Digestive enzymes vs probiotics? If you’re looking to improve your gut health in 2025, you’re likely researching both of these beneficial gut health supplements! While digestive enzymes and probiotics are both essential supplements that support optimal digestion and overall wellness, they serve very different functions.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the differences between these two supplements, their respective benefits, how they can work together, and why it’s crucial to choose high-quality gut health supplements formulated by a credible digestive health expert, like Dr. Ellen Cutler’s line of full-spectrum digestive enzymes!
Digestive enzymes are nonliving proteins (this means they’re made of protein, but are not living organisms, unlike probiotics) that help break down food into absorbable nutrients.
They occur naturally in the body, primarily in the mouth, stomach, and small intestine, and can also be found in certain raw and fermented foods like pineapples, papayas, and kimchi.
Probiotics are living microorganisms that help maintain a balanced gut microbiome by supporting digestion and immune health. They can also aid in breaking down food, reducing bloating, and enhancing nutrient absorption.
Probiotics also restore gut flora after antibiotic use, improve bowel regularity, and boost immune function by crowding out harmful bacteria. They are especially beneficial for digestive discomfort, allergies, and overall gut health.
Supplementing with digestive enzymes can aid nutrient absorption, reduce bloating and gas, and alleviate digestive discomfort. They are especially beneficial for individuals with enzyme deficiencies, digestive disorders, or those experiencing age-related declines in enzyme production.
Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when consumed in adequate amounts, provide numerous health benefits by supporting gut health, digestion, and immune function. These beneficial bacteria help maintain a balanced gut microbiome, aiding in nutrient absorption, reducing inflammation, and even influencing mental health. Probiotic-rich foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi are excellent dietary sources, while supplements can provide targeted strains for specific health concerns. Research has shown that incorporating probiotics into your routine can positively impact digestion, immunity, and overall well-being.
Determining whether digestive enzymes or probiotics are suitable for you depends on your specific digestive concerns:
Digestive Enzymes: If you experience symptoms like bloating, gas, or indigestion after meals, digestive enzyme supplements may help. Digestive enzymes also come in specific targeted formulas like GasEnd Supreme to help break down foods known to cause bloating and gas, or DigestSupreme, which contains enzymes to help break down food and support efficient digestion and nutrient absorption. They can also be used preventatively before meals for best results.
Probiotics: Probiotics take much longer to work, but if you have issues such as constipation, diarrhea, or have recently taken antibiotics, probiotics might help restore the balance of “good” gut bacteria, supporting overall digestive health.
Many people suffer from digestive enzyme deficiencies due to factors such as:
Common symptoms include:
Rare symptoms may include:
Q: Can Digestive Enzymes and Probiotics Work Together?
A: Digestive enzymes and probiotics serve different but complementary roles in gut health. While digestive enzymes break down food, probiotics help maintain a healthy gut environment to absorb those nutrients efficiently. Using digestive enzymes and probiotics together can maximize digestion and overall well-being.
Q: When Should I Take Digestive Enzymes vs Probiotics?
A:For optimal effectiveness, probiotics can be taken anytime.
Digestive enzyme supplements should be taken at least 10 minutes before a meal, or during a meal or even after a meal. They should be be taken with each meal to optimize nutrient absorption and ease digestive issues but at least try to take before your largest meal of the day
You can also take digestive enzymes only with meals you think you may need extra help to digest.
Q: Can I Take Digestive Enzymes and Probiotics At the Same Time?
A:If taken at the same time, digestive enzymes do not kill probiotics since enzymes target macronutrients (proteins, fats, and carbohydrates) rather than bacteria.
Q: How long does it take to see results?
A: Digestive enzymes often yield very quick results
Probiotic results vary, but many people notice improvements in digestion within a few weeks to a few months of consistent use.
Q: What are signs I need digestive enzymes and probiotics?
A: If you experience bloating, gas, indigestion, or undigested food in your stool, you may benefit from enzyme supplementation. If you want to increase overall long-term gut health, you may benefit from probiotics as well
We carry the most pure, potent, and effective digestive enzymes on the market, formulated by a celebrated holistic healthcare expert, Dr. Ellen Cutler.
Digest Supreme — A full-spectrum, high potency combination of non-animal enzymes that may minimize food intolerances and help relieve occasional digestive discomfort.* This formula is the best “everyday” enzyme!
Chewable Digest Supreme — Best-selling full-spectrum digestive enzyme formula in an easy-to-take, great-tasting chewable.
G.I. Calm — This formula is meant for troubled digestion, made with soothing herbal extracts to help reduce occasional gastric discomfort, plus digestive enzymes from non-animal sources. This enzyme blend is meant to assist in providing nutrients for use in maintaining a healthy gastrointestinal tract.*
GasEnd Supreme — Aids in the breakdown of hard-to-digest foods like cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, brussel sprouts), whole grains, beans, and legumes. GasEnd Supreme is a digestive enzyme for gas—it may also help to relieve the occasional bloating and gas pain associated with these foods.*
If you’re looking for health practitioner-trusted probiotic brands, here are some of the best, known for their potency, strain diversity, and third-party testing.
Klaire Labs — High-potency probiotics with targeted formulas (e.g., Ther-Biotic Complete for broad-spectrum support).
MegaSporeBiotic (Microbiome Labs) — Spore-based probiotic known for gut resilience and survivability.
Visbiome – A high-potency, clinically tested probiotic with 112.5 billion CFUs per capsule.
Seed Daily Synbiotic – A blend of probiotics and prebiotics with an emphasis on gut barrier integrity.
Metagenics UltraFlora – Practitioner-grade, well-studied strains for gut and immune support.
Pure Encapsulations Probiotic-5 or Probiotic-50B – Hypoallergenic, clean formula.
Thorne FloraMend Prime Probiotic – Known for gut and immune balance.
To keep your gut healthy in 2025, you need both digestive enzymes and probiotics, as they work together to support digestion and overall well-being. Digestive enzymes help break down food so your body can absorb nutrients properly, while probiotics keep your gut bacteria balanced, supporting digestion, immunity, and inflammation control.
Have more questions about digestive enzymes vs probiotics? Check out our monthly newsletter archive and our blog for more free info on this topic and more holistic health advice!
These statements have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration.
Products and information are not intended to diagnose, treat, mitigate, cure, or prevent any disease.
Copyright © 2025 Dr. Ellen Cutler
