what is the different between probiotics and digestive enzymes?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted with Doctor of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Nha Trang International General Hospital.
Currently, when treating syndromes related to digestive disorders, doctors' prescriptions often prescribe probiotics or digestive enzymes, sometimes both. So are probiotics and digestive enzymes actually the same, what is the specific role of these enzymes in the digestive system?
Probiotics and digestive enzymes are 2 completely different types, reflected in each of their properties:

1. Probiotics

1.1 What are probiotics? Probiotics are preparations containing beneficial microorganisms (beneficial bacteria). When entering the digestive tract, probiotics will improve the balance of the intestinal flora and bring benefits to the user's health. Probiotics are also known as probiotics.
In the large intestine, there are always resident bacteria, in addition to pathogenic bacteria, there are also beneficial bacteria (beneficial bacteria). Probiotics help digest food well, create a balanced ecosystem in the intestinal tract and protect the large intestine. Probiotics help ferment food, produce lactic acid, acidify the intestines, prevent the overgrowth of harmful bacteria, limit gastrointestinal infections, overcome intestinal dysbiosis, help the immune system intestines work more efficiently.
1.2 What are probiotics indicated for? Probiotics are indicated when the balance of intestinal flora is disturbed, leading to dysbiosis, which is common in patients on prolonged antibiotic therapy. Symptoms of intestinal dysbacteriosis are diarrhea, indigestion, abdominal distention...
Currently, most of the probiotics on the market are functional foods such as: antibio, bioacimin, probio, lactomin. However, there are still many probiotic products that contain high levels of beneficial bacteria, so when using them, you must follow the instructions for use of the manufacturer or the treating doctor. In the case of probiotics using strains of microorganisms that are not resident in the gut (such as spores and yeasts) they are not intended for long-term use.
1.3 Note when taking probiotics Do not use probiotics in acute pancreatitis, bowel surgery... Take probiotics after antibiotics for about 2 hours, to avoid beneficial bacteria being accidentally killed by antibiotics if medication at the same time. Do not mix probiotics in boiling water. After mixing, drink it immediately, do not leave it for too long, causing microorganisms to die.

2. Digestive enzymes

2.1 What are digestive enzymes? what is the different between probiotics and digestive enzymes? It can be seen that probiotics are a collection of beneficial bacteria, while: digestive enzymes (enzymes or Digestive enzymes) are enzymes secreted by the body's own glands, helping to digest and absorb food. “cutting” food into small particles that are easily absorbed into the bloodstream).
For example, salivary glands secrete alpha-amylase enzyme that breaks down cooked starch into maltose sugar, stomach secretes hydrochloric acid (HCl) and enzymes pepsin, lipase (in which, pepsin has digestive effects from 10-20% protein from food, lipase has a weak effect, digesting emulsified fats such as milk and egg fat).
Digestive enzymes secreted from the pancreas contain full of enzymes that digest carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. The starch-digesting enzyme of the pancreas is also alpha-amylase, which has the same structure as the enzyme of saliva, but has many times stronger effects, digesting cooked starch and living starch. Pancreatic protein-digesting enzymes include: trypsin, chymotrypsin... Pancreatic lipase enzymes help digest fat (after fat is emulsified by bile salts).
The epithelial cells of the small intestine mucosa also secrete some digestive enzymes to break down nutrients (starch, protein, fat) in the final stage into simple molecules for absorption through the intestinal wall. into the blood.
2.2 When are digestive enzymes indicated? Digestive enzymes are prescribed by doctors for patients who lack digestive enzymes such as people with food poisoning, people who are often stressed, people who use alcohol for a long time, patients who take drugs (especially antibiotics) ... enzyme secretion is limited, food is not digested well, leading to bloating, indigestion, diarrhea...
For people who have just woken up with weak physical strength, they should use digestive enzymes for normal digestion, help the body recover quickly. In case the patient often suffers from digestive disorders, a bloated stomach, and takes a long time to digest, the addition of a little digestive enzyme will be beneficial.
2.3 What to keep in mind when using digestive enzymes? If abused and used for a long time, digestive enzymes will have the opposite effect because the amount of digestive enzymes provided from the outside will inhibit the glands inside the body, leading to a decrease in the secretion of endogenous digestive enzymes.
Digestive enzymes on the market currently have enzymes: pepsin, trypsin, pancreatin... or have both alpha amylase and papain. However, it should be noted that when taking digestive enzymes, they should not be used with antacids (medicines for inflammation - ulcers of the stomach, esophagus, duodenum in general) because they will neutralize the effect of enzymes.

3. Can probiotics and digestive enzymes be used together?

In fact, probiotics and digestive enzymes have a practical aid in the treatment of digestive ailments. The doctor may prescribe both of these enzymes at the same time if the patient is deficient in both. Improper use or abuse of any yeast will have potential adverse health risks. Ideally, patients should only use when necessary or under the guidance of medical staff.
As a key area of ​​Vinmec Health system, Pediatrics Department always brings satisfaction to customers and is highly appreciated by industry experts with:
Gathering a team of top doctors and nurses in Pediatrics : consists of leading experts with high professional qualifications (professors, associate professors, doctorates, masters), experienced, worked at major hospitals such as Bach Mai, 108.. Doctors All doctors are well-trained, professional, conscientious, knowledgeable about young psychology. In addition to domestic pediatric specialists, the Department of Pediatrics also has the participation of foreign experts (Japan, Singapore, Australia, USA) who are always pioneers in applying the latest and most effective treatment regimens. . Comprehensive services: In the field of Pediatrics, Vinmec provides a series of continuous medical examination and treatment services from Newborn to Pediatric and Vaccine,... according to international standards to help parents take care of their baby's health from birth to childhood. from birth to adulthood Specialized techniques: Vinmec has successfully deployed many specialized techniques to make the treatment of difficult diseases in Pediatrics more effective: neurosurgery - skull surgery, stem cell transplantation. blood in cancer treatment. Professional care: In addition to understanding children's psychology, Vinmec also pays special attention to the children's play space, helping them to have fun and get used to the hospital's environment, cooperate in treatment, improve the efficiency of medical treatment.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.