal and the probiotic according to its label. Two complementary approaches, not two versions of the same product.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eShould they be bought in a pharmacy?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePharmacies sell two very different things under similar names. On one hand, \u003cem\u003efood supplements\u003c\/em\u003e based on enzymes, subject to food regulations—the same as elsewhere, with no advantage linked to the place of sale. On the other hand, \u003cem\u003eprescription pancreatic enzyme medications\u003c\/em\u003e, indicated for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency and dosed very differently. The second group is not bought on personal decision: the correct approach is through a doctor's office, not the aisle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhere to buy digestive enzymes?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn this page, with shipping throughout France and Europe, or in our store in Vendargues, about ten minutes from Montpellier: pickup within 2 hours and orders placed before 2 PM shipped the same day. The place of purchase matters less than the label—enzymes named individually, activity in units, origin specified. This is precisely the kind of comparison that is better done with two boxes in hand than through a product sheet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat brands do we offer?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe select formulas with legible labels: enzymes named individually, activity expressed in units, origin indicated. These include \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/gammes-io-genix\"\u003eIO Genix\u003c\/a\u003e. This section is part of a broader approach to digestive comfort, alongside \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/probiotique\"\u003eprobiotics\u003c\/a\u003e; and if your discomfort comes from a shake, first compare proteins in our \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/proteines\"\u003eprotein\u003c\/a\u003e section or via our \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/guide-complet-nutrition-sportive\"\u003esports nutrition guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eNeed advice near Montpellier?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur store in Vendargues, about ten minutes from Montpellier, allows you to compare labels in hand, which is important in a category where everything depends on activity units. We also ship throughout France and Europe. A clear limitation we set: we will tell you what a product contains and when to take it, never if you lack enzymes—that question belongs to your doctor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSources: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.efsa.europa.eu\/fr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eEFSA\u003c\/a\u003e and the European register of health claims for the claim related to lactase and its conditions of use; \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.anses.fr\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eANSES\u003c\/a\u003e for the framework applicable to food supplements. This page is informative and does not replace medical advice.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"io-genix-digestive-enzymes-complexe-digezyme","title":"IO Genix Digestive Enzymes","description":"\u003ch2\u003eWhat is IO Genix Enzymes Digestives?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIO Genix Enzymes Digestives is a tablet supplement combining three contributions. \u003cstrong\u003eOne tablet contains 100 mg of DigeZyme complex, 50 mg of papain and 50 mg of bromelain.\u003c\/strong\u003e The bottle holds 60 tablets, which is two months at one tablet a day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDigestive enzymes are proteins that cut the molecules in food into fragments small enough to be absorbed. The body produces them itself, in saliva, the stomach, the pancreas and the intestine. A supplement does not add a new function: it provides occasional reinforcement, at the time of a given meal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe formula combines two different origins, and that is what characterises it. The DigeZyme complex brings together five enzymes of microbial origin — amylase, protease, lactase, lipase and cellulase — which cover carbohydrates, protein, lactose, fat and fibre respectively. Papain, extracted from papaya, and bromelain, extracted from pineapple, are two plant enzymes that act on protein. The rest of the Spanish range can be found in our \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/gammes-io-genix\"\u003eIO Genix\u003c\/a\u003e section, and the other products in the category in our \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/enzymes-digestives\"\u003edigestive enzymes\u003c\/a\u003e section.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat does one Enzymes Digestives tablet contain?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eComposition\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePer tablet\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003e% NRV\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDigeZyme complex\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100 mg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot established\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eof which amylase, protease, lactase, lipase, cellulase\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"2\"\u003eBreakdown not published by the manufacturer\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePapain (extracted from papaya)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e50 mg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot established\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBromelain (extracted from pineapple)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e50 mg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot established\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBulking agent\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"2\"\u003eMaltodextrin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePack size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"2\"\u003e60 tablets, that is two months at one tablet a day\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e100 mg of multi-enzyme complex is still a small quantity, and that needs saying.\u003c\/strong\u003e What counts for an enzyme is in any case not its mass in milligrams but its activity, expressed in international units — FCC, DU or HUT units depending on the enzyme. Those activity values are not published by the manufacturer for this product, and we are not going to invent them. It is the most important missing figure on this page.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat absence has a direct regulatory consequence. \u003cstrong\u003eOnly one claim is authorised in Europe in this family: the one covering lactase and the improvement of lactose digestion in individuals who have difficulty digesting lactose.\u003c\/strong\u003e It is subject to a minimum activity condition per portion, expressed in units. Since the breakdown of the complex and its activity are not published, \u003cstrong\u003ewe cannot verify that the threshold is met, and we will therefore not repeat that claim\u003c\/strong\u003e. No other digestive claim exists for papain, bromelain, amylase, protease, lipase or cellulase.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe previous version of this page announced a reduction in bloating, an improvement in protein assimilation and support for lactose tolerance. None of those formulations is authorised as they stand, and they have been removed. What we can describe, on the other hand, is what each enzyme does biochemically and in which situations use makes sense.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe composition finally has one real advantage, often missing from this category: \u003cstrong\u003ethe enzymes are of microbial and plant origin, never animal. The product is therefore suitable for vegetarians\u003c\/strong\u003e, which is not the case for many enzyme supplements derived from pig pancreas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eIngredients list\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaltodextrin (bulking agent), DigeZyme complex (amylase, protease, lactase, lipase, cellulase), papain (enzyme extracted from papaya), bromelain (enzyme extracted from pineapple).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMay contain traces of GLUTEN, EGGS, MILK, FISH and SOYA.\u003c\/strong\u003e Enzymes of microbial and plant origin, with no artificial preservative.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eHow do you take Enzymes Digestives?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDose:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1 tablet. \u003cstrong\u003eLiquid:\u003c\/strong\u003e a large glass of water. \u003cstrong\u003eTiming:\u003c\/strong\u003e at the start of the main meal, the largest of the day. \u003cstrong\u003eFrequency:\u003c\/strong\u003e one serving a day, not to be exceeded. \u003cstrong\u003eDuration:\u003c\/strong\u003e a course of at least two months according to the manufacturer, which is exactly what one bottle covers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e“At the start of the meal” is not an approximation, it is the condition for it to work.\u003c\/strong\u003e An enzyme acts on the food present in the digestive tract: if you take it on an empty stomach, it has nothing to cut up; if you take it an hour after the meal, digestion is already well under way. The right moment is the first mouthful, or just before.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe choice of meal matters as much as the timing. One tablet a day means you have to choose: keep it for the meal that gives you trouble, generally the largest, the fattiest, or the one containing the most dairy products. A tablet with a salad is of no use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDo not take them on an empty stomach, and do not exceed the daily dose. The manufacturer mentions a possible split serving for very large meals, but the limit of one tablet a day remains the one printed on the packaging: that is the one that takes precedence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo months is the period a bottle covers and the one the manufacturer suggests. In practice, many people use this type of product occasionally, on difficult meals, rather than as a continuous course — that is a perfectly legitimate use, and often a more economical one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne practical precaution to finish: if you also take \u003cstrong\u003eactivated charcoal\u003c\/strong\u003e, leave at least two hours between the two. Charcoal binds molecules indiscriminately, including the enzymes you have just swallowed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWho are these enzymes for, and who are they not for?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey are aimed at an adult who can identify discomfort after certain specific meals: a very rich meal, a late dinner, an indulgence, or a plate containing a lot of dairy products. They also have their place with people on a \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/prise-de-masse\"\u003ebulking\u003c\/a\u003e plan, whose daily food volume is well above average and sometimes becomes a burden.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTwo points to watch are worth knowing before you buy, and they concern the two plant enzymes.\u003c\/strong\u003e Bromelain and papain are active proteases: interactions are described with anticoagulant and antiplatelet treatments, so medical advice is needed if you take any. In addition, people allergic to pineapple, papaya or latex may react to these two ingredients — cross-allergies between latex and exotic fruits are documented.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe manufacturer \u003cstrong\u003edoes not recommend the product for pregnant and breastfeeding women without medical advice\u003c\/strong\u003e, asks \u003cstrong\u003epeople on medical treatment to consult a healthcare professional\u003c\/strong\u003e, and reminds you to keep it out of the reach of children. The product may contain traces of gluten, eggs, milk, fish and soya.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat not to expect from it: this is not a treatment, and it is not an answer to entrenched digestive problems. Pain, a lastingly disturbed transit or a severe intolerance are a matter for a doctor, who will make a diagnosis where a supplement merely accompanies. Nor is it a product that would make your protein “better absorbed” to the point of changing your results: protein digestion already works very well in a healthy person.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eDigestive enzymes or a change of protein?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat is the real question to ask yourself if your discomfort appears mainly after a shake, and it is the advice we give most often over the counter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf the bloating consistently follows your \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/proteines\"\u003eprotein\u003c\/a\u003e powder, the most likely cause is not a lack of enzymes but the lactose in a concentrate whey. In that case, switching to a \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/whey-isolate-1\"\u003ewhey isolate\u003c\/a\u003e, whose lactose content is very low, or to a \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/clear-whey-1\"\u003eclear whey\u003c\/a\u003e settles the problem at its root, and for good. A daily tablet treats the symptom; changing powder removes the cause.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEnzymes keep all their value in a different situation: when the discomfort comes from full and varied meals, and not from an identifiable product. There, no change of powder will settle anything, and reinforcement at mealtime makes sense.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFinally, if your discomfort sets in over time and does not depend on a particular meal, the answer is neither one nor the other: it is rather towards \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/probiotique\"\u003eprobiotics\u003c\/a\u003e, which work over several weeks, that you should turn — and towards a doctor if the discomfort persists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eShould they be taken before or during the meal?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt the very start of the meal, or just before. An enzyme acts on the food present in the digestive tract: taken on an empty stomach it has nothing to do, taken an hour after the meal it arrives too late. The first mouthful is the right marker.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow many tablets a day?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJust one, and that is the daily dose set by the manufacturer. So choose the meal you place it on: the largest, the fattiest, or the one containing the most dairy products. Exceeding that dose is not provided for.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes this product help digest lactose?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe complex does contain lactase, the enzyme in question. But the only claim authorised in Europe on this point requires a minimum activity expressed in units, which the manufacturer does not publish for this formula. So we cannot state it. In cases of proven intolerance, a product whose lactase activity is quantified is a safer choice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs it suitable for vegetarians?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. The enzymes in the complex are of microbial origin, papain comes from papaya and bromelain from pineapple. None is of animal origin, which clearly sets this product apart from enzyme supplements derived from animal pancreas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs there a risk with anticoagulant treatment?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBromelain and papain are proteases for which interactions with anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents are described. If you are on such a treatment, the question goes to your doctor or your pharmacist before any purchase, and not after.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan you be allergic to this product?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is possible for people allergic to pineapple, papaya or latex, because of documented cross-allergies between latex and certain exotic fruits. If that applies to you, this product is not for you, whatever the dose.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow long does a bottle last?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExactly two months: 60 tablets, one a day. That is also the length of course the manufacturer suggests. Many customers, however, use it occasionally, on difficult meals, in which case a bottle obviously lasts a good deal longer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere can you buy IO Genix Enzymes Digestives?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 60-tablet bottle can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. At the Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, we always start by asking after which meal the discomfort appears: when the answer is “after my shake”, we rarely sell this bottle and we advise changing protein instead. The rest of the section can be browsed in our \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/nutrition-sportive\"\u003esports nutrition\u003c\/a\u003e range.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"IO.GENIX","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51160671093063,"sku":"8435569306638","price":10.25,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0881\/9467\/9111\/files\/IO-Genix-Enzymes-Digestives-Complexe-DigeZyme-carre.png?v=1788600600"}],"url":"https:\/\/kissnutrition.fr\/en\/collections\/enzymes-digestives.oembed","provider":"KISS NUTRITION","version":"1.0","type":"link"}