Digestive enzymes and probiotics both have an effect on the digestive system, helping to support better digestion. However, they are two different types.
Digestive enzymes are enzymes secreted by the digestive glands to help digest and absorb food. In the mouth, salivary glands secrete amylase enzymes to digest starch, while in the stomach, pepsin enzymes are secreted to digest protein. The pancreas secretes lipase enzymes to digest lipids, protease enzymes to digest proteins, lactase enzymes to digest sugars and fiber.
The digestive enzyme products available on the market mainly contain enzymes from the stomach, saliva, and pancreas. These products have the ability to “break down” food to produce easily absorbed nutrients such as simple sugars, amino acids, and fatty acids.
Probiotics are beneficial living bacteria in the intestines. These beneficial bacteria play a role in the final stages of food digestion and protect the intestines, preventing the growth of harmful bacteria, limiting digestive infections, correcting intestinal dysbiosis, and enhancing immune function in the intestines.
When we eat and drink unsanitary food, take antibiotics… the microbiota becomes imbalanced, beneficial bacteria are destroyed, so it is necessary to supplement probiotics to enhance beneficial bacteria in order to balance the intestinal microbiota and prevent digestive disorders.
Therefore, these two types of enzymes have different uses, different ingredients, different usage methods, and different purposes.
How to use digestive enzymes
Digestive enzymes are used in cases of digestive enzyme secretion disorders, leading to digestive disorders, bloating, slow digestion… Digestive enzymes are suitable for young children and adults with poor appetite, live stools… However, digestive enzymes should not be used continuously or for more than 2 weeks because long-term use can lead to dependence. Excessive and prolonged use can result in suppression of the secretion of digestive enzymes, which can lead to the loss of function of these glands.
In addition to the digestive function, excessive supplementation of digestive enzymes can also damage the protective mechanism of mucous substances in the stomach, intestines, leading to gastritis and colitis.
Digestive enzymes should be taken with meals or immediately after meals, avoiding taking them away from meals and on an empty stomach.
People with increased gastric acid secretion, gastric ulcers, and pancreatitis should not use digestive enzymes because the additional supplementation of digestive enzymes can worsen the condition and cause more severe gastrointestinal ulcers.
How to effectively use probiotics
When using antibiotics for a long time, beneficial bacteria are killed, and that is when probiotics are usually used. Antibiotics have the side effect of killing beneficial bacteria in the intestines and promoting the growth of harmful bacteria, especially gas-producing bacteria, leading to abdominal pain, unresolved stools, and diarrhea… Probiotics are also commonly used during acute diarrhea.
However, all of these cases should only be used for a short time. Patients taking antibiotics without experiencing any gastrointestinal symptoms should also not supplement probiotics.
Probiotics should be taken 30 minutes before meals because at that time, the stomach is empty, so these bacteria quickly pass through the stomach and move to the small intestine, minimizing the decrease of beneficial bacteria due to gastric acid.
Do not mix probiotics with hot water as it will kill the bacteria.
5 Health Benefits of Sour Fruits You Didn’t Know
The sourness found in certain fruits may make you feel uncomfortable, but you should not overlook the health benefits of these 5 sour fruits.
Optimize your weight loss by adjusting your dinner schedule – it’s so simple, why not try it?
In addition to what you eat and how you exercise, the timing of your meals also plays a significant role in fat accumulation.
Drink This Cup of Water in the Morning to Get the Benefits of 10 Years of Chewing Ginseng and Swallowing Bird’s Nest
You need to drink water throughout the day to keep your body healthy, and the best way to do this is by starting each day with a cup of warm water, about 20-30 ml. You can drink water right after waking up or before breakfast, about 30 minutes.
Golden Hour for Children: Yogurt, a Thousand Times Better than Vitamins
Yogurt is a highly beneficial food for children’s health, especially when consumed during specific time frames. Ingesting yogurt during these periods provides even more advantages.
The best time for children to eat yogurt for optimal absorption
Yogurt is an amazing food that is highly beneficial for your health. Children as young as 6 months old can consume it regularly.
