3 Differences Between Digestive Enzymes and Probiotics

Gut health is essential for the human body to function at its optimal level. When you feed your body bad food, your gut is the first to tell you that something is awry. To help your digestive tract maintain healthy functions, you may use different forms of organisms. One form of an organism is that of digestive enzymes. These help to break down your food particles and aid in your body’s digestion of these particles. Another type of an organism is probiotics which help with everyday function. Both organisms are vital to gut health and digestion, yet they both have very different components from one another. Here are 3 of the major differences between digestive enzymes and probiotics.

1. Dead vs. Living

Perhaps the biggest difference between digestive enzymes and probiotics is that one is a molecule while the other is a living organism. Digestive enzymes are proteins that are made up of smaller molecules. These are what we call amino acids. These enzymes are produced in different organs around your body. They secrete these amino acids into areas such as your stomach and pancreas where it works to help break down food in your digestive tract. Probiotics, on the other hand, are living organisms in your body. They are considered to be the “good bacteria” that work to fight off the “bad bacteria.” A balance of good bacteria is what helps keep your digestive tract and immune system healthy.

2. Functionalities

As mentioned, digestive enzymes and probiotics both have different functions in the digestive tract. Digestive enzymes work to break down the larger particles such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats in your intestinal areas for absorption. Some foods are easier to digest than others and your enzymes will compensate for that labor. Probiotics serve a different function. They have the capacity to change the species of the organisms. This helps the body deal with food intolerances as well as helping your body absorb vital nutrients and minerals. If you are lactose intolerant, it may be because you are lacking essential probiotics. It should be mentioned that probiotics cannot help with breaking down food particles you absorb.

3. Where They Come From

Digestive enzymes and probiotics come from different sources. Digestive enzymes are formed from your own cells in your body. As they are produced, they are secreted to areas in your digestive tract to aid in the breakdown of food. When it comes to probiotics, they are mainly sourced from foods or supplements. Foods such as yogurt and kombucha have probiotic microorganisms living in them already. Other fermented products can also contain a good source of probiotics. When ingested, it works to aid the body in keeping a healthy digestive tract by fighting off the bad bacteria.

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Both digestive enzymes and probiotics have essential functions and purposes inside our bodies. You should not favor one over the other, rather you should keep a healthy balance of the two. They can both work together to keep our guts happy and healthy for optimal sustainability. To help these organisms work well, you should feed your body foods that support their functions. If you consistently eat bad and processed foods, your digestive enzymes will have a difficult time of breaking down the foods properly and timely. If you do not get enough probiotics in your diet, you risk leaving your body vulnerable to bad bacteria from foods containing foreign GMOs.