Do you ever feel bloated, gassy, or just plain uncomfortable after enjoying a slice of pizza or a creamy bowl of pasta? You are not alone. Many people struggle with digesting gluten and dairy, even if they haven’t been officially diagnosed with Celiac disease or a severe allergy. These common food components can cause real discomfort, turning a fun meal into a stressful event.
Choosing the right digestive enzyme supplement to ease these symptoms can feel like navigating a minefield. Which enzymes do you need? How much should you take? The sheer number of products promising relief often leaves people more confused than when they started. It’s frustrating when you just want to enjoy food without the painful aftermath.
This guide cuts through the confusion. We will break down exactly what digestive enzymes are, how they target gluten and dairy specifically, and what key ingredients you must look for on the label. By the end of this post, you will have the knowledge to select a powerful enzyme blend that works for your body.
Top Digestive Enzymes For Gluten And Dairy Intolerance Recommendations
- Nature's Way Gluten Defense provides enzymes for digestion for help with wheat and dairy*(1)
- With gluten and casein digestive enzymes*
- Adults take 2 gluten digestive enzyme capsules with each meal*
- Vegan. No dairy, gelatin, or artificial colors or flavors
- At Nature’s Way, we believe nature is the ultimate problem solver. For over 50 years, we have looked to the natural world for inspiration. Our quality vitamins and supplements are formulated to help you find your way to wellness
- Digestion Support: Offers the unique Tolerase G prolyl-endopeptidase enzyme at the level designed to target the breakdown of 500 mg gluten. Tolerase G is not intended to replace a gluten-free.
- Gastrointestinal Comfort Support: May support G.I. comfort and function.*
- Gastrointestinal Health: Helps to relieve occasional bloating or gas due to dairy consumption.*
- Pure Quality: Our supplements are made with only premium ingredients sourced from trusted suppliers and guided by our nutritional experts, then carefully manufactured and tested to verify their potency and purity.
- Pure Difference: What makes us different isn't just our process or what goes into our supplements -- what we leave out matters, too. Pure Encapsulations products are FREE FROM wheat, eggs, tree nuts & peanuts, gluten, artificial colors, flavors & sweeteners, coatings and shellacs, GMOs, and unnecessary binders, fillers & preservatives.
- DAIRY TOLERANCE ENZYMES*: NOW Dairy Digest Complete is a comprehensive blend of enzymes that is formulated to aid in the digestion of dairy products*
- DIGESTS LACTOSE, DAIRY PROTEINS, AND FATS*/MAXIMUM DAIRY DIGESTION*: Combines lactase for lactose digestion with proteases and lipases that specifically target milk proteins and fat for digestion*
- CLASSIFICATIONS/CERTIFICATIONS: Vegan/Vegetarian, Kosher, Soy Free, Keto Friendly, Dairy Free
- GMP Quality Assured: NPA A-rated GMP certification means that every aspect of the NOW manufacturing process has been examined, including our laboratory/testing methods (for stability, potency, and product formulation)
- Packaged in the USA by a family owned and operated company since 1968
- EXTRA GLUTEN DIGESTION SUPPORT – GlutenEase Extra Strength delivers more enzyme power compared to Enzymedica GlutenEase to help break down gluten and casein, supporting comfortable digestion and occasional gas relief for adults.*
- ADVANCED ENZYME BLEND – Enzymedica digestive enzymes with Thera-Blend stay active throughout the digestive tract to support nutrient breakdown and digestive comfort. Provides occasional bloating relief for women and men sensitive to gluten and casein.*
- POWERFUL GLUTEN FORMULA – Features DPP-IV and a unique Thera-Blend protease enzyme complex to help digest gluten, casein, and grains. Supports digestive health and helps reduce occasional bloating after meals.*
- SIMPLE DAILY DOSAGE – Just 1 capsule per meal helps digest up to 30g protein and 56g carbs.* Vegan, kosher, and clean-label formula free from gluten, dairy, soy, and artificial ingredients.*
- ENZIMAS DIGESTIVAS AVANZADAS – GlutenEase Extra Strength ayuda a descomponer gluten y caseína con DPP-IV y Thera-Blend. Fórmula vegana, kosher y sin gluten, lácteos, soja ni colorantes artificiales.*
- SUPPORTS DIGESTION - This product is specially formulated to support the digestion of problematic proteins found in wheat (gluten) and dairy (casein), while also supporting healthy digestion of carbohydrates, fats, sugars, and lactose.
- TARGETED INGREDIENTS - This formula contains a targeted blend of proteolytic enzymes that exhibit DPP-IV enzyme activity, which work to support the digestion of gluten and milk proteins.
- WHEN TO USE - This product is intended to be used in instances when you suspect a small presence of, or a potential gluten and dairy contamination of foods you are eating.
- DIRECTIONS - Take two (2) capsules at the beginning of any meal that you suspect may contain trace amounts of gluten or dairy. This product is NOT a replacement for a gluten-free and/or dairy-free diet.
- TOTAL BODY WELLNESS - At Nature’s Secret, we believe that total body wellness is the key to overall health. Using delicate mixtures of healing herbs and botanicals, our products treat imbalance itself, not just the symptoms of imbalance.
- Fast relief: Take our bloating relief before meals to enjoy gluten and dairy without the bloat or upset stomach: our lactase enzyme tablets help the body digest dairy, plus other digestive enzymes and herbs aid digestion of gluten and protein
- Powerful herbal support: Great meals start with good ingredients like turmeric, black pepper, dandelion root, and enzymes for digestion: stopping occasional indigestion and bloating before it starts
- Naturally drug-free: Hilma uses non-GMO, science backed, natural ingredients; cruelty, nut, and soy free with no synthetic colors, fillers, dyes, sweeteners, and flavors; this product is not intended for those with Celiac Disease or gluten intolerance
- For best results: To get stomach relief, take 1 easy-to-swallow capsule 20 minutes before a meal that includes dairy or gluten
- Hilma’s story: We are a woman-owned and led company that believes in creating a new standard for the medicine cabinet - natural remedies that actually work with a 100% happiness guarantee on each order
- TARGETED GLUTEN DIGESTIVE SUPPORT - Designed for individuals with gluten sensitivity, this fast-acting enzymes for digestion support smoother digestion and post-meal comfort. Formulated for adults seeking digestive ease when eating gluten-containing meals.
- FULL SPECTRUM DIGESTIVE ENZYMES - Each serving features a powerful digestive enzymes for men & women containing DPP-IV enzyme blend to support gluten & dairy digestion, alongside lipase, bromelain & amylase for broad macronutrient support. Aids in easing bloating and digestive discomfort.
- KEY INGREDIENTS FOR GUT COMFORT - Includes SEBPro DPP IV Proteases I-V, Amylase I & II, Lactase, Bromelain, Papain, Lipase, and Alpha-Galactosidase. This digestive enzyme blend works together to help break down gluten, dairy, proteins, fats, and carbohydrates more efficiently.
- HOW TO USE & GUIDELINES - Take 1 capsule of our de bloating for women & men, before meals or as directed by a healthcare provider. Suitable for occasional use during gluten exposure. Not intended for those with celiac disease or severe gluten allergies.
- MADE WITH QUALITY IN MIND - Our digestion supplement is formulated in a GMP-compliant facility using non-GMO, vegetarian ingredients. Free from common allergens and third-party tested to meet quality and safety standards for your digestive wellness.
- TARGETED GLUTEN DIGESTIVE SUPPORT - Designed for individuals with gluten sensitivity, this fast-acting enzymes for digestion support smoother digestion and post-meal comfort. Formulated for adults seeking digestive ease when eating gluten-containing meals.
- FULL SPECTRUM DIGESTIVE ENZYMES - Each serving features a powerful digestive enzymes for men & women containing DPP-IV enzyme blend to support gluten & dairy digestion, alongside lipase, bromelain & amylase for broad macronutrient support. Aids in easing bloating and digestive discomfort.
- KEY INGREDIENTS FOR GUT COMFORT - Includes SEBPro DPP IV Proteases I-V, Amylase I & II, Lactase, Bromelain, Papain, Lipase, and Alpha-Galactosidase. This digestive enzyme blend works together to help break down gluten, dairy, proteins, fats, and carbohydrates more efficiently.
- HOW TO USE & GUIDELINES - Take 1 capsule of our de bloating for women & men, before meals or as directed by a healthcare provider. Suitable for occasional use during gluten exposure. Not intended for those with celiac disease or severe gluten allergies.
- MADE WITH QUALITY IN MIND - Our digestion supplement is formulated in a GMP-compliant facility using non-GMO, vegetarian ingredients. Free from common allergens and third-party tested to meet quality and safety standards for your digestive wellness.
Your Guide to Choosing the Best Digestive Enzymes for Gluten and Dairy Intolerance
Dealing with bloating, gas, or discomfort after enjoying meals with gluten or dairy can be tough. Digestive enzyme supplements aim to help your body break down these tricky components. This guide will help you pick the right product so you can eat with more confidence.
Key Features to Look For
When you shop for these specialized enzymes, focus on what specific enzymes the product contains. A good formula must target both gluten and dairy.
Enzyme Specificity
- For Gluten: Look for enzymes like DPP-IV (Dipeptidyl Peptidase IV). This enzyme helps break down the complex proteins found in wheat, barley, and rye.
- For Dairy: You must find Lactase. Lactase breaks down lactose, the sugar found in milk products.
- General Support: Enzymes like Amylase (for starches) and Protease (for general proteins) offer broader digestive help.
Potency and Activity Units
Enzyme strength is measured in specific activity units (like HUT, FCC, or DU). Higher numbers often mean a more potent product. Don’t just look at the capsule size; check the activity units listed on the label.
Capsule Format
Some people prefer capsules they can swallow easily. Others might need enteric-coated capsules. Enteric coating protects the enzymes from stomach acid, ensuring they reach your intestines where they work best. This is very important for effectiveness.
Important Ingredients and Materials
The quality of the ingredients matters greatly. High-quality supplements use well-sourced, active enzymes.
Source of Enzymes
Most effective digestive enzymes come from microbial or fungal sources. Ensure the product clearly states where the enzymes originate. Plant-derived enzymes, like Bromelain (from pineapple) or Papain (from papaya), can also offer support, especially for protein breakdown.
Fillers and Additives
Check the “Other Ingredients” list carefully. People with sensitivities often want to avoid unnecessary fillers, artificial colors, or preservatives. Look for products with minimal added ingredients.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
What makes one bottle better than another? It often comes down to formulation and testing.
Factors That Improve Quality
- Broad Spectrum Formulas: The best products offer a wide range of enzymes working together. This covers more types of food you might eat.
- Third-Party Testing: A manufacturer who pays for independent testing shows they care about what is actually in the bottle. This guarantees purity and potency.
- Stability: Enzymes degrade over time. Quality brands ensure their enzymes remain active until the expiration date.
Factors That Reduce Quality
Low-quality formulas sometimes use enzymes that are not active enough to make a difference in your digestive tract. If the label only lists the enzyme name without the corresponding activity unit, the product might be weak.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you use the enzyme affects your experience. These products are not cures; they are tools to use when you eat trigger foods.
When to Take Them
Generally, you should take these enzymes right before or with the first bite of a meal containing gluten or dairy. Taking them too early or too late means they might not be in the right place when the food arrives.
Managing Expectations
These supplements work best when used occasionally with trigger foods. They do not magically allow someone with Celiac disease to eat wheat safely. They are primarily for managing mild intolerance symptoms, like occasional gas or bloating, not severe allergies or autoimmune conditions.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Digestive Enzymes for Gluten and Dairy
Q: How fast do these enzymes start working?
A: Most people feel the effects within 30 minutes to an hour after taking the supplement with a meal. They work quickly as they assist digestion immediately.
Q: Can I take these enzymes every day?
A: Yes, many people take them daily before meals containing their trigger foods. However, always discuss daily supplementation with your doctor first.
Q: Are these enzymes the same as probiotics?
A: No, they are different. Enzymes help break down food right away. Probiotics are live, helpful bacteria that support long-term gut health.
Q: What if I am severely allergic to gluten (Celiac Disease)?
A: Digestive enzymes are NOT a substitute for avoiding gluten entirely if you have Celiac Disease. They help with minor sensitivity, not severe autoimmune reactions.
Q: Do I need to refrigerate the enzyme bottle?
A: Most high-quality enzyme supplements do not require refrigeration. Check the label, but room temperature storage is usually fine.
Q: What happens if I forget to take the enzyme before eating?
A: If you realize you forgot, take the enzyme capsule halfway through your meal. It can still help break down the food you have already eaten.
Q: Will these enzymes help with soy or corn intolerance?
A: Some broad-spectrum formulas include enzymes like Phytase (for phytates) or Alpha-Galactosidase (for beans/corn). Check the label to see if they cover other specific intolerances.
Q: Are there any side effects?
A: Side effects are rare when taken as directed. Sometimes, taking too many can cause minor digestive upset, like loose stools.
Q: How do I know if the enzyme I bought is strong enough?
A: Look for the specific activity units (like HUT for proteases or FCC for lactase). If the units are listed clearly, you can compare strengths between brands.
Q: Should I take these enzymes with heartburn medication?
A: Be cautious. Heartburn medications often reduce stomach acid. Since enzymes need acid to activate properly, taking them together might reduce the enzyme’s effectiveness.