Can Digestive Enzymes Cure SIBO? A Comprehensive Analysis
Suffering from Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) can be taxing. With a plethora of information on herbal antibiotics, prokinetics, probiotics, and low-FODMAP foods to digest (pun intended), it can be overwhelming. However, one crucial tool in managing SIBO often goes unnoticed - digestive enzymes. This humble supplement can significantly impact your day-to-day well-being and overall health.
In this article, we will discuss digestive enzymes in detail - their role, when they malfunction, how they can aid people with SIBO, how to use them, and selecting the right digestive enzyme supplement.
Understanding Digestive Enzymes
Digestive enzymes act as a catalyst to break down the food we consume into molecules, making it easier for our bodies to absorb and utilize them.
Think of your digestive system as a dishwasher and the food you eat as dirty dishes. Digestive enzymes are the detergent added to the dishwasher. Without it, the water alone will clean the dishes to some extent... but with the detergent, the dishes come out squeaky clean.
Our bodies naturally produce these enzymes in the saliva, pancreas, liver, gallbladder, and the lining of the intestines. Additionally, various foods also provide us with these essential enzymes.
The three primary types of digestive enzymes are:
- Protease - breaks down protein
- Lipase - breaks down fat
- Amylase - breaks down starches
There are also several other types, including brush border enzymes, found in the lining of the small intestine and help break down specific sugars like lactose and sucrose.
When Digestive Enzymes Malfunction
Under ideal circumstances, the food we eat and our bodies' natural production should provide us with sufficient digestive enzymes. However, due to various reasons, individuals often suffer from enzyme deficiency. Some common causes include:
- Stress
- Genetic predisposition (common with lactose intolerance)
- Crohn's disease
- Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI)
- Cystic fibrosis
- Leaky gut
- SIBO
The deficiency of these enzymes can lead to:
- Bloating
- Gas
- Dyspepsia (feeling of discomfort when you eat)
- Dull hair, skin, and nails
- Fatigue
- Undigested food in stool
- Constipation/diarrhea
- Food intolerances
The Role of Digestive Enzymes in Managing SIBO
While digestive enzymes can benefit almost everyone, their importance is amplified for individuals dealing with SIBO. Here's why:
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They can help alleviate symptoms. Digestive enzymes can reduce bloating, gas, constipation, and diarrhea - some of the most uncomfortable SIBO symptoms there are.
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They can help diversify your diet. Many people find using digestive enzymes expands their list of "safe foods" and that they can even incorporate more FODMAPs thanks to added digestive enzymes.
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They enhance nutrient absorption. Whether you're grappling with weight gain OR loss as a result of SIBO, digestive enzymes can boost nutrient absorption, helping to naturally balance your weight.
Usage of Digestive Enzymes
Digestive enzymes can be used in two ways, as per Dr. Allison Siebecker, ND:
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With food: Take the enzymes at the start of a meal, so they can begin to digest the food right as you begin eating it. If needed, more enzymes can be taken mid-meal or at the end.
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Without food: When taken without food, digestive enzymes have an anti-inflammatory effect. They can even have an anti-biofilm effect when taken away from food.
Both uses can be highly beneficial for people with SIBO, and you may want to experiment with both.
Selecting the Right Digestive Enzyme
Understanding why and how to use digestive enzymes is the easy part… the tricky part is choosing the right product.
Here are some key factors to consider:
- Contains brush border enzymes, in addition to lipase, amylase, and protease.
- High enough dose, because many supplements have far too low a dose to be effective!
- Vegan and allergen-free, as many supplements are made from animal products.
- Contains activated enzymes - this is MOST important. Enzymes require activation by a cofactor. If you don't have what the enzyme requires to be activated, it doesn't do any good. That's why choosing an activated enzyme is key to getting good results.
While there are several products in the market, Casa de Sante's Low FODMAP Digestive Enzyme stands out, owing to its vegan formulation, free of fillers, and comprising only activated enzymes. This formula is so unique that it has earned a patent, and its effectiveness is backed by six pilot clinical studies.
The Casa de Sante FODMAP Digestive Enzymes
Casa de Sante Low FODMAP Certified Digestive Enzymes is another excellent option designed for short-term use to help support individuals with IBS, Crohn's disease, and other digestive disorders triggered by high FODMAP foods.
FODMAP (Fermentable Oligo-, Di-, Mono-saccharides, and Polyols) sugars can cause discomfort in individuals unable to digest them. These undigested carbohydrates can cause fermentation and osmosis in the large bowel, leading to symptoms like gas, diarrhea, and pain.
An enzyme supplement can help digest food that contains FODMAPs, preventing them from being used as food by colon gas-producing bacteria. Depending on the severity of your FODMAP intolerance, supplementation with FODMAP digestive enzymes may be beneficial.
Casa de Sante FODMAP Digestive Enzymes provides a diverse range of enzymes, making it one of the most comprehensive formulations available.
In conclusion, while digestive enzymes cannot "cure" SIBO, they can significantly manage the symptoms and improve the quality of life for individuals dealing with this condition. Always consult with your healthcare provider before adding any new supplement to your regimen.
