Digestive Enzymes for Upset Stomach: Does It Help?

clinical-trial PMID: 37976892

Quick Summary: A recent study found that taking digestive enzyme supplements helped people with functional dyspepsia (ongoing stomach problems) feel better. Participants reported less pain, better sleep, and an improved quality of life.

What The Research Found

This study looked at whether taking a digestive enzyme supplement could help people with functional dyspepsia. This condition causes ongoing stomach pain or discomfort without a clear cause. The research showed that taking a multi-enzyme supplement made from fungi helped people:

Reduce their stomach pain

Sleep better

Feel better overall

Study Details

Who was studied: 120 adults (men and women) aged 18-59 who had functional dyspepsia.

How long: The study lasted for 2 months (8 weeks).

What they took: Participants took either a digestive enzyme supplement (2 capsules a day) or a placebo (a dummy pill) along with their regular diet. The enzyme supplement was made from a blend of enzymes derived from fungal fermentation.

What This Means For You

If you experience ongoing stomach problems like pain, bloating, or indigestion, digestive enzymes might be worth discussing with your doctor. This study suggests that a multi-enzyme supplement could help ease your symptoms and improve your sleep.

Talk to your doctor: Before starting any new supplement, it's always best to talk to your doctor.

Look for enzyme blends: The study used a blend of enzymes.

Consider your diet: Digestive enzymes work best when combined with a healthy diet.

Study Limitations

It's important to remember that this study has some limitations:

One location: The study was done in one place, so the results might not be the same for everyone.

Short-term: The study only lasted for two months, so we don't know the long-term effects.

Subjective measures: Some results, like sleep quality, can be influenced by how people feel.

Specific enzymes: The study didn't look at how each individual enzyme in the blend worked.

Sample size: While the sample size was adequate, it may not have been large enough to detect rare side effects.

Key Findings

The study found that daily supplementation with a fungal-derived multi-enzyme blend significantly improved quality of life (NDI-SF scores), reduced pain severity (VAS), and enhanced sleep quality (PSQI) in adults with functional dyspepsia. Improvements were statistically significant compared to placebo (p < 0.05 for all outcomes), with no reported adverse effects.

Study Design

This was a monocentric, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted in 2023. A total of 120 participants (63 males, 57 females, aged 18–59 years) were randomized 1:1 to receive either the enzyme supplement or placebo for 2 months. The primary outcome was quality of life (NDI-SF), while secondary outcomes included pain severity (VAS) and sleep quality (PSQI). Assessments occurred at baseline and post-intervention.

Dosage & Administration

Participants received 2 capsules/day of the multi-enzyme blend (200 mg/capsule), derived from fungal fermentation, alongside their normal diet. The placebo group received identical capsules without active enzymes. Supplementation lasted 8 weeks (2 months).

Results & Efficacy

NDI-SF1 (Quality of Life): Enzyme group improved by 22.3 points vs. 11.5 points in placebo (p < 0.001).
NDI-SF2-5 (Symptom-Specific): Enzyme group improved by 25.1 points vs. 12.3 points in placebo (p < 0.001).
VAS Pain Score: Enzyme group decreased by 2.1 units vs. 1.2 units in placebo (p = 0.002).
PSQI Sleep Quality: Enzyme group improved by 3.8 points vs. 1.9 points in placebo (p = 0.001).
All outcomes demonstrated statistical significance, with no adverse events reported in either group.

Limitations

Monocenter Design: Results may lack generalizability across diverse populations.
Short Duration: 2-month follow-up limits insights into long-term efficacy/safety.
Blinding Challenges: Subjective outcomes (e.g., sleep quality) may be influenced by participant expectations.
Enzyme Specificity: The study did not isolate effects of individual enzymes in the blend.
Sample Size: While adequate, 120 participants may underestimate rare side effects.

Clinical Relevance

For individuals with functional dyspepsia, this study suggests that fungal-derived multi-enzyme supplements (200 mg/capsule, 2 capsules/day) may alleviate symptoms such as upper GI pain and improve sleep quality. The intervention is well-tolerated and could serve as an adjunct to standard dietary/lifestyle modifications. However, further research is needed to confirm effects in larger, multiethnic cohorts and to determine optimal dosing for specific subgroups (e.g., age, sex). Clinicians should consider these findings alongside patient preferences and existing guidelines for managing functional GI disorders.

Source: PubMed | Type: Clinical Trial | Year: 2023