A fully functioning digestive system is essential for overall health. The food we consume travels through nearly 30 feet of the gastrointestinal tract and can take up to 24 hours to pass, depending on the health of your gut. Thus, a healthy digestive system is closely linked to good health. Symptoms such as indigestion, heartburn, bloating, gas, constipation, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting may indicate the need for a reset of your digestive health.
Taking digestive enzymes and probiotics together can greatly enhance digestive health by improving food breakdown and maintaining a healthy gut microbiome. Digestive enzymes help break down food into smaller, more digestible particles, while probiotics support a balanced gut flora and nutrient absorption.
Food digestion relies on a variety of enzymes, proteins produced by the body. These enzymes work to break down food molecules (proteins, carbohydrates, and fats) and liquids into smaller "building block" nutrients, allowing for easier and faster absorption. Probiotics ensure these nutrients are effectively absorbed into the bloodstream.
Different types of enzymes (such as protease, amylase, and lipase) prevent poorly digested food from causing stress to the digestive tract, which can initiate a cycle of discomfort and unwellness. Probiotics help create a healthy environment for efficient digestion. When combined, enzymes and probiotics can relieve symptoms like gas, bloating, and irregularity. Together, they create a synergistic effect that maximizes the benefits for overall digestive health.
The Dynamic Duo for Digestive Health
Supplemental enzymes can support the digestive process similarly to the enzymes produced by your body. When taken with food, digestive enzymes provide what the body needs, reducing the burden on the pancreas to produce its own enzymes. This decrease in demand allows the digestive system to break down food more efficiently. Enzyme supplementation plays a crucial role in managing various digestive disorders, particularly those associated with poor digestion, such as lactose intolerance, indigestion, heartburn, bloating, and gas.
There is also growing evidence supporting the vital role of probiotic supplementation (good bacteria) in the digestive process, especially when digestion goes awry, leading to improperly broken-down food and the proliferation of "bad bacteria" in the gut. Undigested or poorly digested foods can exacerbate inflammatory conditions, immune responses, hormonal fluctuations, nervous system disorders, allergies, and even eczema. Probiotics are essential for aiding digestion, particularly for symptoms like constipation, nausea, and diarrhea. Beneficial bacteria help outcompete harmful microorganisms, playing a key role in the entire digestion process.
Pairing digestive enzymes with a probiotic supplement can optimize digestion and enhance overall gut health. Enzymes effectively digest food and relieve common digestive issues, while probiotics support the health of the gastrointestinal tract, immune system, and other body systems.
A fully functional digestive system is indeed the gateway to good health. When it comes to digestion, enzymes and probiotics act as your body's little superheroes, and taking them together can support overall gastrointestinal health.
Natural Factors offers a range of enzyme formulas and probiotic strains for individual or combined use, tailored to your needs. Take a look at some of the most popular recommendations.
SHOP NATURAL FACTORS ENZYMES & PROBIOTICS
Natural Factors Gastro-Assist is a synergistic formula designed to relieve symptoms associated with inflammatory conditions of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, including diarrhea, constipation, bloating, gas, and heartburn. This unique combination of mastic gum, probiotics, zinc L-carnosine, and chamomile helps protect the stomach and intestines, offering relief from ulcers. It supports healthy gut microflora and helps guard against bacterial and fungal infections. This formula includes probiotics, potentially reducing the need for additional probiotic supplements.
Natural Factors High Potency Multi Enzyme is a blend of vegetarian-sourced enzymes designed to assist and enhance normal digestion. It reduces symptoms of indigestion and promotes better nutrient absorption by breaking down proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. For comprehensive gastrointestinal support, consider pairing it with Natural Factors Ultimate Multi Probiotic, which is a 12-strain probiotic and prebiotic formula that helps restore intestinal balance.
Natural Factors Vegetarian MacroGest is a specialized plant enzyme formula designed to support the digestion of hard-to-digest foods, particularly fermentable carbohydrates (FODMAPs) such as beans, peas, cruciferous vegetables, dairy, grains, and wheat. This formula helps reduce gas and bloating. It can be used in conjunction with IBS Relief Biotic™, a 4-strain probiotic that has been clinically proven to alleviate symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Natural Factors ReliefZyme™ is a specialized enzyme formula designed to aid in the digestion of proteins found in foods such as gluten and gliadin present in wheat and cereal grains, as well as casein, whey, and lactoglobulins found in dairy. This product can be used in conjunction with Natural Factors Travel Biotic®, which is a high-potency, shelf-stable, and dairy-free probiotic containing Bifidobacterium longum.
Natural Factors Intensive Strength ClenzDida™ is a powerful enzyme blend specifically designed to support digestive function and promote balance in the small intestine. This comprehensive mixture of active enzymes is taken between meals to help break down food particles and release nutrients in the intestines. Additionally, it targets unhealthy yeast like Candida albicans, which helps maintain a healthy microbiome and optimal colon health by reducing the amount of undigested food particles that reach the colon. For enhanced results, combine it with Natural Factors Travel Biotic® to alleviate abdominal discomfort associated with candida and SIBO.
Natural Factors Soothe Digest features a 4:1 extract of fennel seeds, anise seeds, and caraway seeds. These three carminative herbs are known for their effectiveness in relieving digestive spasms, gas, and bloating. If your digestive issues stem from mild to moderate stress, consider pairing it with Natural Factors Calm Biotic® to help promote mood balance and Natural Factors Chewable Ginger to alleviate nausea.
SHOP NATURAL FACTORS ENZYMES & PROBIOTICS
Supplementing your diet with the right enzyme formula, along with added probiotic support, can promote healthy digestion and help alleviate digestive sensitivity, enhancing your overall enjoyment of meals.
In an ideal world, your body would produce all the enzymes necessary for optimal digestion. However, as we age, the production of these digestive enzymes naturally decreases. Additionally, several lifestyle factors can further hinder your body’s ability to produce enough enzymes to effectively break down the foods you consume. Some of the most common factors include:
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- A diet high in ultra-processed foods
- A high caloric intake
- Micronutrient deficiencies
- Insufficient dietary protein
- Smoking
- Imbalanced exercise levels, whether too little or too much
It's important to consider these factors when looking for targeted formulas to support your digestive health.
Natural Factors Heartburn Chew combines a harmonious blend of amla, deglycyrrhizinated licorice root (DGL), and slippery elm to help alleviate minor gastrointestinal inflammation, abdominal pain, and a burning sensation in the stomach. These three botanicals are backed by clinical research for their soothing and protective effects on the gastrointestinal tract and its mucous membranes. For best results, take one apple-ginger flavoured chewable tablet 20 minutes before each meal or between meals, up to three times daily.
Natural Factors Extra Strength Bromelain capsules offer the highest enzyme activity per capsule. Bromelain is a proteolytic enzyme that helps break down proteins into various amino acids during digestion. It also has strong anti-inflammatory properties and can help manage allergies.
Natural Factors Gluten Relief is specially formulated with a balanced blend of enzymes that aid in the complete digestion of difficult-to-digest foods, particularly cereal grains and dairy products. These foods often contain carbohydrates, proteins, gluten, and casein. By improving the digestion of these foods, this product can help alleviate digestive complaints and reduce the burden on the digestive system.
Natural Factors Chewable Papaya Enzymes, which contain amylase and bromelain, are naturally flavoured and aid the body in breaking down proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, thereby enhancing nutrient absorption. These enzymes help stimulate beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract, detoxify and cleanse the colon, and improve overall digestion.
Natural Factors Lactase Enzyme helps prevent the symptoms of lactose intolerance and aids in the digestion of dairy products. Lactose intolerance occurs when the body cannot digest lactose, which is the sugar found in milk. This inability is due to a deficiency in lactase, the enzyme responsible for breaking down lactose in the digestive tract.
Natural Factors Chewable Papaya Enzymes, containing amylase and bromelain, are naturally flavoured and assist the body in breaking down proteins, fats, and carbohydrates and improving nutrient absorption. These enzymes help stimulate beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract, detoxify and cleanse the colon, and enhance overall digestion.