With age, our body produces fewer of the enzymes necessary to efficiently break down food.¹

Without sufficient enzymes, undigested food can pass into the colon, where it may cause bloating, gas, diarrhea, and cramping.²

Incomplete digestion limits the body’s ability to extract all the nutrients needed for optimal health. This may result in nutrient deficiencies in older adults.^1,3

Supplemental digestive enzymes, when taken before a meal, may provide additional digestive support to break down food.

This can help relieve digestive concerns and improve nutrient absorption for better overall health.

The Importance of Digestive Enzymes

In people with recurring abdominal pain or discomfort, supplementing with various types of enzyme supplements has been associated with reduced symptoms of digestive discomfort, such as:

• Flatulence/belching,⁴
• Bloating,^4,5
• Feeling of fullness,^4,5 and
• Abdominal pain.⁵

Each major food group—such as protein, fat, milk, sugar, carbohydrates, and more—has specific enzymes responsible for its breakdown.⁶ A deficiency in any one of these enzymes may lead to a wide range of common intestinal troubles.

Let’s look at the enzymes one at a time.

Protease

Proteases break down protein.⁷ Aging can impact how the body digests, absorbs, and utilizes protein. Low digestive enzyme activity may reduce protein breakdown, slow digestion, and may increase the risk of protein deficiency and muscle loss in older adults.¹

Aging individuals often benefit from boosting protein intake. Supplementing with protease enzymes may support protein digestion efficiency.

Bromelain Protease

Bromelain is a protease enzyme extracted from pineapple stem that contains protein-digesting enzymes (proteases). By breaking down dietary proteins, bromelain may support protein digestion and nutrient absorption.⁸ This may be particularly relevant for individuals whose pancreas does not produce enough digestive enzymes (a condition called exocrine pancreatic insufficiency).

Lactase

Lactase is an enzyme that breaks down milk sugar (lactose). Lactase activity naturally declines with age, and low lactase activity affects about 70% of people worldwide. This may contribute to lactose malabsorption, leading to symptoms such as bloating, gas, and diarrhea in people with lactose intolerance.⁹

Avoiding dairy products may alleviate unpleasant symptoms, but it can also result in inadequate calcium intake, increasing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.¹⁰

Fortunately, supplementation with lactase helps reduce the symptoms of abdominal discomfort in individuals with lactase insufficiency.¹¹

Lipase

Lipase is an enzyme that breaks down fat. If undigested fats pass through the gastrointestinal tract, they may produce greasy, fatty stools, and cramping. Lack of lipase may also prevent the body from absorbing fat-soluble vitamins like D, K, E, and A.^12,13

In healthy adults, taking a lipase supplement before a high‑fat meal significantly reduced feelings of stomach fullness 10 minutes after eating, compared with a placebo.¹⁴

Cellulase

Cellulose is the name for indigestible plant fiber. Humans cannot digest dietary plant fibers on our own, but intestinal bacteria (friendly flora, our intestinal microbiota) help break them down. However, high-fiber plant foods can cause excessive gas and bloating for many people.^15,16

Intestinal bacteria use the enzyme cellulase to help break down plant fibers (cellulose).¹⁷ Cellulase supplementation may support tolerance of high-fiber foods so people can reap the benefits of a plant-centric diet, without the unpleasant effects of high amounts of plant fibers.

Amylase

Amylase is an enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates and starches. If carbohydrates are not properly broken down and absorbed, they can ferment in the colon, which may contribute to gas, bloating, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.¹⁸

Summary

With age, reduced amounts of digestive enzymes may contribute to poor digestion. When food is not properly digested, it may cause bloating, gas, and general discomfort. It can also lead to nutrient deficiencies that can threaten overall health.

When taken orally before a meal, supplemental digestive enzymes may help reduce digestive discomfort, while supporting the body’s ability to absorb the nutrients it needs for optimal health and wellness.

If you have any questions on the scientific content of this article, please call a Life Extension Wellness Specialist at 1-866-864-3027.

References

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15. Available at: https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/increasing-fiber-in-your-diet-may-increase-gas Accessed January 21, 2026.
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18. Fernandez-Banares F. Carbohydrate Maldigestion and Intolerance. Nutrients. 2022 May 4;14(9).