Enzymes VS Probiotics

Kara Lo, HK BioTek Intern

We often say that enzymes and probiotics are good for gut health, but is it true? Yes, it is! But do you know what they are and how they work to benefit our health?

What is digestion?

Digestion is a process of breaking down food into its smallest basic units, because our bodies cannot absorb these big substances unless they are broken down into smaller parts. Foods contain basically carbohydrates, proteins, fats and water, and we need different ‘helpers’ to break them down, enzymes. We need specific enzymes to digest each nutrient, so you can imagine there are thousands of enzymes in our bodies. This x food also feeds the bacteria living in our intestines. The food you eat can indeed change the bacterial population in a better or worse way.

What do probiotics do for you?

Although both probiotics and enzymes are good for gut health, they are very different. Probiotics are living micro-organisms (bacteria and yeasts) that live in our guts and positively affect our immune systems. Probiotics are called ‘good bacteria’ because they help to improve the bacterial balance in our guts. When we have more ‘good bacteria’ as probiotics, which means we have less ‘bad bacteria’ that can make us sick at the same time.

What is the difference between the two?

Enzymes	Probiotics
Active, but non-living molecules	Living bacteria/ yeasts
Split food into absorbable nutrients	Eat, multiply, and fight other microbes to balance ‘good’ and ‘bad’ bacteria
Come from raw foods, supplements, and body production	Only come from raw food and supplements.
Do NOT need refrigeration	NEED refrigeration

Bear in mind!

Both enzymes and probiotics can help with gut health. We cannot say which outcompete which, in fact, they both help each other to function at their best. Enzymes enhance digestion, while probiotics help support the immune functions of the gut.