Everything you need to know about digestive enzymes

- from our friends at Udo’s Choice UK

Everyone has experienced the symptoms of poor gut health at some point, many people have a daily battle but have never really thought about the importance of actively promoting good gut health or how to do it.

The human gut is complex, it is the long tube that starts at the mouth and ends at the back passage (anus). It contains all the major organs of the digestive system, including the esophagus, stomach, and intestines. Your 'gut microbiome' is made up of trillions of microorganisms and is the foundation of your health helping you get (and maintain ) the balance right is key. Ensuring you have a healthy gut can support overall health such as:

  • Immunity

  • Heart health

  • Brain health

  • Improved mood

  • Healthy sleep

  • Effective digestion


Diet & gut health can impact how well your body performs. Therefore, it is wise to support your digestion by supplementing with digestive enzymes.

What are enzymes?

Digestive enzymes are like scissors that cut up the foods we eat into basic building blocks that our body then absorbs and reassembles to build cells, tissues, organs, glands and entire body systems. The human body makes and uses more than 3,000 kinds of enzymes that initiate or speed up chemical reactions

Digestive enzymes are broken down into three groups, based on the macronutrients they work on:

  • Amylases - break down carbohydrates into simple sugars.

  • Lipases - break fats and oils into fatty acids.

  • Proteases and peptidases - breaks down protein into amino acids

Why might we be low in digestive enzymes?

  • As we age, we naturally produce fewer enzymes

  • Digestion can be compromised during pregnancy

  • Eating a high proportion of processed foods

  • Prescription medications

  • Periods of high stress

  • Change in diet


Udo’s Choice Digestive Enzyme Blend is a blend of plant-based enzymes matching those inside our digestive systems. Chosen to assist in the breakdown of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, soluble fibre, starch, milk sugar and complex sugars. Therefore  Aiding healthy digestion and nutrient absorption. They do this by providing enzyme activity combinations which help to optimise the body’s absorption and use of food nutrients

Abby Smith

Udo’s Choice UK, Brand Manager