How Digestion Works — And Why Enzymes Matter (In Plain English)

Think of your digestive system as an assembly line running in reverse. When you eat a meal — like steak, avocado, and sweet potatoes — your body cannot absorb those large food chunks directly into your bloodstream. It has to disassemble them into microscopic building blocks: amino acids from protein, fatty acids from fats, and simple sugars from carbohydrates.

Digestive enzymes are the molecular scissors that perform this disassembling work. If you do not produce enough enzymes or stomach acid — whether due to normal aging, stress, gallbladder removal, or eating on the run — undigested food passes into the lower intestines. There, gut bacteria ferment the leftover particles, leading to gas, uncomfortable abdominal bloating, and poor nutrient uptake.

Clinical reviews confirm that taking supplemental digestive enzymes helps bridge this gap, restoring healthy nutrient absorption and keeping digestion running smoothly after meals (Ianiro et al., 2016).

Inside the Formula: The Science Behind NOW Super Enzymes

Most off-the-shelf digestive aids only contain basic plant enzymes that struggle in strong stomach acid. NOW Foods Super Enzymes Capsules stand out because they supply a biphasic, synergistic blend targeting both the stomach and the small intestine:

1. Betaine Hydrochloride (Betaine HCl — 200 mg)

Hydrochloric acid is your stomach’s primary defense and digestive chemical. As we age or experience prolonged stress, stomach acid levels frequently drop (a state known as hypochlorhydria). Without sufficient acidity, protein cannot properly unfold, and natural pancreatic enzymes are not triggered. Betaine HCl delivers a supplemental dose of hydrochloric acid to temporarily lower gastric pH, activating digestive enzymes and preparing dense foods for breakdown (Yago et al., 2013).

2. Standardized Ox Bile Extract (100 mg • min. 45% Total Cholic Acids)

Fats do not dissolve in water. Your liver produces bile — concentrated by the gallbladder — to act like natural dish soap, breaking large dietary fat globules into tiny droplets so enzymes can reach them. If you have low bile flow, or if your gallbladder has been surgically removed, digesting fatty meals or absorbing fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) can be difficult. Ox Bile Extract provides bio-identical cholic acids to emulsify dietary fats on demand.

3. High-Potency Pancreatin 11X (134 mg)

Pancreatin is a concentrated extract delivering the three primary enzymes naturally made by your pancreas:

• Protease (37,000 USP Units): Breaks structural bonds in animal and plant proteins into usable peptides and amino acids.
• Amylase (37,000 USP Units): Breaks down starches and complex carbohydrates into absorbable simple sugars.
• Lipase (2,960 USP Units): Works alongside bile to split dietary triglycerides into free fatty acids and monoglycerides (Suarez et al., 1999).

4. Broad-Spectrum Plant & Fungal Enzymes

To ensure enzyme activity across diverse digestive pH levels, this formula includes:

• Bromelain (from Pineapple • 40 mg / 120 GDU): A proteolytic enzyme known to support protein breakdown and maintain digestive comfort (Pavan et al., 2012).
• Papain (from Papaya Fruit • 2 mg / 100,000 FCC PU) & Papaya Fruit Powder (45 mg): Traditional tropical fruit enzymes used to relieve gastrointestinal fullness and aid digestion (Muss et al., 2013).
• Acid-Stable Protease (Aspergillopepsin • 10 mg / 50 SAPU): A specialized fungal protease capable of remaining active in low-pH gastric environments.
• Cellulase (0.1 mg / 10 CU): An enzyme humans do not naturally produce, assisting in breaking down insoluble plant fibers from vegetables, beans, and grains.

Who Benefits Most From NOW Super Enzymes Capsules?

Because this formula covers gastric acid, bile acids, and pancreatic enzymes all at once, it is suited for individuals facing specific dietary and lifestyle demands:

People Without a Gallbladder (Post-Cholecystectomy)

Without a gallbladder reservoir, bile drips constantly into the intestine rather than releasing in concentrated bursts with fatty meals. Supplemental ox bile and lipase assist in digesting fats smoothly without sudden bowel distress.

Keto, Carnivore & High-Protein Eaters

High-fat and high-protein diets demand extra work from your digestive organs. Pancreatin, betaine HCl, and plant proteases ease the burden on your body after heavy meals.

Adults Experiencing Age-Related Low Stomach Acid

Natural acid and enzyme production gradually decreases after age 40. Adding Betaine HCl helps maintain an acidic gastric environment, discouraging post-meal fullness and indigestion.

Product Comparison: Capsules vs. Tablets

NOW Foods manufactures Super Enzymes in both Capsules and Tablets. While both provide digestive support, there are practical differences to consider:

Complete Ingredient Listing & Supplement Facts

Supplement Facts

Serving Size: 1 Capsule
Servings Per Container: 90

** Daily Value not established.

Other Ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Gelatin (capsule), Magnesium Stearate (vegetable source), and Silicon Dioxide. Contains sulfites.

Allergen Declaration: Not manufactured with wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nut, or sesame ingredients. Produced in a certified GMP facility that processes other ingredients containing these allergens.

Quality & Origin: Made and quality tested in the USA with globally sourced ingredients. Family owned since 1968.

Directions, Safe Usage & Cautions

Suggested Use

Take 1 capsule with a meal. For optimal effectiveness, swallow the capsule with your first bite of food or right before beginning a full meal. Do not take on an empty stomach.

Precautions & Contraindications

Because this product contains Betaine HCl, do not use if you have active stomach ulcers, peptic ulcers, or gastritis. Consult your physician if pregnant/nursing, taking medications (especially blood thinners), or have known allergies to pineapple or papaya.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place after opening. Keep bottle tightly closed to protect delicate enzymes from ambient humidity. Keep out of reach of children.

Scientific Evidence & Clinical References

At VitaNet®, our nutritional advice is grounded in established digestive physiology and peer-reviewed literature. Below are key studies validating the ingredients in this formulation:

1. Ianiro, G., Pecere, S., Giorgio, V., Gasbarrini, A., & Cammarota, G. (2016). Digestive Enzyme Supplementation in Gastrointestinal Diseases. Current Drug Metabolism, 17(2), 187–193. (Demonstrates that multi-enzyme blends combining pancreatic, animal, and plant enzymes support nutrient absorption and digestive comfort across gastrointestinal conditions).
2. Yago, M. R., Frymoyer, A. R., Smelick, G. S., et al. (2013). Gastric Reacidification with Betaine HCl in Healthy Volunteers with Rabeprazole-Induced Hypochlorhydria. Molecular Pharmaceutics, 10(11), 4032–4037. (Shows that supplemental Betaine HCl significantly and rapidly re-acidifies stomach pH, restoring conditions necessary for protein-cleaving enzymes).
3. Suarez, F., Levitt, M. D., Betschart, J., & Stuebi, C. (1999). Pancreatic supplements reduce symptomatic response of healthy subjects to a high fat meal. Digestive Diseases and Sciences, 44(7), 1317–1321. (Randomized crossover trial demonstrating that pancreatic enzyme supplementation significantly reduces bloating, fullness, and abdominal discomfort following fat-dense meals).
4. Pavan, R., Jain, S., Shraddha, & Kumar, A. (2012). Properties and therapeutic application of bromelain: a review. Biotechnology Research International, 2012, 976203. (Reviews bromelain's broad proteolytic activity across wide pH ranges and its gastrointestinal supportive actions).
5. Muss, C., Mosgoeller, W., & Endler, T. (2013). Papaya preparation in digestive disorders. Neuro Endocrinology Letters, 34(1), 38–46. (Clinical trial showing significant improvement in bloating, bowel regularity, and digestive transit time with specialized papaya enzyme preparations).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When is the best time to take NOW Super Enzymes?

The best time is right with your first bite of a meal or immediately before you begin eating. Taking them at the start of your meal allows the enzymes and Betaine HCl to mix thoroughly with food as it enters your stomach. Never take this supplement on an empty stomach.

Can I take NOW Super Enzymes if I had my gallbladder removed?

Yes. In fact, many people who have had their gallbladder removed (cholecystectomy) find this product especially helpful. Without a gallbladder to store and release concentrated bile, your body may struggle with greasy or fatty meals. The Ox Bile Extract and Pancreatin Lipase in this formula deliver supplemental bile acids and fat-digesting enzymes to assist with meals containing dietary fats.

What is the difference between Super Enzymes Capsules and Tablets?

The capsules dissolve faster in the stomach, contain Acid-Stable Protease (Aspergillopepsin), and are free of binders like calcium carbonate. The tablets are compressed solid caplets containing Pepsin and added Calcium Carbonate. Capsules are preferred by individuals wanting quick dissolution and easy swallowing.

Who should NOT take NOW Super Enzymes?

Individuals with active stomach ulcers, peptic ulcers, or severe gastritis should avoid this formula because the Betaine HCl can irritate sensitized stomach linings. Anyone with known allergies to pineapple (bromelain) or papaya (papain), pregnant or nursing mothers, and those taking prescription blood thinners should speak with their doctor first.

Is this product vegetarian or vegan?

No. NOW Super Enzymes Capsules contain Ox Bile Extract (bovine), Pancreatin (porcine), and are encapsulated in bovine gelatin. If you need a 100% plant-based or vegan digestive enzyme formula, look for microbial- and plant-only digestive enzyme formulas without ox bile or pancreatin.

Can I take more than one capsule per meal?

The standard suggested dose is 1 capsule per meal. For larger feasts or meals exceptionally dense in meats and fats, some individuals choose to take 2 capsules under the supervision of a healthcare provider. However, always start with 1 capsule to assess your personal tolerance.