Digestive Enzymes

Digestive enzymes are proteins which help to break down the food that we eat. They help to speed up the chemical reactions within the body, which turn the nutrients from food into substances which our digestive tracts can absorb.

The digestive enzymes in your body start to work as soon as you eat food. The length of time they take to work can vary for everyone and this is similar for digestive enzyme supplements.

Organs, including the gallbladder and liver, produce and release digestive enzymes. As well as this, the saliva has digestive enzymes in it and cells on the surface of your intestines store them too.

Most of your digestive enzymes are produced in the pancreas and these are known as pancreatic enzymes.

The digestive enzyme supplements available at Holland & Barrett are subject to stringent controls and are of the highest quality. 

Make sure that you read the instructions on the packaging and follow the correct dosage in order to take them safely.

If you are currently on medication or under medical supervision, then please consult with your doctor before taking a dietary supplement.

There are lots of different types of digestive enzymes, all of which have slightly different functions and work to break down different nutrients in our foods. 

Six of the most significant types are amylase enzyme, maltase, lactase, lipase enzyme, protease and sucrase.