Lipids are hydrophobic substances: in the presence of water, they will aggregate to form globules to minimize exposure to water. Bile contains bile salts, which are amphipathic, meaning they contain hydrophobic and hydrophilic parts.

Thus, the bile salts hydrophilic side can interface with water on one side and the hydrophobic side interfaces with lipids on the other. By doing so, bile salts emulsify large lipid globules into small lipid globules. Why is emulsification important for digestion of lipids?

Pancreatic juices contain enzymes called lipases enzymes that break down lipids. If the lipid in the chyme aggregates into large globules, very little surface area of the lipids is available for the lipases to act on, leaving lipid digestion incomplete. By forming an emulsion, bile salts increase the available surface area of the lipids many fold.

The pancreatic lipases can then act on the lipids more efficiently and digest them, as detailed in Figure Lipases break down the lipids into fatty acids and glycerides. These molecules can pass through the plasma membrane of the cell and enter the epithelial cells of the intestinal lining.

The bile salts surround long-chain fatty acids and monoglycerides forming tiny spheres called micelles. The micelles move into the brush border of the small intestine absorptive cells where the long-chain fatty acids and monoglycerides diffuse out of the micelles into the absorptive cells leaving the micelles behind in the chyme.

The long-chain fatty acids and monoglycerides recombine in the absorptive cells to form triglycerides, which aggregate into globules and become coated with proteins.

These large spheres are called chylomicrons. Chylomicrons contain triglycerides, cholesterol, and other lipids and have proteins on their surface. Together, they enable the chylomicron to move in an aqueous environment without exposing the lipids to water.

Chylomicrons leave the absorptive cells via exocytosis. Chylomicrons enter the lymphatic vessels, and then enter the blood in the subclavian vein. Vitamins can be either water-soluble or lipid-soluble.

Fat soluble vitamins are absorbed in the same manner as lipids. It is important to consume some amount of dietary lipid to aid the absorption of lipid-soluble vitamins. Water-soluble vitamins can be directly absorbed into the bloodstream from the intestine.

This website has an overview of the digestion of protein, fat, and carbohydrates. Which of the following statements about digestive processes is true? The final step in digestion is the elimination of undigested food content and waste products. The undigested food material enters the colon, where most of the water is reabsorbed.

The semi-solid waste is moved through the colon by peristaltic movements of the muscle and is stored in the rectum. As the rectum expands in response to storage of fecal matter, it triggers the neural signals required to set up the urge to eliminate.

The solid waste is eliminated through the anus using peristaltic movements of the rectum. Diarrhea and constipation are some of the most common health concerns that affect digestion. Constipation is a condition where the feces are hardened because of excess water removal in the colon.

In contrast, if enough water is not removed from the feces, it results in diarrhea. Many bacteria, including the ones that cause cholera, affect the proteins involved in water reabsorption in the colon and result in excessive diarrhea.

Emesis, or vomiting, is elimination of food by forceful expulsion through the mouth. It is often in response to an irritant that affects the digestive tract, including but not limited to viruses, bacteria, emotions, sights, and food poisoning.

This forceful expulsion of the food is due to the strong contractions produced by the stomach muscles. The process of emesis is regulated by the medulla.

Animal diet should be balanced and meet the needs of the body. Carbohydrates, proteins, and fats are the primary components of food. Some essential nutrients are required for cellular function but cannot be produced by the animal body. These include vitamins, minerals, some fatty acids, and some amino acids.

Food intake in more than necessary amounts is stored as glycogen in the liver and muscle cells, and in fat cells.

Excess adipose storage can lead to obesity and serious health problems. ATP is the energy currency of the cell and is obtained from the metabolic pathways. Excess carbohydrates and energy are stored as glycogen in the body.

Concepts of Biology - 1st Canadian Edition by Charles Molnar and Jane Gair is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4. Skip to content Chapter Animal Nutrition and the Digestive System. Learning Objectives By the end of this section, you will be able to: Describe the process of digestion Detail the steps involved in digestion and absorption Define elimination Explain the role of both the small and large intestines in absorption.

Digestion and Absorption. Table Digestion of Protein Enzyme Produced By Site of Action Substrate Acting On End Products Pepsin Stomach chief cells Stomach Proteins Peptides Trypsin Elastase Chymotrypsin.

Aminopeptidase Dipeptidase. Concept in Action. Figure Mechanical and chemical digestion of food takes place in many steps, beginning in the mouth and ending in the rectum. Amylase, maltase, and lactase in the mouth digest carbohydrates. Bromelain may impact absorption and the body's use of medications such as the following:.

Papain may impact how the body absorbs amiodarone, levothyroxine, diabetes medications , and warfarin. Digestive enzymes have been studied for several health conditions, like IBS, IBD, digestive symptoms of autism, and more.

Digestive enzymes are readily available over-the-counter for issues like lactose intolerance and for help with digesting other carbohydrates. Some digestive enzymes may have mild side effects. Since digestive symptoms can also be connected with more severe conditions, discuss your symptoms and concerns with your healthcare provider.

People with conditions like cystic fibrosis, pancreatitis, and pancreatic cancer are prescribed prescription enzyme replacement therapy, usually in the form of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy PERT.

Prescription PERT products include Creon, Pancreaze, Ultresa, Viokace, and Zenpep. Prescription PERT is different from over-the-counter products. Ask a healthcare provider or registered dietitian nutritionist if you have any questions.

Lactaid is an over-the-counter product that contains the digestive enzyme lactase. Lactase breaks down lactose a sugar in dairy products. It helps people with lactose intolerance. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Puertolas MV, Fifi AC.

The Role of Disaccharidase Deficiencies in Functional Abdominal Pain Disorders-A Narrative Review. Published Nov Pandol SJ. Digestive Enzymes. In: The Exocrine Pancreas. NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health NCCIH. Sathe N, Andrews JC, McPheeters ML, Warren ZE.

Nutritional and dietary interventions for autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review. Wasilewska J, Klukowski M. Gastrointestinal symptoms and autism spectrum disorder: links and risks - a possible new overlap syndrome. Pediatric Health Med Ther.

doi: Kushak RI, Lauwers GY, Winter HS, Buie TM. Intestinal disaccharidase activity in patients with autism: effect of age, gender, and intestinal inflammation.

Saad K, Eltayeb AA, Mohamad IL, et al. A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of digestive enzymes in children with autism spectrum disorders. Clin Psychopharmacol Neurosci. Popiela T, Kulig J, Hanisch J, Bock PR.

Influence of a complementary treatment with oral enzymes on patients with colorectal cancers—an epidemiological retrolective cohort study. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol. Wei G, Helmerhorst EJ, Darwish G, Blumenkranz G, Schuppan D. Gluten degrading enzymes for treatment of celiac disease.

Fabris E, Bulfoni M, Nencioni A, Nencioni E. Intra-laboratory validation of alpha-galactosidase activity measurement in dietary supplements. Majeed M, Majeed S, Nagabhushanam K, Arumugam S, Pande A, Paschapur M, Ali F. Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of a multienzyme complex in patients with functional dyspepsia: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

J Med Food. Spagnuolo R, Cosco C, Mancina RM, et al. Beta-glucan, inositol and digestive enzymes improve quality of life of patients with inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. Graham DY, Ketwaroo GA, Money ME, Opekun AR. Enzyme therapy for functional bowel disease-like post-prandial distress.

J Dig Dis. Ratajczak AE, Rychter AM, Zawada A, Dobrowolska A, Krela-Kaźmierczak I. Lactose intolerance in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases and dietary management in prevention of osteoporosis.

Varayil JE, Bauer BA, Hurt RT. Over-the-counter enzyme supplements: what a clinician needs to know. In: Mayo Clinic Proceedings. Akhtar N, Haqqi TM. Current nutraceuticals in the management of osteoarthritis: a review. Ther Adv Musculoskelet Dis. Bolten WW, Glade MJ, Raum S, Ritz BW.

The safety and efficacy of an enzyme combination in managing knee osteoarthritis pain in adults: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Arthritis , Kwatra B. A review on potential properties and therapeutic applications of bromelain. World J Pharm Pharm Sci.

Brudnak MA, Rimland B, Kerry RE, et al. Enzyme-based therapy for autism spectrum disorders -- is it worth another look? Med Hypotheses. Mayo Clin Proc. Dighe N, Pattan SR, Merekar AN, et al. Bromelain A Wonder Supplement: A Review. Stanger MJ, Thompson LA, Young AJ, Lieberman HR.

Anticoagulant activity of select dietary supplements. Nutr Rev. Oketch-Rabah HA, Marles RJ, Jordan SA, Low Dog T. United States Pharmacopeia Safety Review of Willow Bark.

Planta Med. Chakraborty AJ, Mitra S, Tallei TE, et al. Bromelain a potential bioactive compound: a comprehensive overview from a pharmacological perspective. Life Basel. Fieker A, Philpott J, Armand M.

Enzyme replacement therapy for pancreatic insufficiency: present and future. Clin Exp Gastroenterol. Harvard Health Letter. Gut reaction: a limited role for digestive enzyme supplements. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

Proteolytic enzymes. By Regina C. Windsor, MPH, RDN Regina Windsor, MPH, RDN, is an editor for Verywell Health.

Her expertise includes population health, data analysis and synthesis, nutrition and dietetics, publishing, and education.

She is a systems-oriented thinker with a passion for exploration and authentic connection. Use limited data to select advertising.

Some of these conditions include:. These conditions can lead to pancreatic exocrine insufficiency PEI , which is a chronic condition that can affect nutrient absorption. Inhibitors can occur naturally.

They can also be manufactured and produced as medications. Antibiotics are a good example. They inhibit or prevent certain enzymes from helping bacterial infections spread. Eating highly processed or high-calorie foods, drinking a lot of alcohol, living a sedentary lifestyle, and not getting proper nutrients can all have a negative impact on your pancreas, and therefore, a negative impact on the enzymes it produces.

Digestive enzyme supplements are available over-the-counter, and may also be prescribed for specific conditions that can create enzyme insufficiency. Conditions that affect your pancreas, such as pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis , or pancreatic cancer , can all reduce the number of important enzymes your body produces.

As a result, you may not get enough enzymes to thoroughly digest your food and obtain the nutritional value from what you eat.

If you have these conditions — or others in which your enzyme levels are below a normal or healthy range — talk with your doctor about treatment options. For example, individuals living with cystic fibrosis may have to take enzymes with every meal. The only FDA-regulated enzyme replacement therapy is pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy PERT.

Many digestive enzymes are sold over-the-counter OTC to help people treat various digestive issues on their own, such as :. Lifestyle changes, including focusing on your diet and physical activity level, are typically the best bet for improving digestive enzyme function. Enzymes create chemical reactions in the body, and are crucial for a variety of processes, including digestion.

Digestive enzymes are mostly produced in the pancreas, and help your body break down foods and extract nutrients. For individuals living with a health condition that may cause pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, such as cystic fibrosis, pancreatic cancer, or type 1 diabetes, digestive enzyme supplementation may be necessary.

Your doctor will help you decide if enzyme supplementation is right for you. If you are having recurring digestive issues, talk to a doctor. There could be an underlying cause that needs more than digestive enzyme treatment. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

VIEW ALL HISTORY. Without sufficient digestive enzymes, your body is unable to break down food properly, potentially leading to digestive disorders and unpleasant….

Chemical digestion helps to break down food into individual nutrients that your body can absorb. Learn more about chemical digestion, including how it…. Proteolytic enzymes perform many functions in your body. This article explains their potential health benefits, where to find them and how to use them.

The pancreas makes and releases an enzyme called lipase into the digestive tract when you eat. Blind loop syndrome is a rare condition that occurs when food stops moving through or slows down through part of your small intestines. Digestive enzyme supplements are not for everyone, especially those without a true enzyme deficiency or severe GI symptoms.

A stool sample can help determine whether you are deficient in certain enzymes. Anytime you shop for a supplement, it's a good idea to shop at big-chain retailers, which are more likely to take recalled supplements off their shelves. Ensure your supplement contains the enzyme a healthcare provider thinks might help improve your digestion.

Double-check the ingredients list to ensure it contains nothing you are allergic to. Look for potentially problematic ingredients, such as bitter orange or kava, both of which research has linked to adverse effects.

The Food and Drug Administration does not test supplements for efficacy or safety before they hit the market. Third-party testers, such as the Natural Products Association and USP Quality Supplements , offer up their own seals of approval for supplements.

Supplements must contain the exact ingredients on the label and meet quality standards to earn one of those seals. Look for those seals to help ensure that you buy a quality product. Digestive enzyme supplements might benefit people with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency EPI. With EPI, your pancreas does not make enough digestive enzymes.

As a result, your small intestine cannot digest food properly. Health conditions that cause EPI include:. People with lactose intolerance might use lactase supplements to help them break down the sugar in dairy products.

Some evidence suggests that digestive enzyme supplements might also benefit people with celiac disease, an immune reaction to gluten that damages the small intestine. There's a lack of research on the safety of digestive enzyme supplements.

Still, some evidence suggests that the risk of using them is low. Research has not identified whether certain digestive enzyme supplements, such as lipase, are safe for pregnant and breastfeeding people.

It might be helpful to err on the side of caution and not use these supplements unless a healthcare provider directs you to do so. There also isn't enough research to determine if digestive enzyme supplements are safe for children. Bile salt-stimulated lipase might be unsafe and worsen GI symptoms in premature infants.

You might take too much of a digestive enzyme supplement if you use more than the label instructs or what a healthcare provider prescribes.

Stop taking digestive enzyme supplements if you have an adverse reaction, and seek medical attention right away. Adverse reaction symptoms might include:.

Some digestive enzymes might interact with certain drugs, so let a healthcare provider or pharmacist know about any medications you take.

For example, bromelain , a digestive enzyme that helps reduce inflammation, might interact with amoxicillin, anticoagulants, and antiplatelet drugs. Removing foods from your diet that cause digestive distress might be easier than starting a digestive enzyme supplement.

Eating certain foods, like those with fiber, might assist digestion. High-fiber foods include:. GI symptoms can be frustrating. Digestive enzyme supplements might be useful depending on your symptoms and underlying health conditions.

Consult a healthcare provider before starting a new supplement. They can advise what type of digestive enzyme and how much of it to take.

Consider any dietary causes of your digestive troubles before taking a supplement. You might improve your gut health by adding high-fiber foods to your diet. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

Ianiro G, Pecere S, Giorgio V, et al. Digestive enzyme supplementation in gastrointestinal diseases. Curr Drug Metab. Office of Dietary Supplements.

Dietary supplements: what you need to know - consumers. Patricia JJ, Dhamoon AS. Physiology, digestion. In: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.

Probiotics: What you need to know. They may be made from animal pancreases or plants such as molds, yeasts, fungi, or fruit. Ingredients and dosages in these products may differ from batch to batch. This can lead to malnutrition as well as symptoms such as bloating, cramping, gassiness, and diarrhea.

Replacement digestive enzymes take the place of natural enzymes, helping to break down carbohydrates, fats, and proteins from the foods you eat. Then the nutrients are absorbed into your body through the wall of the small intestine and distributed through the bloodstream. As a result, replacement digestive enzymes can help prevent malabsorption and related digestive discomforts.

That way, they can do their work as food hits your stomach and small intestine. In some cases, you may break up the dose. Certain foods contain digestive enzymes , including:. You may need digestive enzymes if you have EPI.

Some other conditions that can leave you short on digestive enzymes are:. If you have EPI, digestion can be slow and uncomfortable. It can also leave you malnourished. Symptoms may include:.

Lactose intolerance is a good example of this. A nonprescription lactase supplement can help you digest foods that contain lactose. The most common side effect of replacement digestive enzymes is constipation. Other less common symptoms may include:. The environment in the digestive system requires a delicate balance.

Replacement digestive enzymes may not work well if the environment in your small intestine is too acidic due to a lack of bicarbonate.

You may not be getting all the nutrients you need to maintain good health. There are many GI disorders that may be causing your symptoms.

Trying to guess which enzymes you need and in what dose can lead to problems. If you need digestive enzyme replacement, you can discuss the pros and cons of prescription versus OTC products. Digestive enzymes are essential to nutrition and overall good health.

They help your body absorb nutrients from the foods you eat. Without them, certain foods can lead to uncomfortable symptoms, food intolerances, or nutritional deficiencies. Certain GI disorders can lead to a lack of enzymes, but enzyme replacement therapy may be an effective option.

Talk with your doctor about your GI symptoms, potential causes, and whether digestive enzyme replacement is a good choice for you. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. VIEW ALL HISTORY.