Bioptimizers’ Masszymes Review – Digestive Enzyme Supplement That Works!

Last Updated:

Key Information

Masszymes contains plant-based enzymes

Masszymes is a blend of 100% natural digestive enzymes derived from fungi, yeast, and pineapple.

Masszymes helps break down proteins

Masszymes has a unique formula of proteases, enzymes that digest proteins into amino acids, which are essential for many bodily functions.

Masszymes relieves digestive disorders

Masszymes can help reduce symptoms of GERD, SIBO, bloating, IBS, and dysbiosis by enhancing digestion and nutrient absorption.

Masszymes supports mental health

Masszymes can improve the gut-brain axis, the communication between the gut and the brain, by balancing the gut microbiota and protecting the blood-brain barrier.

Affiliate Disclosure: Holistic Nootropics may earn affiliate commissions if you purchase through the links on this page. Here's how it works.

Hey there!

Welcome to my review of Masszymes from Bioptimizers.

I’ve been using Masszymes for the last six months and believe this is one of the best digestive enzymes on the market in March 2024.

I strongly believe in the power of good gut health and its cascading healing benefits.

Masszymes have been a big part of my health journey and I use them daily to better digest food and, most importantly, absorb the crucial nutrients from the food.

The following review is a deep dive into my experience with Masszymes digestive enzymes including their benefits, the science of how they work, and where you can buy them.

If you’re ready to learn more about the best digestive enzymes on the planet, let’s jump into it!

Biohack Your Brainpower

Stay ahead with our newsletter: cutting-edge biohacking tips and the latest in nootropics, all in one place.

Where To Buy Masszymes

Bioidentical Digestive Enzymes

Masszymes

5
Masszymes
Shop NowUse code holisticnootropics10 to save 10%
Shop NowUse code holisticnootropics10 to save 10%
  • Potent blend of 14+ natural enzymes to support protein, carbohydrate, and fat digestion

  • Improves nutrient absorption

  • Relieves occasional gas, bloating, and indigestion

  • USA: Free Shipping Over $90 CAN: Free Shipping Over $150 International: Free Shipping Over $200

  • Promotes a balanced microbiome for overall wellness and decreased inflammation

  • Vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free formula


My Personal Review of Masszymes

As stated above I’ve been using Masszymes for 6 months at the time of this writing.

I started using them as a part of my bigger gut healing protocol.

I learned from my NTP training that good gut health requires a top-down approach, where you need to optimize the function of your upper GI to make things easier for your lower GI.

For years I abused my gut health with bad food and eating habits like late-night eating and stressful eating that lowered my natural production of digestive enzymes and eventually led to gut distress and poor nutrient assimilation.

Ever since I started taking 2 Masszymes 15-20 minutes before a meal (breakfast, lunch, dinner) I noticed many of my preexisting digestive issues such as cramping, bloating, gas, and constipation begin to fade away.

I also notice that these enzymes have helped increase my natural production of enzymes as I slowly reduce usage and have observed no ill effects.

I have also not experienced any side effects that some people notice when taking digestive enzymes.

If you deal with gut issues, I can confidently say that using Masszymes could be the game-changer you’re looking for.

What is MassZymes?

MassZymes is a potent blend of 100% plant-based digestive enzymes designed to enhance your body’s natural digestive process.

They help relieve conditions associated with poor digestion like gas, bloating, fatigue, and nausea.

MassZymes contains a unique blend of proteases absent in other digestive supplements.  Protease is crucial for proper protein digestion.

This helps your body absorb more amino acids from the protein you eat.

Amino acids are the body’s building blocks. Proper protein digestion helps in proper molecular signaling, DNA replication, reproductive functions, blood behavior, and, most importantly, protecting the brain from neurodegenerative diseases.1Carlos López-Otín and Judith S. Bond, Proteases: Multifunctional Enzymes in Life and Disease J Biol Chem. 20082Judith S. Bond, Proteases: History, discovery, and roles in health and disease J Biol Chem. 2019

Since Masszymes are plant-based, so they are more bioavailable and effective than synthetic-based digestive enzyme products.

Do MassZymes Work?

Masszymes has hundreds of reviews from satisfied customers, touting their success with the product.

I’ve experienced great results with the product and always recommend digestive enzymes as first-line therapy to anyone with digestive and mental health issues.

MassZymes Ingredients

MassZymes uses the following natural ingredients to boost digestive enzymatic activity.

Aspergillus Oryzae

Aspergillus Oryzae

Aspergillus oryzae is a fungus used in making soy sauce, sake, and vinegar. It contains several digestive enzymes: protease, peptidase, amylase, lactase, and malt diastase.3Julius Oben, Shil C Kothari, and Mark L Anderson, An open label study to determine the effects of an oral proteolytic enzyme system on whey protein concentrate metabolism in healthy males J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 20084Eiji Ichishima, Development of enzyme technology for Aspergillus oryzae, A. sojae, and A. luchuensis, the national microorganisms of Japan Fungal Molecular Biology and Biotechnology. 2016

. These are useful for breaking down proteins, sugars, and starches that are prominent in most people’s diets.

Aspergillus Niger

BiOptimizers' Masszymes

Aspergillus niger is another fungus that digests gluten before entering the duodenum, the first part of the small intestine. It also contains protease, glucoamylase, lipase, phytase, pectinase, and hemicellulose.5Julia König, Savanne Holster, Maaike J. Bruins & Robert J. Brummer, Randomized clinical trial: Effective gluten degradation by Aspergillus niger-derived enzyme in a complex meal setting Scientific Reports. 20176Timothy C. Cairns,corresponding author Corrado Nai,corresponding author and Vera Meyer, How a fungus shapes biotechnology: 100 years of Aspergillus niger research Fungal Biol Biotechnol. 2018

Ananas Comusus

BiOptimizers' Masszymes

Pineapple (Ananas comusus) is rich in bromelain, a protein-digesting enzyme beneficial for sinusitis, bronchitis, and fast absorption of antibiotics.7Rajendra Pavan, Sapna Jain, Shraddha, and Ajay Kumar, Properties and Therapeutic Application of Bromelain: A Review Biotechnol Res Int. 2012

Saccharomyces Cerevisiae

Saccharomyces cerevisiae is another yeast beneficial for inflammatory bowel diseases and several types of diarrhea. It also contains invertase, an enzyme necessary for the hydrolysis of sucrose.8Liqin Du, Hao Pang, Zilong Wang, Jian Lu, Yutuo Wei, and Ribo Huang, Characterization of an Invertase with pH Tolerance and Truncation of Its N-Terminal to Shift Optimum Activity toward Neutral pH PLoS One. 2013

Trichoderma Longibrachiatum

Trichoderma longibrachiatum is a fungus that produces the enzyme beta-glucanase and cellulase that helps break down carbohydrates properly.9D. El Khoury, C. Cuda, B. L. Luhovyy, and G. H. Anderson, Beta Glucan: Health Benefits in Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome J Nutr Metab. 201210Judyta Strakowska, Lidia Błaszczyk,Jerzy Chełkowski, The significance of cellulolytic enzymes produced by Trichoderma in opportunistic lifestyle of this fungus Journal of Basic Microbiology. 2014

AstraZyme

AstraZyme

AstraZyme is a proprietary blend of proteolytic enzymes, Astragalus, ginseng, and other natural ingredients formulated to provide relief for gastrointestinal disorders, more energy, and weight loss.

Quick Review of the Digestive Process

Each part of the digestive system has a specific function, and digestive enzymes work in every step of the body’s process to enjoy the benefits of the nutrients from the food.11Ifeanyichukwu Ogobuiro; Justin Gonzales; Faiz Tuma.Physiology, Gastrointestinal StatPearls Publishing. 2020

In the mouth, digestion starts with salivary amylase, aka saliva. These enzymes break down complex carbohydrates into simple carbohydrates.

Digestive Process

As the food enters the stomach, more digestive enzymes in the gut change food into chyme. Here, protein-digesting enzymes do the job.

The small intestine is the final stage of the digestion process. Ninety (90%) of the digestion and absorption process happens in the small intestines.

Lastly, the large intestine excretes undigested and unabsorbed food to complete the digestion process.

Benefits of Digestive Enzymes

Severe medical conditions arise from improperly digested food. Aside from not maximizing the nutrients from the food you eat, the absence or malfunctioning of a digestive enzyme poses many problems.

Digestive Enzymes

Unbroken down food can wreak havoc along your GI tract and cause issues like dysbiosis, IBS, Crohn’s Disease, and SIBO.12Paolo Riccio and Rocco Rossano, Undigested Food and Gut Microbiota May Cooperate in the Pathogenesis of Neuroinflammatory Diseases: A Matter of Barriers and a Proposal on the Origin of Organ Specificity Nutrients. 2019

The lack of the enzyme lactase can lead to lactose intolerance and can lead to an upset stomach, bloating, diarrhea, and other uncomfortable symptoms.

Improve overall gut health and severe gut conditions

Digestive enzymes help boost digestion to promote overall gut health and reduce serious gut problems like GERD, dyspepsia13Muhammed Majeed,Shaheen Majeed,Kalyanam Nagabhushanam,Sivakumar Arumugam,Anurag Pande, Mahesh Paschapur, and Furqan Ali, Evaluation of the Safety and Efficacy of a Multienzyme Complex in Patients with Functional Dyspepsia: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study J Med Food. 2018, and inflammatory bowel disorder.

For example, the pancreas produces the enzymes lipase for breaking down fats, amylase for carbohydrates, and protease for proteins. When the pancreas fails to do its job, the result is maldigestion and malabsorption, which eventually lead to more severe gut issues.14Alhassan O. Ghodeif; Samy A. Azer., Pancreatic Insufficiency StatPearls Publishing. 202015Vikesh K Singh , Mark E Haupt , David E Geller , Jerry A Hall , Pedro M Quintana Diez, Less common etiologies of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency World J Gastroenterol. 2017

Gut problems ultimately manifest as severe health conditions16Aliye Uc, M.D. and Douglas S. Fishman, M.D.Pancreatic Disorders Pediatr Clin North Am. 2017 like decreased immunity, cardiovascular issues, and depression.17An-Zhong Zhang, Qing-Cai Wang, Kun-Ming Huang, Jia-Guo Huang, Chang-Hong Zhou, Fu-Qiang Sun, Su-Wen Wang, and Feng-Ting Wu, Prevalence of depression and anxiety in patients with chronic digestive system diseases: A multicenter epidemiological study World J Gastroenterol. 2016

Digestive enzyme supplementation improves gastrointestinal disorders for a net-plus in your overall health.18Gianluca Ianiro, Silvia Pecere, Valentina Giorgio, Antonio Gasbarrini, and Giovanni Cammarota, Digestive Enzyme Supplementation in Gastrointestinal Diseases Curr Drug Metab. 201619Thomas Quinten,corresponding , Jean-Michel Philippart, Thomas De Beer, Stefaan Vervarcke, and Mieke Van Den Driessche, Can the supplementation of a digestive enzyme complex offer a solution for common digestive problems? Arch Public Health. 2014

GERD

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is common among the elderly, smokers, sedate, and those with a BMI of more than 30.20Danisa M. Clarrett, MD, Christine Hachem, MD, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Mo Med. 2018

gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

One of the causes of GERD is the imbalance in digestive juices. When the gastric acid secretion in the gut decreases, harmful bacteria multiply, and altered microbiome results in GERD21 Liying Yang, MD, Noami Chaudhary, MD, Jonathan Baghdadi, MD, and Zhiheng Pei, MD, PhDMicrobiome in Reflux Disorders and Esophageal AdenocarcinomaCancer J. 2015 and even cancer.22R H Hunt, M Camilleri, S E Crowe, E M El-Omar, J G Fox, E J Kuipers, P Malfertheiner, K E L McColl, D M Pritchard, M Rugge, A Sonnenberg, K Sugano, and J Tack, The stomach in health and disease Gut. 2016

Aside from the physical discomfort, GERD also increases depression, anxiety, and other psychological distress.23Xiao-Jun Yang, Hong-Mei Jiang, Xiao-Hua Hou, and Jun Song, Anxiety and depression in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease and their effect on quality of life World J Gastroenterol. 201524Lei Zhang , Lei Tu , Jie Chen , Jun Song , Tao Bai , Xue-Lian Xiang , Rui-Yun Wang , Xiao-Hua Hou , Health-related quality of life in gastroesophageal reflux patients with noncardiac chest pain: Emphasis on the role of psychological distress World J Gastroenterol. 2017

Nutritional intervention through digestive enzyme supplementation helps resolve the symptoms of GERD.25Kasia Kines, MS, MA, CN, CNS, LDN and Tina Krupczak, MS, CNS, LDN, Nutritional Interventions for Gastroesophageal Reflux, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and Hypochlorhydria: A Case Report Integr Med (Encinitas). 2016

SIBO

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) refers to a condition where excessive bacteria in the small intestines produces intestinal symptoms. SIBO is so ubiquitous nowadays that most clinicians consider it in patients in patients with non-specific gastrointestinal complaints.26Sufian J. Sorathia; John M. Rivas, Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth StatPearls Publishing; 2020

Several factors affect SIBO, including physiological makeup, immunodeficiency disorders, hormonal imbalance, and metabolic disorders.

SIBO symptoms include bloating, diarrhea, weight loss, malnutrition, and imbalance in gut microbiota is the main culprit,27Jan Bures, Jiri Cyrany, Darina Kohoutova, Miroslav Förstl, Stanislav Rejchrt, Jaroslav Kvetina, Viktor Vorisek, and Marcela Kopacova, Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth syndrome World J Gastroenterol. 2010

mostly caused by low digestive enzymes.28Gianluca Ianiro, Silvia Pecere, Valentina Giorgio,Antonio Gasbarrini, and Giovanni Cammarota, Digestive Enzyme Supplementation in Gastrointestinal Diseases Curr Drug Metab. 201629Nihal Hasan and Hongyi Yang, Factors affecting the composition of the gut microbiota, and its modulation PeerJ. 2019

SIBO can also affect the gut-brain axis.30Alison C Bested, Alan C Logan, and Eva M Selhub, Intestinal microbiota, probiotics and mental health: from Metchnikoff to modern advances: Part II – contemporary contextual research Gut Pathog. 201331Megan Clapp,Nadia Aurora, Lindsey Herrera,Manisha Bhatia, Emily Wilen, and Sarah Wakefield, Gut microbiota’s effect on mental health: The gut-brain axis Clin Pract. 2017

For example, depression and anxiety are prevelant in those who test positive for SIBO.32Co, Paul Vincent MD; Wool, Laura PsyD; Sprang, Michael MD; Venu, Mukund MD, Evaluation of Rate of Depression and Anxiety in Patients Presenting for Hydrogen Breath Testing American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2017

Digestive enzyme supplementation can help prevent SIBO by eliminating bacteria buildup from unbroken down food while enhancing nutrient absorption.

Bloating

Digestive enzyme supplementation offers a solution to bloating and other related diseases.33Thomas Quinten, Jean-Michel Philippart, Thomas De Beer, Stefaan Vervarcke, and Mieke Van Den Driessche, Can the supplementation of a digestive enzyme complex offer a solution for common digestive problems? Arch Public Health. 201434William L. Hasler, MD, Gas and Bloating Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y). 2006

Bloating is not a disease but rather a misunderstood symptom of patients with irritable bowel syndrome and gastrointestinal disorders.35A Young Seo, Nayoung Kim, and Dong Hyun Oh, Abdominal Bloating: Pathophysiology and Treatment J Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2013

Bloated patients report gassiness and, sometimes, abdominal distention.

Rome III criteria for functional bloating lists these symptoms:

  • the recurrent feeling of bloating for at least three days per month,
  • the onset of symptoms six months before diagnosis,
  • presence of symptoms for at least three months, and;
  • insufficient criteria to diagnose other functional gastrointestinal disorders.

Mental and psychological stress can also heighten symptoms of bloating and diarrhea.36Paola Iovino, Cristina Bucci, Fabrizio Tremolaterra, Antonella Santonicola, and Giuseppe Chiarioni, Bloating and functional gastro-intestinal disorders: Where are we and where are we going? World J Gastroenterol. 2014

Using digestive enzymes before meals can substantially reduce bloating, which benefits the entire digestive process.

IBS

diarrhea

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), according to the Rome IV criteria, includes symptoms like:

  • abdominal pain,
  • change in form and frequency of stool,
  • the onset of symptoms greater than six months, and;
  • symptom activity during the last three months occurring at least one day per week.

Supplementation with digestive enzymes improves the discomfort from IBS symptoms.37R Spagnuolo, C Cosco, R M Mancina, G Ruggiero, P Garieri, V Cosco, P Doldo, Beta-glucan, inositol and digestive enzymes improve quality of life of patients with inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2017

.

Enzymes paired with beta-glucan (a soluble dietary fiber) and inositol (a vitamin-like substance effective in balancing body chemicals associated with panic disorder, depression, and OCD)38Mary E Money, Jaroslaw Walkowiak, Chris Virgilio, and Nicholas J Talley, Pilot study: a randomised, double blind, placebo controlled trial of pancrealipase for the treatment of postprandial irritable bowel syndrome-diarrhoea Frontline Gastroenterol. 2011 are proven to be a potent multi-disciplinary approach to treating IBS.39Mihaela Fadgyas-Stanculete, Ana-Maria Buga, Aurel Popa-Wagner, and Dan L Dumitrascu, The relationship between irritable bowel syndrome and psychiatric disorders: from molecular changes to clinical manifestations J Mol Psychiatry. 2014

Ultimately IBS comes from an altered microbiota, coupled with diet and exposure to stress, which suggests the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis’s role.40R Spagnuolo , C Cosco, R M Mancina, G Ruggiero, P Garieri, V Cosco, P Doldo, Beta-glucan, inositol and digestive enzymes improve quality of life of patients with inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndromeEur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2017

Depression and anxiety are higher in patients with IBS than healthy persons, therefore confirming the relationship between gut health and mental health.41Changhyun Lee, Eunyoung Doo, Ji Min Choi, Seung-ho Jang, Han-Seung Ryu, Ju Yup Lee, Jung Hwan Oh, Jung Ho Park, Yong Sung Kim, The Increased Level of Depression and Anxiety in Irritable Bowel Syndrome Patients Compared with Healthy Controls: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis J Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2017

Dysbiosis

Digestive enzymes can protect your GI tract from the ravages of dysbiosis.

Dysbiosis is the blanket term given to an imbalance in your gut’s microbial equilibrium.

Microbiota populations affect gut health, and when an imbalance in the gut microbiota occurs, dysbiosis follows. It is usually due to loss of beneficial bacteria, an abundance of disease-causing bacteria, or loss of bacterial diversity.42Arianna K. DeGruttola, B.S.,1 Daren Low, Ph.D.,1 Atsushi Mizoguchi, M.D., Ph.D.,2 and Emiko Mizoguchi, M.D, Current understanding of dysbiosis in disease in human and animal models Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2016

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)

Several health disorders arise from dysbiosis – inflammatory bowel diseases, metabolic disorders (obesity, diabetes), allergies, cancer, and mental disorders.

Because of the strong relationship between the gut and the brain, many mental conditions follow dysbiosis. These disorders include anxiety, depression, cognitive dysfunction, and autism.43Simon Carding,Kristin Verbeke, Daniel T. Vipond,Bernard M. Corfe, and Lauren J. Owen, Dysbiosis of the gut microbiota in disease Microb Ecol Health Dis. 2015

Introducing digestive enzymes can help balance your microbiota by eliminating harmful gut bacteria from dominating the delicate microbial balance.44Antonella Gagliardi, Valentina Totino, Fatima Cacciotti, Valerio Iebba, Bruna Neroni, Giulia Bonfiglio, Maria Trancassini, Claudio Passariello, Fabrizio Pantanella, and Serena Schippa, Rebuilding the Gut Microbiota Ecosystem Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2018

Weight Loss

Digestive enzyme supplementation helps promote weight management for those trying to lose weight.

It enhances macronutrient digestibility,45Cecilia Villaverde, Edgar G. Manzanilla, Jenifer Molina, and Jennifer A. Larsen, Effect of enzyme supplements on macronutrient digestibility by healthy adult dogs J Nutr Sci. 2017 which nourishes the body and improves metabolism.46Sonia A Tucci, Emma J Boyland, and Jason CG Halford, The role of lipid and carbohydrate digestive enzyme inhibitors in the management of obesity: a review of current and emerging therapeutic agents Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes. 2010

obesity

Ultimately better digestion of fats and carbohydrates leads to optimal energy use and weight loss, thus reducing instances of obesity.

Obesity affects almost 40% of the adult population and nearly 20% of the population aged 2-19 in the US. A BMI of over 30 constitutes obesity. Scientists theorize that more than half of the world population in 2030 will be above the healthy weight limits.47Adela Hruby, PhD, MPH and Frank B. Hu, MD, The Epidemiology of Obesity: A Big Picture Pharmacoeconomics. 2016

Obesity mostly precedes type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, cancer, and even psychiatric conditions.48Ioannis Kyrou, M.D., PhD, Harpal S Randeva, MD, PhD, FRCP, Constantine Tsigos, MD, PHD, Grigorios Kaltsas, MD, FRCP, and Martin O Weickert, MD Clinical Problems Caused by Obesity NCBI. 2000

The heavier a person is, the higher the chances of acquiring these diseases.49Theodore K. Kyle, RPh, MBA, Emily J. Dhurandhar, PhD, and David B. Allison, PhD, Regarding Obesity as a Disease: Evolving Policies and Their Implications Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. 2017

Clinical studies show that digestive enzymes can promote the dietary changes and metabolic flexibility essential for weight loss in overweight people.50Reuben L Smith, Maarten R Soeters, Rob C I Wüst, and Riekelt H Houtkooper Metabolic Flexibility as an Adaptation to Energy Resources and Requirements in Health and DiseaseEndocr Rev. 2018

Improve Gut Microbiome Balance

Digestive enzyme supplementation in the upper GI improves the overall microbial balance throughout the entire gut.

Gut microbiota plays a vital role in the physical and mental health of a person. A healthy microbiota is essential in proper metabolism, optimal energy and cognitive functions, and a healthy mind.51Ronald D. Hills, Jr., Benjamin A. Pontefract,Hillary R. Mishcon, Cody A. Black, Steven C. Sutton, and Cory R. Theberge, Gut Microbiome: Profound Implications for Diet and Disease Nutrients. 201952Andrew B. Shreiner, John Y. Kao, and Vincent B. Young, The gut microbiome in health and in disease Curr Opin Gastroenterol. 2016

The microbiota in the small intestine also regulates the release of digestive enzymes for lipid digestion and absorption.53Kristina Martinez-Guryn,Nathaniel Hubert, Katya Frazier, Saskia Urlass, Mark W. Musch, Patricia Ojeda, Joseph F. Pierre, Jun Miyoshi, Tim Sontag, Candace Cham, Catherine Reardon, Vanessa Leone, and Eugene B. Chang, Small intestine microbiota regulate host digestive and absorptive adaptive responses to dietary lipids Cell Host Microbe. 2019

Research results show that germ-free animal models have low lipid absorption even when fed with a low-fat diet.

On the other hand, supplementation of pancreatic digestive enzymes improves the composition of animal models’ intestinal microbiota.54Hiroki Nishiyama , Tomoyuki Nagai , Masatoshi Kudo , Yoshihisa Okazaki , Yoshinao Azuma , Tomohiro Watanabe , Susumu Goto , Hiroyuki Ogata , Toshiharu Sakurai, Supplementation of pancreatic digestive enzymes alters the composition of intestinal microbiota in mice Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2018

In the same way, Supplementation also helps reduce lactose intolerance and other enzyme deficiency disorders.55Gianluca Ianiro, Silvia Pecere, Valentina Giorgio, Antonio Gasbarrini, and Giovanni Cammarota, Digestive Enzyme Supplementation in Gastrointestinal Diseases Curr Drug Metab. 2016

Why Digestive Enzymes Are Good For Mental Health

Gut Health/Mental Health Connection

As noted above, digestive enzymes boost the overall digestive process in your upper GI, thus optimizing the overall microbial balance in your gut.

A healthy microbiota is a diverse ecosystem housing many different strains of bacteria.

Each strain of bacteria serves a specific purpose in producing different neurotransmitters, highlighting the gut’s direct impact on the brain.56Philip Strandwitz, Neurotransmitter modulation by the gut microbiota Brain Res. 201957Rahul Mittal, Luca H. Debs,1 Amit P. Patel, Desiree Nguyen, Kunal Patel, Gregory O’Connor, M’hamed Grati, Jeenu Mittal, Denise Yan, Adrien A. Eshraghi, Sapna K. Deo, Sylvia Daunert, and Xue Zhong Liu, Neurotransmitters: The critical modulators regulating gut-brain axis J Cell Physiol. 2018

Gut Health/Mental Health Connection

This relationship between the gut and the brain is why many mental illnesses arise from gut-related disorders.58Brenda W. J. H. Penninx, PhD Sjors M. M. Lange, MD, Metabolic syndrome in psychiatric patients: overview, mechanisms, and implications Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 201859Patrick Toalson, R.Ph., Saeeduddin Ahmed, M.D., Thomas Hardy, M.D., Ph.D., and Gary Kabinoff, M.D., The Metabolic Syndrome in Patients With Severe Mental Illnesses Prim Care Companion J Clin Psychiatry. 200460R. Padmavati, Metabolic syndrome, serious mental illnesses & lifestyle Indian J Med Res. 2016

There are two main things to consider when discussing gut health and mental health connection: the gut-brain axis (GBA) and the blood-brain barrier (BBB).

The gut-brain axis functions to integrate gut functions and link them to the brain’s emotional and cognitive centers, resulting in better signaling and immune activation.61Marilia Carabotti, Annunziata Scirocco, Maria Antonietta Maselli, and Carola Severi, The gut-brain axis: interactions between enteric microbiota, central and enteric nervous systems Ann Gastroenterol. 2015

On the other hand, the blood-brain barrier regulates ion, molecule, and cell movement between the brain and the blood.62Cinzia M. Bellettato1,2 and Maurizio Scarpa, Possible strategies to cross the blood–brain barrier Ital J Pediatr. 2018

The brain mediates in the transport of nutrients to the brain by improving the gut-brain axis pathways, so it receives enough sustenance and maintenance.

Breakdown of this delicate process leads to a condition termed “leaky brain,” which has many devastating consequences on mental health.

By supplementing digestive enzymes, you can support your body’s microbiome and all the gut/brain processes it affects.

Digestive Enzymes vs Probiotics

Digestive enzymes enhance digestion, while probiotics support healthy populations of gut bacteria.

Several studies detail how an altered microbiota affects the production and turnover of neurotransmitters. This condition, in turn, impacts mental health and cognitive and memory function.63Marilia Carabotti, Annunziata Scirocco, Maria Antonietta Maselli, and Carola Severia, The gut-brain axis: interactions between enteric microbiota, central and enteric nervous systems Ann Gastroenterol. 2015

probiotic vs digestive enzymes

Supplementing both probiotics and digestive enzymes is a comprehensive plan to address all aspects of gut health, ultimately good for both mental and physical health.64Shenglan Hu, Xuefang Cao, Yanping Wu, Xiaoqiang Mei,Han Xu, Yang Wang, Xiaoping Zhang, Li Gong, and Weifen Li, Effects of Probiotic Bacillus as an Alternative of Antibiotics on Digestive Enzymes Activity and Intestinal Integrity of Piglets Front Microbiol. 201865Laura Wosinska, Paul D. Cotter, Orla O’Sullivan, and Caitriona Guinane, The Potential Impact of Probiotics on the Gut Microbiome of Athletes Nutrients. 201966Muhammed Majeed, Shaheen Majeed, Kalyanam Nagabhushanam, Sivakumar Arumugam, Anurag Pande, Mahesh Paschapur,and Furqan Ali, Evaluation of the Safety and Efficacy of a Multienzyme Complex in Patients with Functional Dyspepsia: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study J Med Food. 201867Thomas Quinten, Jean-Michel Philippart, Thomas De Beer, Stefaan Vervarcke, and Mieke Van Den Driessche, Can the supplementation of a digestive enzyme complex offer a solution for common digestive problems? Arch Public Health. 2014

Side Effects

There are side effects that can potentially experience when taking digestive enzymes. These include:68John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP, DIGESTIVE ENZYMES RX List. 2020

  • Nausea
  • Diahrrea
  • Abdominal Cramping
  • Gallstones
  • Rash
  • Headache

It’s important to note that while many side effects are possible with digestive enzyme supplementation, most people experience very few if any.

Be sure to consult your physician before taking any supplement, especially if you are on medication.

Dosage

Take 1-3 MassZymes capsules with each meal and 1-2 capsules between meals.

How To Take

Take MassZymes on an empty stomach, about 15-20 minutes before eating, to “prime” the stomach with enzymes for optimal food breakdown.

Reddit Reviews

“The enzymes work to turn the protein into amino acids, which is what is needed to be used by the body to induce muscle development and recovery after a workout session.” – slimbodyblog, reddit.

Amazon Reviews

“I’m so happy I discovered this product. I believe enzymes can help with all manner of problems and you cannot take too many. The recommended dosage is based on a healthy 150-pound male. Once your body uses the enzymes to break down and digest food, the body will put any excess to work in other places. I researched Enzymes when my dad was diagnosed with Stage IV Pancreatic Cancer. We started him on megadoses of BiOptimizers Masszymes, along with probiotics. He lived twice as long as doctors thought he would. Excruciation abdominal pain and trouble eating solid food is typical with Stage IV Pancreatic cancer. Dad ate up until a few days before he died, and he never experienced pain at all. Several other family members have had acid and bloating issues and were taking acid reducers. Since stomach acid declines as we age, there is no need for people to take acid reducers, in fact, they do more harm than good. We stopped the acid reducers and started taking Masszymes & probiotics daily to help maintain healthy gut flora.” _ Mr. Leslie M. Hudson

“I happily have taken Masszymes for a few years, both with food and on an empty stomach before bed to get a cleansing detox overnight. Their overall higher dosage seems true after I compared amounts in several other popular enzyme formulas. For some months I took three bottles a month for accelerated cleansing, but now I am on the maintenance dose of one bottle a month. I plan to use Masszymes for years to come. The company’s customer service is top-notch.” – Mary

“I’ve been using this product for over 3 years now and don’t plan to quit—There are no more bloated feelings after a heavy meal and these really aid in regularity.” – Ruthie


References

Biohack Your Brainpower

Stay ahead with our newsletter: cutting-edge biohacking tips and the latest in nootropics, all in one place.

Leave a Comment