Here's How Enzymes Lend a Helping Hand to the Pancreas

To say that the body counts on various digestive enzymes for nutrition is an understatement. These “little helpers” help break down proteins, carbohydrates, and fats and absorb nutrients from the food one eats.¹

Unfortunately, some people suffer from a digestive enzyme deficiency that reduces the amount of enzymes in the body, increasing their risk of digestive problems and nutrient absorption issues. These health problems also trigger symptoms like functional dyspepsia (also known as indigestion),² abdominal pain, cramps, gas, bloating, diarrhea, oily stools, and unexplained weight loss.¹

Because these symptoms may cause discomfort and affect quality of life, some doctors can recommend supplementation with a digestive enzyme product like Enzymax Forte^® or, in cases of insufficiency, pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT). Learn how either of these methods can help people with nutrient imbalances or deficiencies resolve their symptoms.

Why Is a Digestive Enzyme Supplement Beneficial?

For people intent on minimizing their symptoms due to digestive enzyme deficiency, taking Enzymax Forte^® may be beneficial.³

This digestive enzyme supplement features an innovative capsule-inside-capsule technology that helps promote targeted digestive enzyme delivery to both the stomach and the intestines, sites where digestion happens. This unique formulation promotes digestion and, as a result, also helps relieve symptoms associated with an enzyme deficiency or imbalance, such as indigestion and flatulence.³

Even better, Enzymax Forte^® isn’t just ideal for patients already undergoing PERT, but may also be beneficial for groups at risk of enzyme deficiencies, like diabetics, the elderly, smokers, and people who practice prolonged fasting hours. Including this supplement in their daily routines may help them prevent some of the mentioned symptoms of digestive enzyme deficiency and the discomfort these can cause.³

Why Is the Pancreas Important for Digestion?

The pancreas is responsible for producing digestive enzymes like amylase, protease, and lipase. The pancreatic tissues also produce a clear digestive fluid composed of enzymes and bicarbonate that assists in neutralizing stomach acid and enhancing the digestion process.⁴ Lastly, this organ also helps produce vital hormones like insulin and glucagon.⁵

With these roles in the picture, it can be easy to understand why it’s important for people to address symptoms of a digestive enzyme deficiency right away.

What Is PERT in the First Place?

This refers to a capsule or pill that serves as a “replacement” for pancreatic enzymes that the body does not release or produce.⁶ One PERT capsule contains digestive enzymes in the form of protease, amylase, and lipase that assist with the digestion of protein, carbohydrates, and fat, respectively.⁷ The formula commonly found in PERT capsules helps improve digestion and functions as an indigestion symptom remedy, often linked to a lack of pancreatic enzymes.⁸

PERT is a lifelong treatment⁶ that may be recommended for someone deficient in pancreatic enzymes and/or people with the following conditions that can put them at a higher risk for an enzyme deficiency:⁹

1. Type 1 and type 2 diabetics¹⁰
2. Elderly people¹¹
3. Smokers¹²
4. Pancreatic cancer
5. Chronic pancreatitis
6. Celiac disease
7. Zollinger-Ellison syndrome
8. Short bowel syndrome
9. Main pancreatic duct obstruction
10. Pancreatic resection
11. Gastric resection
12. Cystic fibrosis

Although these mentioned health issues have different causes and trigger different symptoms, all of them negatively impact pancreatic function and the production of much-needed enzymes for digestion and nutrient absorption in some way.

How Should PERT Be Taken Properly?

Just because someone has been diagnosed or is showing symptoms of any of the mentioned conditions, it does not mean that they should undergo PERT immediately. Since this is a lifelong treatment, patients should consult a doctor first to check if PERT will be beneficial for their condition. More importantly, a doctor will also help determine the dose that is best fit for a patient since response to PERT can vary from person to person.⁹

The traditional PERT dose for patients will depend on their weight, the presence of symptoms, and the amount of fat in their diet.⁶ Ideally, PERT must be taken alongside meals and snacks. In case multiple PERT doses are needed, these may need to be spaced out and taken before, during, and after meals, which some patients may find inconvenient.⁹

Lastly, traditional PERT capsules mostly come from pork pancreas, considered a big no-no for people who are allergic to pork, adhere to a vegan or vegetarian diet, or follow Muslim or Jewish practices. It’s essential for individuals in these groups to seek alternative digestive enzyme supplements that are derived from plant or microbe sources, so they can still address an enzyme deficiency while honoring their beliefs.⁶

Don’t wait until a pancreatic enzyme deficiency and symptoms like indigestion mess up your health and nutrition until it’s too late. Ask a doctor about taking digestive enzyme supplements like Enzymax Forte^® or PERT to receive much-needed nutrients and lower the risk of symptoms and even complications.

Enzymax Forte^® is available online and in leading drugstores nationwide at a suggested retail price (SRP) of Php48.00 per capsule and Php960.00 per box of 20 capsules.

MAHALAGANG PAALALA: ANG ENZYMAX FORTE^®AY HINDI GAMOT AT HINDI DAPAT GAMITING PANGGAMOT SA ANUMANG URI NG SAKIT.