Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards

Your friend's premise that "people rarely have the enzymes needed to digest" is incorrect. It is rare that your body does not produce enough digestive enzymes. Below are a couple of many links to reputable sources that discuss digestive enzyme supplements. They are in general agreement that unless you have a problem with a specific enzyme such as lactase taking digestive enzyme supplements is of little value.

The write-up from the Medical College at the University of Wisconsin says "At this time, there is no evidence from controlled human trials that digestive enzymes provide a therapeutic benefit."

Quackwatch has a write-up on enzyme deficiency and a product called Nu-Zymes. It discusses the myth about enzyme deficiencies and many of the misleading claims made by enzyme vendors.

The Go Ask Alice column at the University of Columbia says "Any enzymes present in the foods you eat will NOT aid the body in the digestive process! Enzymes are proteins (just like meat, fish, chicken, etc.), and so they are treated as such by the body after being ingested. Upon entering the stomach all proteins are broken down by the acids and digestive chemicals into amino acids which are then absorbed and utilized by the body to make new proteins, provide energy, and repair damaged tissues. Enzyme tablets sold in health food stores will probably not enhance the digestive process, since they too will presumably be broken down into their constituent amino acids. These tablets will contribute a tiny amount of additional amino acid to your diet, but not much else".

One reason you may be having problem with papain is that it occurs in such high concentration in papaya that it is not necessarily extracted from the fruit and purifed. Some times only ground up papaya is used as the source of papain which is high in IF. So taking papain in capsule or pill form may be like taking an IF supplement.

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STABLE: ♂, IBS-D 50+ years - Science of IBS

The FODMAP Approach to Managing IBS Symptoms
Evidence-based Dietary Management of Functional GI Symptoms: The FODMAP Approach
FODMAP Chart & Cheatsheet
The Role of Food & Dietary Intervention in IBS

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