What they do and why we need them

Children, working hours, What’s for dinner?…These are the kinds of things that often occupy our thoughts. What happens inside our cells? Not much. However, our cellular health is the key to a healthy body, and enzymes play an important role in the whole process.

This article is a deep dive into enzymes, what they are, how I use them, and how they can help with energy, digestion, and more. Although I don’t take many supplements or even take them daily, enzymes are one of the few exceptions. I used enzymes in my journey to recovery from autoimmune Hashimoto’s disease and still use them now for other reasons.

After 7 years of taking it and a lot of trial and error, I’m sharing what I’ve found!

What are enzymes?

Enzymes are like a tiny tool that our bodies use to break things down and build them back up again. From a scientific point of view, enzymes are protein catalysts that reduce activation energy and speed up our reactions, all without being consumed in the body. Different types serve different purposes, such as a key that only fits a particular lock. For example, lipase helps digest fats and only lipids, while amylase digests only carbohydrates.

They also work differently under different conditions, which is why they can work differently depending on how they are used. Things like pH, temperature, co-factors, and minerals play a role in stimulating enzymes to do their work.

Theoretically we get it from food. Special production. Our body also makes many enzymes, such as amylase in our saliva to break down carbohydrates, or enzymes prepared for proteins in the digestive system. These enzymes break down most macronutrients in the body so we can use what we eat.

But with declining soil quality and nutrient density and imbalanced gut microbes and absorption, many of us could use some extra help in this area. I finally realized too late that my body wasn’t making and using enzymes well and I wasn’t absorbing all the healthy food I was eating. Enzymes are just as important as minerals and light in my book when it comes to basic health.

They are especially beneficial during times of stress, inflammation, and bowel problems. Enzymes are also key when it comes to dealing with heavy metals, parasites, and overall healing.

Best way to take enzymes

If our bodies are not effectively making all the enzymes we need, the next best thing is to take a high-quality enzyme supplement. How you take it though makes a difference too. When we take enzymes with food, they work to help us digest, absorb and break down the compounds in our food more efficiently. These are especially useful for reducing bloating and gas after eating. Digestive enzymes also help with feelings of heaviness and excessive fullness when food is sitting around and not being broken down well.

Taking enzymes on an empty stomach works completely differently. Enzymes work away from food in a more systemic way, such as proteolytic enzymes. So, although it has multiple uses, timing is important here. Research has explored enzymes such as serrapeptase and nattokinase to support circulation and inflammation. Nattokinase has been studied for its degradation blood clots, While serrapeptase has been researched for swelling after surgery.

You can find enzymes derived from plants and microbes that help the body fill in the gaps it already does. I’ve learned the hard way that the best way to support the body is to work within the body’s natural systems. The idea is not to override or overburden the body’s normal systems, which could lead to problems in the future.

Different types of enzymes

You mentioned that different enzymes do different things, so what are the different types of enzymes? First, there is lipase, which deals with the breakdown of fats, such as glycerol and fatty acids. Next are amylases such as glucoamylase and lactase. These deal with carbohydrates, starches, oligosaccharides, lactose, and other forms of carbohydrates. There are even some enzymes that target fiber to help make it more digestible, which means less gas and bloating.

Specialized enzymes such as serrapeptase and nattokinase perform other functions in the body.

Deciphering Enzyme Supplements

Flip the bottle of enzyme supplement over and make sure you see different abbreviations and language on the label. For example, proteases can be named HUT, PC, and SAPU, which are related to the amount of enzymes present and their amounts of activity.

These units matter more than milligrams, which don’t tell you much about what they’ll actually do for you. There are a lot of different terms to consider here, but the main idea is to look beyond grams and milligrams and look at units of activity.

Who should take enzymes?

Not every supplement is the best or necessary choice for every person. Those who can benefit most from taking enzyme supplements are anyone with poor bowel function or Digestive system problems. Research shows its benefits for those with low stomach acid and pancreatic insufficiency, both of which can occur with age.

If the problem is not addressed, we tend to produce less stomach acid and pancreatic enzymes as we age. Anyone following a high-protein or high-fat diet can see benefits too, because we require more digestive energy from our body and it can use the extra boost.

Another time I prioritize enzymes is when I travel, eat out, or during vacations. Since I break my routine during these times, I find enzymes helpful to keep my digestion on track.

How to make enzymes more effective

If there’s one theme you’ve probably heard me repeat over and over again, it’s that supplements work best when they’re placed on a solid foundation. Enzymes are no exception. Before adjusting doses or experimenting with timing, I focused on simple, basic habits that support the production and activity of enzymes in the body.

Chew more than you think you need

Digestion of carbohydrates begins in the mouth thanks to salivary amylase. When we rush meals, we skip this important first step. Digestion begins even before we swallow.

Slowing down also shifts us into a parasympathetic (“rest and digest”) state. When we eat stressed or distracted, digestive secretions can decrease. For me, something as simple as taking Three slow breaths Taking it before eating noticeably improves how I feel afterward.

Stomach acid support (if needed)

Low stomach acid becomes more common with age and can impair protein digestion and nutrient absorption. Having enough stomach acid is necessary to break down proteins. Betaine HCl Or bitter It can be helpful for this, but check with your service provider first. This is very individual, and anyone who has an ulcer, reflux, or gastrointestinal bleeding or is taking certain medications should work with a specialist before trying.

Don’t water things

Hydration is important, but consuming large amounts of fluids during meals can dilute stomach acid and enzymes. I drink most liquids between meals rather than with them. For some people, this simple shift alone reduces bloating and feelings of excessive fullness after eating.

Move after meals

Even light walking after meals has been shown to support digestion and blood sugar regulation. I often go for a short walk after meals (especially in the sunshine!). Movement too Supports lymphatic flow. A short walk, gentle stretching, or just staying active can support digestion and recovery without requiring intense exercise.

Minerals are important

Enzymes depend on cofactors such as magnesium, zinc and sodium. Zinc in particular plays a role in digestive enzyme production and stomach acid function. That’s why I see Metals as a basis. When we have enough minerals, enzymes, both those we make and those we supplement, tend to work better.

Enzymes and autoimmune recovery: my experience

During my recovery from Hashimoto’s disease, I often felt congested inside, like things weren’t going well. Stiff joints in the morning, swollen fingers, and low energy were all too common for me. I started with the basic basics like minerals, nervous system functioning, sunlight, sleep and focusing on protein intake. Then I layered in both digestive and systemic enzymes.

The changes were gradual, but over time I noticed:

• My rings were looser in the morning
• My joints felt less stiff
• Digestion seemed smooth and not heavy
• My sleep deepened

Enzymes are not a magic pill, but I have definitely noticed how using them has helped my body get what it needs to reach my health goals. Consistency has helped more than just doing something intense.

Enzymes for performance and recovery

While this is discussed more in fitness circles, it is worth noting. Especially since more people are realizing how much better they feel physically and mentally while focusing on this Healthy proteins.

Digestive enzymes can support higher protein intake by improving nutrient breakdown and reducing bloating. Proteolytic enzymes (taken from food) have also been studied to support muscle recovery and reduce delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS).

Although performance was not the original reason for using enzymes, I have seen consistent anecdotal benefits here, especially among strength athletes. Older teen athletes are now taking enzymes without any prompting from me because they are noticing a difference too.

Best Enzyme Options

As with any supplement, quality and context are important. Be sure to discuss it with your healthcare provider if you are taking anticoagulants, have a bleeding disorder, are after surgery, or have an ulcer or active bleeding in your digestive tract. Children may benefit from specific enzymes, but you can always check with your provider for targeted advice.

When choosing an enzyme, look for something with clearly defined units of activity (not just milligrams). Third party safety testing when available is something I strive for as well. I also want formulas designed to remain active at the proper pH levels so my body can actually use the enzymes.

My favorite enzymes that tick all the boxes for me are:

Practical tips if you want to experiment

If you’re considering using enzymes, here’s what worked for me:

1. Start low (1 capsule)
2. Track how you feel (digestion, energy, stiffness, sleep, etc.)
3. Increase gradually if necessary
4. Be intentional about timing (with meals vs. away from meals)
5. Maintain strong foundations: minerals, protein, sunlight, movement, stress regulation

I’ve found that timing and consistency matter much more to me than high doses.

Final thoughts on enzymes

Enzymes may not be flashy or trendy, but they are the quiet catalysts working hard behind the scenes. For me, it was like a needle driver when I put it to sleep, metal, sunlight, Nervous system integrityand nutritional density.

I don’t take a lot of supplements daily. Enzymes are one of the few types I rotate regularly because I’ve seen enough benefit to keep them in my toolkit. Our bodies are incredibly smart, but sometimes they just need the right support to function the way they were designed.

Have you ever tried enzymes before? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!