Advertising Sponsored by 1MD Nutrition, the Makers of EnzymeMD & Live Conscious, the Makers of DigestWell
2024's Most Effective Digestive Enzymes on the Market
Learn how to choose the best digestive enzyme formula for optimal digestive health + what to steer clear of
Advertiser Disclosure
Up to 70 million Americans suffer from digestive issues like heartburn, nausea, bloating, or cramping. And the reason is surprisingly simple: your body may not produce enough digestive enzymes.
Digestive enzymes help your stomach break down food to make digestion easier. Without them, food can linger in the stomach and cause discomfort — especially in your gut, stomach, and esophagus.
Thankfully, digestive enzyme supplements help transform almost any food into easily digestible pieces.
Benefits Of A Quality Enzyme Supplement
Unlike probiotics, quality digestive enzyme supplements can alleviate typical digestive troubles in as little as 20 minutes. And that’s not all, these powerful enzymes can also help:
Bloating occurs when hard-to-digest foods sit in the stomach for too long. Thankfully, these special enzymes help digest difficult foods to put a quick end to bloating.
Diarrhea often happens when improper digestion puts a burden on the intestines. Fortunately, digestive enzymes support a rapid return to worry-free bathroom trips.
Poorly digested foods can cause the lower intestine to produce uncomfortable and embarrassing gas. The good news is, digestive enzymes “pre-digest” your foods so they don’t sit like a brick in your stomach.
Digestive distress can force the esophagus to open during digestion — allowing stomach acid to rise up into the throat. Thankfully, digestive enzymes act like a “security guard” and help prevent stomach acid from rising.
When enzymes support efficient digestion, it helps your body absorb more nutrients from food. And now that you have more fuel, you may experience an increase in energy, focus, or even an elevated mood.
So it's no wonder why the market for digestive enzyme supplements has exploded. With so many options, millions are left wondering: how do I find an effective digestive enzyme supplement?
To help you enjoy foods without worry, Smarter Reviews has compiled years of research on digestive enzymes. In this quick guide, we'll break down what to look for, what to avoid, and even reveal the Top 5 digestive enzyme supplements on the market today.
How Do Digestive Enzyme Supplements Work?
Digestive enzymes are like "tiny scissors." They're a crucial piece of the puzzle when it comes to healthy digestion… unfortunately, your body makes less of them as you age.
Which is why as you get older, you can’t eat like you did when you were younger. So digestive enzyme supplements are essential — especially if you’re over 30.
Each specialized enzyme helps break down a different type of food. So you can eat your favorite snacks — from dairy to starchy carbs — without as much worry.
That's why a quality digestive enzyme supplement can quickly help ease digestive distress and increase digestive comfort.
What To Expect From A Quality Enzyme Supplement
Month One
You may notice a significant difference as soon as your first meal — like less bloating, diarrhea, gas, or acid reflux. Plus, you can even enjoy many of your favorite foods without worry.
Month Two
This is typically when people realize an increase in long-lasting energy, see the numbers on the scale go down, and experience normal bowel movements without stomach discomfort.
Month Three
After a few months of supporting proper nutrient absorption, don’t be surprised if other areas of your health improve like smoother joints or greater mental sharpness.
So make sure to stick with a quality formula for at least 3 months to improve your overall health — especially if you’re an older adult because...
Age May Accelerate Digestive Issues
As we get older, our body makes less digestive enzymes. In fact, many begin to experience digestive distress as early as 30 years old. Unfortunately, these issues may get worse over time, too.
Just keep in mind: All digestive enzymes are unique and each one breaks down a specific type of food. Here’s a simple summary:
The Digestive Enzyme "Cheat Sheet"
This powerful enzyme “dices up” proteins found in steak, chicken, and fish for optimal digestion.
Amylase helps your body process starchy foods like potatoes, rice, and pasta.
Lipase is the “go-to” enzyme that handles fats. It promotes the swift digestion of butter, olive oil, avocados, and more.
This essential enzyme helps your body pull nutrients from sugary fruits and vegetables to maximize your energy levels.
Bromelain, which is sourced from pineapples, aids in the digestion of many heavy proteins. Think cheese, nuts, and eggs.
Papain is extracted from papaya and has been used for thousands of years as a “meat tenderizer."
What To Avoid
Some ingredients can be controversial. Maltodextrin is a highly processed “sugar-substitute” made from GMO corn. While magnesium stearate and silicon dioxide don’t offer any nutritional value and may even cause unwanted side effects.
Probiotics often require a protective coating to survive the trip to your gut. However, this special “shield” can also lock digestive enzymes inside, which makes them less effective at soothing your digestion.
The Right Digestive Enzyme Supplement Has:
Researchers have discovered special qualities about the enzymes found in plants. Turns out, they’re able to endure the journey through your gut better than their animal counterparts. So it's really no wonder why most digestive enzyme supplements are now plant-based.
This heavily-studied probiotic promotes natural digestive enzyme production. It’s also durable enough to survive the digestive process and even helps reduce urgent “bathroom trips.”
It takes expertise to create a quality digestive enzyme supplement. The effectiveness depends on the exact combination of enzymes, potency, pH resistance, and more. So make sure it’s formulated by a board-certified doctor.
Invest in a digestive enzyme that at least offers a 90-day money-back guarantee. This shows the company's confidence in all of the results the formula can bring you.
2024's Top 5 Digestive Enzyme Supplements
We tested 37 different digestive enzyme supplements based on our 5 pillars of excellence: ingredient safety, projected effectiveness, return policy, customer satisfaction, and value. So, with that in mind, here are the best digestive enzyme formulas of the year.
1. EnzymeMD®
Owned by the Smarter Reviews Group of Companies
.png)
Total Ranking
9.6/10
A+
Overall Grade
PROS
- 18 plant-based enzymes
- Saccharomyces boulardii
- Doctor-formulated
- 100% natural, vegetarian formula
- 90-day 100% money-back return policy
- Made in the USA with globally sourced ingredients
CONS
- Due to popular demand, frequently out of stock
The Bottom Line
We chose EnzymeMD® by 1MD NutritionTM because it's the only supplement that meets our criteria.
Its doctor-formulated blend includes 18 plant-based enzymes that naturally help break down nutrients. We also confirmed that it contains Saccharomyces boulardii to help boost digestion over the long term. The formula is free of dangerous additives. It's also non-GMO.
1MD Nutrition's return policy was also more generous than others we reviewed, and their customer service department was knowledgeable and easy to reach. They confirmed that their product is made in the USA and 100% vegan. We not only felt comfortable with their ingredients and potency, but we also loved that the brand is devoted to educating the public about their health. With all this in mind, we decided to put EnzymeMD® by 1MD NutritionTM at the top of our list.
*Results are based on users' personal experiences collected on this page and do not necessarily reflect typical results of using these products. Please see product website for more information.
Learn More2. DigestWell
Owned by the Smarter Reviews Group of Companies
Total Ranking
9.2/10
A-
Overall Grade
PROS
- Contains a high concentration of Protease
- Strong 365-day return policy
- 100% vegetarian, organic
- Made in the USA with globally sourced ingredients
CONS
- Not formulated by a gastroenterologist
The Bottom Line
Live Conscious' DigestWell was the obvious pick for our #2 because it contains 10 broad spectrum, plant-based digestive enzymes that have each been shown to help you absorb key nutrients and improve your digestion.
The addition of the clinically studied probiotic DE111® and powerful botanicals, ginger, fennel, and peppermint, all clinically proven to aid in digestion, also bring quick relief to the uncomfortable symptoms related to indigestion. Many customers said they saw quicker results after increasing their daily dosage by 2 to 3 capsules.*
*Results are based on users' personal experiences collected on this page and do not necessarily reflect typical results of using these products. Please see product website for more information.
Learn More3. Digest Gold
Total Ranking
8.4/10
B
Overall Grade
PROS
- Many positive customer reviews
- Potent enzymes
- Free of fillers and additives
CONS
- Short return policy
The Bottom Line
While Digest Gold by Enzymedica gets rave customer reviews, we were wary of putting it anywhere above our #3 spot. This was mainly due to their extremely limited return policy. This makes us worried that they don't have as much faith in their product as they claim. On the bright side, the product does contain a potent serving of enzymes. All in all, while Digest Gold is a strong contender, but we couldn't put it higher than #3 on our list.
*Results are based on users' personal experiences collected on this page and do not necessarily reflect typical results of using these products. Please see product website for more information.
Learn More4. Maximum Strength Digestive Enzyme
Total Ranking
7.7/10
C+
Overall Grade
PROS
- Potent serving size
- Made in the USA with globally sourced ingredients
CONS
- Contains maltodextrin
- Some negative customer reviews
The Bottom Line
Instant Digest's Maximum Strength Digestive Enzyme comes in at #4 on our list. While it clearly listed its ingredients on its label, we were concerned to see that it included one filler: maltodextrin. Additionally, we noticed some negative customer reviews. We wanted to keep it on our list based on the fact that it's one of the few digestive enzymes made in the USA, and it's covered under the Amazon Guarantee and Worry Free Return Policy. With that in mind, we put Instant Digest at #4.
*Results are based on users' personal experiences collected on this page and do not necessarily reflect typical results of using these products. Please see product website for more information.
Learn More5. DigestMore Ultra Enzymes
Total Ranking
7.0/10
C-
Overall Grade
PROS
- Good customer reviews
- Made in the USA with globally sourced ingredients
CONS
- Contains maltodextrin
- Not vegan
- Returns only for damaged product
- Not backed by a doctor
The Bottom Line
RenewLife's formula finishes out our list as our 5th winner. This digestive blend contains a powerful range of enzymes for better digestion and is based in the United States.
This said, this formula could've been better if it was vegan and didn't contain fillers like maltodextrin. DigestMore Ultra Enzymes also doesn't contain much of a return policy: it's only for poor quality in manufacturing and it doesn't include the shipping and handling.
This said, DigestMore Ultra Enzymes is a potent blend with a wide range of digestive enzymes, earning it a spot on our list.
*Results are based on users' personal experiences collected on this page and do not necessarily reflect typical results of using these products. Please see product website for more information.
Learn MoreDisclaimer:
Smarter Reviews is owned and operated by the same company that owns certain products featured on this website, including the products ranked number one.
In addition, we receive compensation from certain companies whose products are featured on this website when you purchase a product using the links on this website.
Go back to pageOur Main Sources
Sources used for research purposes. Smarter-Reviews.com are not officially affiliated with these sites.
What You Will Learn:
Estimated Read Time 5 Minutes
Benefits of a Quality Enzyme Supplement
Citations
- Digestive Enzyme Supplementation in Gastrointestinal Diseases, Gianluca Ianiro, Silvia Pecere, Valentina Giorgio, Antonio Gasbarrini, and Giovanni Cammarota, Curr Drug Metab. 2016 Feb; 17(2): 187–193. Published online 2016 Feb. doi: 10.2174/138920021702160114150137
- Patel RS, Johlin FC Jr, Murray JA. Celiac disease and recurrent pancreatitis. Gastrointest Endosc 1999;50:823-7.
- Hegnhoj J, Hansen CP, Rannem T, et al. Pancreatic function in Crohn's disease. Gut 1990;31:1076-9.
- Suarez F, Levitt MD, Adshead J, Barkin JS. Pancreatic supplements reduce symptomatic response of healthy subjects to a high fat meal. Dig Dis Sci 1999;44:1317-21.
- Nakamura T, Tandoh Y, Terada A, et al. Effects of high-lipase pancreatin on fecal fat, neutral sterol, bile acid, and short-chain fatty acid excretion in patients with pancreatic insufficiency resulting from chronic pancreatitis. Int J Pancreatol 1998;23:63-70.
- Taylor CJ, Hillel PG, Ghosal S, et al. Gastric emptying and intestinal transit of pancreatic enzyme supplements in cystic fibrosis. Arch Dis Child 1999;80:149-52.
- Patel RS, Johlin FC Jr, Murray JA. Celiac disease and recurrent pancreatitis. Gastrointest Endosc1999;50:823-7.4. Gullo L. Indication for pancreatic enzyme treatment in non-pancreatic digestive diseases. Digestion1993;54(suppl 2):43-7.
- Suarez F, Levitt MD, Adshead J, Barkin JS. Pancreatic supplements reduce symptomatic response of healthy subjects to a high fat meal. Dig Dis Sci 1999;44:1317-21.
- Layer P, Groger G. Fate of pancreatic enzymes in the human intestinal lumen in health and pancreatic insufficiency. Digestion 1993;54(suppl 2):10-4.
- Stevens JC, Maguiness KM, Hollingsworth J, et al. Pancreatic enzyme supplementation in cystic fibrosis patients before and after fibrosing colonopathy. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 1998;26:80-4.
- Oades PJ, Bush A, Ong PS, Brereton RJ. High-strength pancreatic enzyme supplements and large-bowel stricture in cystic fibrosis. Lancet 1994;343:109 [letter].
- Campbell CA, Forrest J, Muscgrove C. High-strength pancreatic enzyme supplements and large-bowel stricture in cystic fibrosis. Lancet 1994;343:109-10 [letter].
- Milla CE, Wielinski CL, Warwick WJ. High-strength pancreatic enzymes. Lancet 1994;343:599 [letter].
- Jones R, Franklin K, Spicer R, Berry J. Colonic strictures in children with cystic fibrosis on low-strength pancreatic enzymes. Lancet 1995;346:499-500 [letter].
- Powell CJ. Pancreatic enzymes and fibrosing colonopathy. Lancet 1999;354:251 [letter].
- Systematic review and meta-analysis of Saccharomyces boulardii in adult patients, Lynne V McFarland, World J Gastroenterol. 2010 May 14; 16(18): 2202–2222. Published online 2010 May 14. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v16.i18.2202
Our Main Sources:
Sources used for research purposes. Smarter-Reviews.com are not officially affiliated with these sites.
What You Will Learn:
Estimated Read Time 5 mins
