“You can eat a perfect diet, but you will still starve if you can’t digest it.”
– Dr. Jerry Tennant
Let’s be honest. Many of us are trying to eat well. Whether it’s gluten-free, plant-forward, or organic everything, we’ve come a long way in learning what’s “good” for us. But here’s the kicker: even the most beautiful salad won’t do much if your body can’t digest and absorb the nutrients it contains.
And this is where digestive enzymes quietly step into the spotlight, not just for smoother digestion, but for reducing inflammation that may be silently working against your best intentions.
If you’re constantly feeling bloated, puffy, foggy, or fatigued, this article is for you. We’re exploring how better digestion, supported by the right enzymes, can help reduce inflammation and support your body’s ability to heal from the inside out.
Digestive Enzymes for Inflammation
When food isn’t broken down properly, undigested particles can irritate your gut lining. That irritation can trigger your immune system and spark inflammation, especially in the digestive tract.
Chronic gut inflammation is at the root of many conditions: food sensitivities, skin problems, joint pain, fatigue, and more. So what’s the fix? Efficient, complete digestion.
Taking digestive enzymes for inflammation may offer noticeable benefits by:
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Breaking down food more completely, which minimizes irritation.
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Easing the burden on an already inflamed digestive system.
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Reducing the leftover food particles that feed harmful gut bacteria.
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Supporting a stronger gut barrier and reducing permeability, sometimes called “leaky gut”.
Dr. Tennant’s® Digestive Enzyme Formula includes a blend specifically designed to support these functions, including elevated levels of DPP-IV, which helps process inflammatory proteins like gluten and casein that often sneak into our meals.
Natural Anti-Inflammatory Enzymes
Some enzymes don’t just digest your food. They actively help your body reduce inflammation. These are called natural anti-inflammatory enzymes, and they’re worth getting to know.
You’ll find many of them in foods like papaya and pineapple, but in supplemental form, they pack even more power. Key examples include:
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Trypsin and Chymotrypsin: Two enzymes that support systemic protein breakdown and inflammation balance.
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Bromelain: From pineapple, known to ease swelling and joint discomfort.
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Papain: From papaya, which helps digest protein and soothe gut irritation.
- DPP-IV: An enzyme that targets gluten and casein, both of which can trigger inflammation in sensitive people.
Dr. Tennant’s enhanced formula now contains double the papain and a full 1,000 units of DPP-IV per capsule, making it one of the most targeted digestive enzyme formulas for inflammation on the market.
Digestive Enzymes
Digestive enzymes are the key to unlocking your food. They’re naturally made in your body and help convert proteins, fats, carbs, and fibers into absorbable nutrients.
However, factors like age, stress, illness, and processed food can decrease enzyme production. Without enough enzymes, food doesn’t break down the way it should. That can lead to discomfort, nutrient deficiency, and inflammation.
Common digestive enzymes include:
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Proteases: For proteins
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Lipases: For fats
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Amylases and carbohydrases: For sugars and starches
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Cellulase, hemicellulase, xylanase: For fiber
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Lactase and DPP-IV: For lactose and gluten
Each one plays a role in converting meals into usable fuel. When your digestion is supported properly, everything from your energy to your skin to your immune system can improve.
Enzyme Supplements
So what do you do if your digestion is sluggish or your meals leave you feeling heavy and uncomfortable?
That’s where enzyme supplements come in. They’re designed to provide the enzymes your body may no longer produce at optimal levels, giving your system a much-needed boost.
High-quality enzyme supplements like Dr. Tennant’s® Digestive Enzyme Formula:
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Support full-spectrum digestion of proteins, fats, carbs, and fibers.
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Help prevent post-meal bloating, gas, and irregularity.
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Improve nutrient absorption at every stage of digestion.
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Reduce the inflammatory response caused by undigested food particles.
Dr. Tennant's formula contains 27 enzymes, including a professional-strength protease blend, fiber-digesting enzymes, and a powerful gluten and dairy support complex. It also includes Pancreatin 11X, which mirrors natural pancreatic enzyme activity.
Tip: Take 1 to 2 capsules at the beginning of each meal to get the most benefit.
If you’re eating well but still not feeling your best, enzyme support may be the key that unlocks your progress.
How Digestive Enzymes Support Whole-Body Wellness
While most people think of enzymes as “just for digestion,” their benefits extend far beyond the gut. In fact, the impact of digestive health ripples into nearly every system in the body. When you improve how you break down and absorb nutrients, you’re also helping other vital processes work more efficiently.
Here’s how enzyme support contributes to whole-body wellness:
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More Energy, Naturally: When your body gets the nutrients it needs without struggling to digest them, your cells have more raw materials to create energy. Many people notice they feel less sluggish and more vibrant after meals.
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Stronger Immune System: Over 70% of your immune system lives in your gut. Enzymes help reduce the inflammatory triggers that can confuse or over-activate immune cells. This promotes a more balanced, resilient immune response.
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Better Skin Health: Inflammation in the gut can often show up on your skin. By improving digestion and reducing internal stress, many people report fewer breakouts, calmer skin, and improved texture.
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Improved Mental Clarity: There’s a strong link between gut health and brain health. When digestion improves, so can mood, focus, and mental energy. This is especially helpful for those experiencing post-meal brain fog.
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Less Craving, Better Balance: When nutrients are absorbed properly, your body is more satisfied, and blood sugar stays more stable. This can lead to fewer cravings and more consistent appetite signals.
Using the right enzyme supplements regularly can be a foundational part of a broader healing plan. It supports your gut, yes...but also your overall sense of well-being!
Final Thoughts: It’s Not What You Eat, It’s What You Digest
You might be doing everything “right.” Eating clean, shopping organic, avoiding processed foods. But if your body can’t break down those nutrients, inflammation can still sneak in and disrupt everything.
The good news? You don’t need to overhaul your entire diet. Sometimes, it’s about restoring what your body is missing, like the enzymes that once made digestion seamless.
Adding a supplement that includes digestive enzymes and other natural anti-inflammatory enzymes may help calm your system, improve nutrient absorption, and help your body finally feel the benefit of all the good choices you’ve been making.
Healing doesn’t always come from doing more. Sometimes it’s about doing digestion smarter.
FAQs
What are digestive enzymes and how do they help with inflammation?
Digestive enzymes help break down food into nutrients your body can use. When digestion is incomplete, food particles can irritate the gut and trigger inflammation. Supplementing with digestive enzymes for inflammation can reduce this irritation and support a healthier gut.
What are the best natural anti-inflammatory enzymes for digestion?
Natural anti-inflammatory enzymes like bromelain, papain, DPP-IV, and chymotrypsin not only aid digestion but also help calm inflammatory responses in the gut and body.
Can enzyme supplements help with gluten sensitivity?
Yes. Some enzyme supplements contain DPP-IV, which helps break down gluten peptides that are difficult to digest and known to cause inflammation in gluten-sensitive individuals.
Who should consider taking digestive enzymes?
Anyone who struggles with bloating, gas, fatigue, or inconsistent digestion may benefit. Enzyme support is especially helpful for those with food sensitivities, gut inflammation, or anyone over 40 when enzyme production naturally decreases.
What makes Dr. Tennant’s® Digestive Enzyme Formula unique?
It contains 27 enzymes, including 1,000 units of DPP-IV, double the papain, and Pancreatin 11X. It supports the digestion of gluten, dairy, fiber, and other hard-to-process foods across multiple pH levels.
Can digestive enzymes improve focus or energy?
Yes. Better digestion means more nutrients reach your cells, including your brain. Many people notice improved mental clarity and energy when taking high-quality enzymes with meals.
Are enzyme supplements safe to use daily?
Most high-quality enzyme formulas, including Dr. Tennant’s® Digestive Enzyme Formula, are safe for daily use. Always check with a healthcare provider if you’re managing a medical condition, on medication, or pregnant.
It’s your body. It’s your life. Ingredients matter.
Featured Product in This Article:
Dr. Tennant’s® Digestive Enzyme Formula
Contains 27 enzymes, including additional DPP-IV to aid in digesting gluten and hard-to-digest foods such as proteins, dairy, and grains.
DISCLAIMER: This content is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, immunocompromised, or have an existing health condition. Individual needs and responses may vary. Use this information as a guide and modify based on your healthcare provider’s recommendations.
✅ 10/25/25 Checked by: Patsy Scott, CHN (Certified Holistic Nutritionist)
