Digestive Enzymes Explained: Protease, Lipase, Lactase and What the Units Mean

Digestive enzyme labels are full of strange names and units: protease, bromelain, papain, lipase, lactase, alpha galactosidase, HUT, GDU, FIP. This guide explains what each enzyme does, what the units mean, and why many products combine enzymes with probiotics.

What Are Digestive Enzymes?

Enzymes are proteins that speed up chemical reactions. Your body makes its own digestive enzymes in the mouth, stomach, pancreas and small intestine. They break down food into smaller pieces your body can use. Digestive enzyme supplements add to this process, which is why they are usually taken shortly before or with a meal.

The Main Enzymes and What They Do

For Protein

• Protease is the general name for enzymes that break down protein. Fungal protease is often produced from Aspergillus oryzae, a mold traditionally used to make soy sauce and miso.
• Bromelain comes from pineapple.
• Papain comes from papaya.

For Fat

• Lipase breaks down dietary fats.

For Carbohydrates and Dairy

• Lactase breaks down lactose, the natural sugar in milk. It is the enzyme many people lack as adults.
• Alpha galactosidase breaks down complex carbohydrates found in beans, lentils and vegetables like cabbage and broccoli.
• Amylase breaks down starch.

What Do HUT, GDU, FIP and the Other Units Mean?

Enzymes are measured by activity, not just weight. Each enzyme has its own unit, for example:

• HUT for protease
• GDU for bromelain
• TU for papain
• FIP for lipase
• LACU for lactase
• GALU for alpha galactosidase

A label that shows activity units is more informative than one that only lists milligrams, because two enzymes with the same weight can have very different activity.

Why Combine Enzymes with Probiotics?

Enzymes work on the food you eat. Probiotics are live bacteria that add to your gut's microbial community. Combining them gives a broader digestive routine in one capsule. Common strains include Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. casei and L. plantarum. Want to know more about probiotics? Read our probiotics guide.

How to Take Digestive Enzymes

Enzymes need food to work on. That is why they are usually taken 20 to 30 minutes before a meal or with the first bites. Taking them on an empty stomach between meals makes less sense.

Who Should Be Careful?

• People allergic to pineapple or papaya should avoid bromelain and papain.
• People taking blood thinners should ask their doctor, as bromelain is known to interact with them.
• Pregnant or nursing women, anyone under 18 and anyone with a medical condition should ask a doctor first.
• Ongoing digestive problems should always be checked by a doctor.

Checklist Before You Buy

• Does it cover protein, fat, carbohydrates and dairy?
• Are enzymes listed with activity units?
• Are probiotic strains named?
• Is the capsule vegetarian?
• Is it made in a GMP-certified facility?

Our Enzyme Blend

SUPPLI-X Digestive Enzyme Pro Blend combines the Makzyme-Pro™ blend (2,500 HUT fungal protease with L. acidophilus, L. casei and L. plantarum) with bromelain 90 GDU, papain 2,670 TU, fungal lipase 1,500 FIP, fungal lactase 600 LACU and alpha galactosidase 300 GALU. Vegetarian capsules, 60 per bottle, made in the USA in a GMP-certified, NSF-registered facility.

Need extra support for fatty meals? See our guide to ox bile supplements.

See Digestive Enzyme Pro Blend →

FAQ

When should I take digestive enzymes?

About 20 to 30 minutes before a meal or with the first bites, because enzymes need food to work on.

What does HUT mean on a label?

HUT is an activity unit for protease. Each enzyme has its own unit, such as FIP for lipase or LACU for lactase.

Which enzyme helps with dairy?

Lactase breaks down lactose, the natural sugar in milk.

Can I take enzymes if I'm allergic to pineapple?

Avoid products with bromelain (from pineapple) and papain (from papaya) if you are allergic to those fruits.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or have a medical condition, talk to your healthcare provider before using any supplement.