Designs for Health Digestzymes | Digestive Enzyme Guide

Name: Digestzymes™
Brand: Designs For Health
SKU: DH-DIG180
Price: 79.99 USD
Availability: InStock

In-depth guide to Designs for Health Digestzymes™—a multi-enzyme blend with Betaine HCl, DPPIV, Ox bile, and more to support protein, fat, and carbohydrate digestion.

Product Overview

What Is Designs for Health Digestzymes?

Designs for Health Digestzymes™ is a comprehensive digestive enzyme supplement that pairs a proprietary blend of digestive enzymes with Betaine hydrochloride (HCl) to support the optimal digestion of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.* Packaged as 180 capsules, this formula is built around the principle that thorough enzymatic breakdown of food is foundational to nutrient absorption and overall digestive comfort.

Digestzymes™ includes the specialized protease dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV), which supports the proper breakdown of the peptides gluteomorphin (from gluten) and casomorphin (from casein).* The formula also incorporates Lactase to help break down the dairy sugar lactose, plus Ox bile to assist with fat and fat-soluble vitamin digestion.*

The use of Designs for Health Digestzymes before meals may be helpful for those who experience gas and bloating after eating, occasional constipation, or a feeling of fullness after eating only a small quantity of food.* This non-GMO formula is designed to address multiple aspects of digestive function in a single capsule.

How It Works

Supporting Complete Food Breakdown and Nutrient Absorption

Digestion is an orchestrated cascade of enzymatic events, from the acidic environment of the stomach through the alkaline conditions of the small intestine. Each macronutrient—protein, fat, and carbohydrate—requires specific enzymes working at specific pH levels to be fully broken down into absorbable units. Designs for Health Digestzymes addresses this entire process.

Betaine HCl supports protein digestion and nutrient absorption by contributing to the acidic gastric environment needed to activate Pepsin, the primary stomach protease.* Meanwhile, Ox bile provides bile acids, which are key to the emulsification and digestion of dietary fat and fat-soluble vitamins.* Together, these components replicate the natural digestive supports that may diminish over time or under stress.

The enzyme blend then covers the full macronutrient spectrum: proteases including DPPIV target proteins—especially the hard-to-digest proline-rich peptides in gluten and casein—while amylases, Glucoamylase, and Invertase address starches and sugars.* Lipase works alongside Ox bile to ensure thorough fat digestion, and Lactase specifically targets the dairy sugar lactose.*

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Betaine HCl – 200 mg

Betaine hydrochloride is included as a source of hydrochloric acid to support the acidic gastric environment required for protein digestion and nutrient absorption.* In the stomach, the acidic environment is critical for activating pepsinogen into active Pepsin and for initiating the breakdown of dietary proteins. Betaine itself is a trimethylglycine compound originally discovered in sugar beets, and the hydrochloride form is specifically used in digestive enzyme formulations to support individuals who may have reduced gastric acid output.* As an osmoprotectant, research suggests Betaine helps maintain intestinal barrier integrity by supporting tight junction protein expression in intestinal epithelial cells.*

Ox bile Extract – 180 mg

Ox bile (bovine bile extract) is a desiccated extract containing bile acids that emulsify dietary fats, dramatically increasing the surface area available for Lipase activity.* Research confirms that bile acids are potent digestive surfactants essential for the formation of mixed micelles in the small intestine, which facilitate the solubilization, digestion, and absorption of dietary lipids and fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K).* Ox bile is used therapeutically in individuals without a gallbladder or with bile acid deficiency and is a clinically recognized component of multi-enzyme digestive preparations.* The inclusion of Ox bile in Designs for Health Digestzymes provides further support for malabsorption and maldigestion of fats.*

Peptidase (DPPIV) – 180 mg

Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV) is a serine exopeptidase derived from Aspergillus oryzae that cleaves N-terminal dipeptides from proline-rich proteins—the characteristic bonds found in gluten and casein that resist standard pancreatic and gastric proteases.* Research demonstrates that DPPIV is specifically relevant for breaking down gluteomorphin (from gluten) and casomorphin (from casein), the peptides most associated with food sensitivities.* In vitro studies show that DPPIV combined with aspergillopepsin can degrade dietary gluten and reduce immunotoxic peptide content.* A randomized single-blind crossover trial in non-celiac gluten sensitivity patients found that an enzyme mixture containing peptidase significantly reduced gluten-induced symptom scores versus placebo.* DPPIV is a standard ingredient in gluten-digest enzyme supplement formulations.

Amylases – 180 mg

Amylase is a core digestive enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of starches and glycogen into simpler sugars such as maltose and glucose.* It is a primary active ingredient in pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy—the standard of care for pancreatic exocrine insufficiency—and clinical evidence consistently supports its role in carbohydrate digestion and reducing dyspeptic symptoms.* In digestive enzyme blends, Amylase supplementation is used to support carbohydrate digestion in sensitive individuals, helping to reduce food sensitivity symptoms related to carbohydrate maldigestion, including bloating and gas.* It is one of the primary enzymes in clinically validated digestive enzyme preparations.

Pepsin – 180 mg

Pepsin is the primary gastric protease, produced as pepsinogen by chief cells of the gastric mucosa and activated by gastric acid.* It initiates protein digestion in the stomach by cleaving peptide bonds between hydrophobic and aromatic amino acid residues, breaking down proteins into smaller peptides for further processing in the small intestine.* Supplemental Pepsin, often paired with hydrochloric acid, is used in hypochlorhydria and achlorhydria to help restore protein digestion.* Pepsin is a recognized and well-characterized component of gastric digestive physiology and oral enzyme preparations.

Glucoamylase – 180 mg

Glucoamylase (amyloglucosidase) is an exo-acting carbohydrase that cleaves glucose units from the non-reducing ends of starch and dextrins.* It complements Amylase activity by completing starch hydrolysis to absorbable glucose, effectively performing the terminal step of dietary starch digestion.* Reduced or absent maltase-Glucoamylase activity may lead to incomplete starch digestion, generating symptoms such as bloating, gas, and cramping that mimic carbohydrate food sensitivities.* Genetic studies have linked maltase-Glucoamylase variants to symptomatic carbohydrate maldigestion, and enzyme supplementation may help reduce these reactions.* Clinical trials using multi-enzyme blends containing Glucoamylase have shown improvements in carbohydrate digestion and reduced associated GI symptoms.*

Lactase – 180 mg

Lactase (beta-galactosidase) is the enzyme that hydrolyzes the dairy sugar lactose into glucose and galactose—the core enzymatic deficit in lactose intolerance, which affects approximately 65–70% of the global population.* Multiple randomized controlled trials demonstrate that oral Lactase supplementation significantly reduces breath hydrogen excretion and gastrointestinal symptoms associated with lactose intolerance.* A double-blind crossover RCT (n=47) found a 55% reduction in cumulative hydrogen breath levels versus placebo.* The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recognizes a health claim for Lactase supplementation with dairy consumption. Lactase is recognized by major medical institutions as a well-supported digestive enzyme supplement.*

Invertase – 180 mg

Invertase (sucrase, β-fructofuranosidase) hydrolyzes sucrose into glucose and fructose, supporting digestion of table sugar and sucrose-containing foods.* It is a natural brush-border enzyme produced in the small intestine, and deficiency causes congenital sucrase-isomaltase deficiency (CSID)—a clinically recognized food sensitivity.* Clinical trials confirm that oral sacrosidase (a yeast-derived Invertase) eliminates gastrointestinal symptoms in approximately 81% of affected patients.* Sucrose intolerance is underdiagnosed and may underlie a significant proportion of IBS-like presentations.* Including Invertase in the Digestzymes™ blend adds another layer of carbohydrate digestion support.*

Lipase – 180 mg

Lipase is the primary digestive enzyme responsible for hydrolyzing dietary triglycerides into fatty acids and glycerol in the small intestine.* It is a principal component of FDA-regulated pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy for pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, and deficiency leads to steatorrhea and fat malabsorption.* Within Designs for Health Digestzymes, Lipase works alongside Ox bile to ensure thorough fat digestion and support the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.* Clinical evidence and recognized medical guidelines support Lipase supplementation for improving fat digestion and reducing GI symptoms in enzyme-deficient individuals.*

Medium Chain Triglycerides

Medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) are lipids composed of fatty acids with 6 to 12 carbon atoms, typically derived from coconut or palm kernel oil.* Unlike long-chain triglycerides, MCTs are absorbed via a fundamentally different route: they are hydrolyzed in the small intestine by gastric and pancreatic Lipase, absorbed directly into the portal circulation without chylomicron formation or lymphatic transit, and transported to the liver.* This makes MCTs clinically useful in conditions that may compromise the normal digestive pathway for fat.* In the Digestzymes™ formula, MCTs serve as a readily digestible fat source that supports the overall framework of efficient nutrient absorption.*

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Ideal Users

Who Is Designs for Health Digestzymes For?

Designs for Health Digestzymes is formulated for individuals who want comprehensive digestive support across all macronutrient categories. It may be particularly relevant for those who experience occasional gas, bloating, or a feeling of fullness after eating only a small quantity of food.*

People with sensitivities to gluten, casein, or lactose may appreciate the targeted inclusion of DPPIV (for gluten and casein peptide breakdown), Lactase (for lactose hydrolysis), and Ox bile (for fat digestion support).* The formula's breadth of enzymes means it addresses proteins, fats, carbohydrates, starches, and sugars in a single capsule.

Those who feel they do not digest meals as efficiently as they once did, or who occasionally experience constipation or post-meal discomfort, may find Digestzymes™ a helpful mealtime companion.* As always, working with a health-care practitioner to determine individual needs is recommended.

Usage Guidelines

How to Take Designs for Health Digestzymes

Take 1 capsule per day with a meal or as directed by your health-care practitioner.

For best results, consume the capsule at the beginning of the meal so that the enzymes and Betaine HCl are present in the stomach as food arrives. This allows the digestive enzymes to begin working on proteins, fats, and carbohydrates as digestion commences.

About the author

Written by Greg Howlett

Greg Howlett

Founder

Greg has spent over a decade helping customers choose the right natural-health products. He personally vets every formula we carry and writes these guides to cut through the marketing noise with practical, experience-based advice.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What makes Designs for Health Digestzymes different from a standard digestive enzyme?

Digestzymes™ combines a proprietary blend of digestive enzymes with Betaine hydrochloride and Ox bile, addressing protein, fat, and carbohydrate digestion in a single formula. It also includes the specialized protease DPPIV, which supports the breakdown of the peptides gluteomorphin (from gluten) and casomorphin (from casein), as well as Lactase for lactose digestion.*

Why does Digestzymes™ contain Ox bile?

Ox bile provides bile acids, which are key to the digestion of fat and fat-soluble vitamins.* Bile acids act as natural emulsifiers, increasing the surface area of dietary fats so that Lipase can break them down more efficiently. Ox bile digestive enzyme formulas can offer further support for malabsorption and maldigestion of fats.*

Can Digestzymes™ help with occasional bloating after meals?

The use of Digestzymes™ before meals may be helpful for those who experience gas and bloating after eating, occasional constipation, or a feeling of fullness after eating only a small quantity of food.* The multi-enzyme blend is designed to support thorough food breakdown, which may help reduce these common post-meal discomforts.*

How does DPPIV in Digestzymes™ support gluten and casein digestion?

DPPIV (dipeptidyl peptidase IV) is a specialized protease that cleaves proline-rich peptides—the type of bonds found in gluten and casein proteins that resist standard pancreatic and gastric proteases.* Research suggests DPPIV supports the proper breakdown of gluteomorphin (from gluten) and casomorphin (from casein).* Note that Digestzymes™ is not a treatment for celiac disease and should not replace a gluten-free diet where medically necessary.

Is Digestzymes™ non-GMO?

Yes, Digestzymes™ is a non-GMO product.

How many capsules are in a bottle of Digestzymes™?

Each bottle of Digestzymes™ contains 180 capsules. At the suggested serving size of 1 capsule per day, this provides a 180-day supply when used as directed.

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