Digestive enzymes - a possible solution?
Next week I'll try a new gastroencologist and in preparation I compiled a list with all the information I have about my illness (I'm 90% sure it's SIBO at this point) - I wrote down things I have experienced/tried/that were diagnosed and stuff I would like to get tested.
One of my old ideas I stumbled upon was taking digestive enzymes. I read about it somewhere before and it peaked my interest at the time - at this point I'm just baffled I haven't thought about it again.
The huge amount of gas build-up I'm experiencing happens more after certain foods and the lists of foods I somehow can't digest gets longer by the year. I also notice that I tend to have yellow (loose) stool after eating fats and some things I can clearly still see in my stool (like pieces of food f.e. corns of rice or seeds).
This leads me to my conclusion that I clearly have a problem digesting foods. As long as this list (of foods I can't eat) gets bigger and as long as my body keeps on not digesting properly (and loses all those nutrions in the process), I figure it almost doesn't matter if it's SIBO or not because my intestines will never be able to catch a break and slow down enough to heal itself.
Here's my question:
Is there anyone here who has experience with digestive enzymes?
Are there any realy risks taking them like f.e. my body getting even lazier and not producing anymore enzymes? (I'll talk about it with my doctor of course)
The cool part about all of it is that this could actually be a possible solution to one of my biggest problems (not being able to eat SO MUCH that would be healthy for me to eat). It'd also represent a real starting point for my doctor to look into (WHY aren't there enough enzymes being produced).
I'm actually really hyped by the prospect of eating anything that isn't made up of my 4 usual "safe" vegetables in the distant future. Hopefully I don't get excited over nothing here ...
I think you should definitely give it a try. I'm not a doctor of course but I have never heard of digestive enzymes being counter productive. I think when you get to a point where you feel well you can wean off and see how you do digesting on your own. I also learned that it is important for our stomach acid to be powerful in order to break down food properly. So taking a supplement to increase stomach acid is also a good idea. I think apple cider vinegar in the morning is good for this. Don't quote me though. Look it up and ask your doctor. Best of luck! -Elizabeth (team member)
Yeah, I'll def. consult my new doctor about this (tuesday next week). I bet there's a test to see if I have enough stomach acid. Thing about that is: I'm infamous for not chewing food enough ... I have only recently started chewing more consiously (it's really hard for me not to swallow foods very fast).
I'll also ask him about my ileocecal valve (connection between smaller and bigger intestines) to basically rule out all natural SIBO-causes one by one.
I'll also ask my physiologist about my vagus nerve when I see her this afternoon because I suddenly get the feeling that the extreme stiffness in my shoulders I always have and my strangely cold fingers could have something to do with my gut-brain-connection as well (my problem started 7 years ago when I went to the fitness studio so it's not impssible that my vagus nerve has been damaged by wrong, physical movements) - the idea for this came with that post here I read yesterday about that person getting really low-dosed anti-depressant medicine.
I have read about digestive enzymes and I would be very interested to know if they help you! Since you mentioned that you have trouble digesting fat, I'm wondering if you've ever done anything to support your liver? I've recently added milk thistle and dandelion root tea and some kind of liver support herbal blend to my diet because I read that digestive issues can be caused by a congested liver as well. I'm not quite sure if that's true (my sources are social media so who knows), but it would make sense for me since I've always taken paracetamol for headaches which isn't great for the liver... Maybe you could ask your doctor about that as well? Karina (team member)
As far as tests go, my inner organs (including my liver) are all well and dandy 😉 But yeah, I could add this to my list as well. Thanks. That's good! I've never had any tests done for my liver, so I'm just trying out different things that I see online. 😉 Karina (team member)
Recently, I began taking digestive enzymes with everything I eat. Beano and Essential Enzymes are what I use. It greatly reduces bloating, and I don’t have the constant desire to eat that I usually have.
That's great news. Thank you for sharing what has brought you relief. I hope you continue to do feel better. Best, Elizabeth (team member)
Yes, very effective. Try Beano and Essential Enzymes by Source Naturals. Take with all food.
Please keep us posted how things go along the way, would you?
Also: What do those enzymes help to break down exactly?
I find that Beamo hrlps me digest foods containing gluten.
