Enzymes: What They Do and Why You Should Care

Enzymes are tiny proteins that speed up chemical reactions in your body. They help break down food, clear drugs, and keep organs working. When enzymes work right, you digest meals, drugs get processed safely, and your liver stays healthy. When they don’t, you can get side effects, drug problems, or digestion issues.

Digestive enzymes: eat, digest, feel better

Digestive enzymes—amylase, lipase and protease—help break carbs, fats and proteins. If you get bloated or feel heavy after meals, a short trial of digestive enzymes (taken with food) can help. Choose products with clear dosing and avoid brands that make wild promises. If symptoms are sudden, severe, or include weight loss, see a doctor before using supplements.

Food also supplies natural enzymes. Pineapple (bromelain) and papaya (papain) have enzyme activity and can help some people with digestion. But whole foods aren’t a fix for chronic pancreatic problems or enzyme deficiencies—those need medical care.

Drug interactions and liver enzymes: the real deal

Your liver uses enzyme systems—especially the CYP450 family—to break down many medicines. Some drugs speed these enzymes up (inducers) and others slow them down (inhibitors). That changes how much drug stays in your blood. For example, grapefruit juice can block CYP3A4 and raise levels of certain drugs, which may cause unwanted effects. That’s why pharmacists warn against grapefruit with some prescriptions.

Before starting a new medication, ask whether it affects liver enzymes or is affected by them. If a drug can raise liver enzymes, your doctor may check blood tests (ALT, AST, ALP) before and during treatment. If tests rise or you develop symptoms—jaundice, dark urine, unusual tiredness—contact your provider right away.

Practical tips you can use today:

- Tell your pharmacist about all pills, herbs and supplements you take. Enzyme interactions often come from over-the-counter products or herbal extracts. - Avoid grapefruit or grapefruit juice unless your prescriber says it’s OK. - If a supplement says "enzyme support" or "liver cleanse," be skeptical and ask a clinician. - Take digestive enzymes only with meals and follow the label. - Get baseline liver tests if you’re starting drugs known to affect the liver (your doctor will advise).

Want to dig deeper? Ask your pharmacist to check for interactions, and request a simple blood test if you’re on long-term meds that can stress the liver. Small checks now can prevent big problems later.

If you have specific symptoms or a list of meds, bring them in—it's the fastest way to know if enzymes are helping or hurting you.