Amylase

Useful for people with documented enzyme insufficiency (e.g. pancreatic conditions). Healthy individuals with normal digestion are unlikely to notice much benefit.

A rough internal score reflecting quantity, quality, and consistency of human evidence. Not a clinical recommendation.

Well-established biochemistry. Clinical use is mainly in exocrine pancreatic insufficiency as part of PERT. Over-the-counter enzyme blends lack strong RCT evidence for healthy users.

• Aids starch digestion in enzyme-deficient individuals
• May reduce post-meal bloating from starchy foods
• Well-characterised mechanism of action

Typically dosed in enzyme activity units (e.g. 20,000–40,000 DU per meal) as part of a digestive enzyme blend.

• Rare allergic reactions
• Diarrhoea at excessive doses

People with corn or mould allergies should check the enzyme source. May alter blood glucose dynamics after starchy meals.

Standalone amylase supplementation in healthy adults is not well-studied. Most evidence is for multi-enzyme pancreatic replacement.

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