Digestive Enzyme Types: Lipase, Protease, Amylase, and Alpha-Galactosidase Explained

Digestive Enzyme Types: Lipase, Protease, Amylase, and Alpha-Galactosidase Explained

By Dr. Onikepe Adegbola, MD PhD — Johns Hopkins-trained physician-scientist

Not all digestive enzymes are the same. Each enzyme breaks down a specific macronutrient — lipase handles fats, protease handles proteins, amylase handles starches. Understanding which enzymes you need depends on which foods cause YOUR symptoms.

Key Takeaways

• Lipase: digests fats → take if fatty foods cause diarrhea, floating stools, or nausea
• Protease: digests proteins → take if meat sits heavy or causes bloating
• Amylase: digests starches → take if bread, pasta, or potatoes cause symptoms
• Alpha-galactosidase (Beano): digests GOS → specific for beans, lentils, cruciferous vegetables
• Casa de Sante FODMAP enzymes — comprehensive formula covering all enzyme types

Enzyme-by-Enzyme Guide

When to Take Enzymes

1. WITH the first bite of food — not after, not 30 minutes before
2. Every meal — consistency matters more than perfection
3. Extra dose for large or risky meals (restaurant food, dinner parties)
4. Keep a bottle at home, one at work, one in your bag

Casa de Sante FODMAP Digestive Enzymes — all-in-one formula covering lipase, protease, amylase, alpha-galactosidase, and more.

See our timing guide and enzymes vs probiotics guide.

This article is educational only.