What Digestive Enzymes Do (and Why They’re in the Enlighten Me Shake)

Protein Shake. Bloated Stomach. What’s Going On?

It’s a frustrating experience: you’re doing all the right things – choosing a high-protein shake, prioritising your health, simplifying your meals – and instead, you feel worse. Bloated. Gassy. Heavy.

It’s more common than most people realise. And it’s not just the shake – it’s how your body is (or isn’t) breaking it down.

Many people struggle to digest common shake ingredients, especially if they’re sensitive to lactose, fibre or added sweeteners. For others – particularly those using GLP-1 medications or navigating hormonal shifts – digestion naturally slows down. Nutrients sit in the stomach longer. The heaviness lingers.

That’s where digestive enzymes come in.

Let’s Talk About Digestion (Briefly, We Promise)

Digestion starts long before food reaches your stomach. The process begins in your mouth, where enzymes in saliva start breaking down carbohydrates. It continues in the stomach, where acid and enzymes further digest food, and finishes in the small intestine, where most nutrients are absorbed.

It’s a finely tuned system – but many factors can slow or reduce enzyme activity. When that happens, the body can’t fully break down what you eat, leading to bloating, cramping, reflux or that lingering heavy feeling after meals.

Common reasons enzyme activity can dip:

• Ageing
  As we get older, the body naturally produces fewer digestive enzymes – particularly lactase, lipase and protease. This gradual decline helps explain why some people become more sensitive to dairy, fats or heavier meals over time.
• Chronic stress
  Long-term stress disrupts the body’s “rest and digest” mode, which can reduce stomach acid and slow enzyme release. People under stress often notice early fullness, bloating or slower digestion even with small meals.
• Certain medications
  Antacids, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) can lower stomach acid or interfere with enzyme activation. Without enough acid, key enzymes like pepsin (which helps digest protein) can’t work effectively.
• Pancreatic insufficiency
  The pancreas produces most of the body’s digestive enzymes. Conditions such as chronic pancreatitis, diabetes or cystic fibrosis can impair enzyme output and lead to poor nutrient absorption.
• Digestive disorders
  Conditions including Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), coeliac disease, Crohn’s disease and Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) can all interfere with normal enzyme production and function. Inflammation in the gut lining can also reduce surface enzymes like lactase, which helps break down lactose.
• Low stomach acid (hypochlorhydria)
  Adequate stomach acid triggers enzyme release and prepares food for digestion. Low acid levels – common in those taking acid-suppressing medications or with Helicobacter pylori infection – can blunt enzyme activity and slow digestion.
• Nutrient deficiencies
  Enzyme production depends on nutrients such as zinc, magnesium and vitamin B6. If these are lacking, the body may struggle to produce enough enzymes for efficient digestion.

Supporting the digestive process – by reducing irritants, managing underlying conditions and, for some, supplementing with a well-tolerated enzyme complex – can help your body break food down more effectively and feel lighter after meals.

If you do experience digestive symptoms, it’s important to have an individualised consultation with your healthcare professional for assessment and personalised care.

What Are Digestive Enzymes – and What Do They Actually Do?

Every Enlighten Me Shake includes DigeZyme®, an evidence-based multi-enzyme complex designed to support comfortable digestion and better nutrient uptake. It includes:

• Amylase – breaks down carbohydrates
• Protease – helps digest protein into absorbable amino acids
• Lipase – supports fat digestion and nutrient absorption
• Lactase – breaks down lactose, supporting those with dairy sensitivities
• Cellulase – assists in digesting plant fibres such as those found in broccoli, spinach and kale

Together, these enzymes help your body make better use of what you’re enjoying – while reducing the risk of bloating, heaviness or discomfort.

DigeZyme® has been evaluated in clinical settings for its role in supporting digestion and nutrient absorption. In one pilot study, DigeZyme® enhanced the absorption of key vitamins and minerals, while a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial found that supplementation helped reduce post-exercise muscle soreness and inflammation, suggesting improved protein and tissue recovery (Majeed et al., Sports Nutrition and Therapy, 2016. 2016).

What Does This Mean for Lactose Intolerant Individuals?

Lactose is a sugar naturally found in dairy products, and some people are unable to digest it efficiently due to low levels of the enzyme lactase. This can lead to bloating, cramping or discomfort after consuming dairy.

Our Enlighten Me Shakes contain only 1 gram of lactose per serve – well below the typical threshold that triggers symptoms. Research shows that most lactose-intolerant individuals can comfortably tolerate 12 to 15 grams of lactose per meal.

In addition to this low lactose content, our shakes also contain the lactase enzyme itself – the very enzyme needed to break down lactose. This dual approach helps ensure the shakes remain gentle on the digestive system.

Feedback from our customers has been consistently positive, with many noting that the shakes are well tolerated, even among those who are lactose sensitive.