NOW Foods Digest Ultimate, 120 Vegetable Capsule

I have been taking these impressive broad spectrum digestive enzymes as part of an overall plan to try to heal some serious gastrointestinal problems I have that include dysbiosis, maldigestion and malabsorption. I started out with Doctor's Best enzymes but switched to these because they have one of the widest spectrum enzyme profiles with more powerful amounts of each enzyme (the numbers and letters after each enzyme on the label). I think in my particular case, according to my holistic doctor, I am dealing with an overall disorder that has progressed to intestinal hyperpermeability, or "leaky gut" syndrome. This happens when the enterocytes lose the strength of the "tight junctions" that normally keep intestinal contents, food, bacteria, and immune complexes, out of the systemic circulation, which leads to overwhelming systemic inflammation and often food hypersensitivities that have to be dealt with. In my case it also led to an autoimmune disease by causing my immune system to begin attacking my own tissues, which shows you how serious it can be, and is how my doctor diagnosed me with "leaky gut".in the first place.Along with following my doctor's recommendatioins for my Hashimoto's, the autoimmune thyroiditis, the first most important thing I did for the "leaky gut" was I began treating myself for the dysbiosis with strong high quality time release multi-strain 5 billion cfu probiotics (Hyperbiotics PRO-15 regular strength "pearls" three times a day, and then I switched to the PRO-15 Advanced strength 15 billion cfu once a day when I needed more support). After a month of that, I added broad spectrum digestive enzymes (used one capsule after every meal or snack - part of the reason I switched was it took two Doctor's Best enzyme capsules to do the same thing as one of these, and I liked the profile of these better) to try to help with the maldigestion,and malabsorption, which are both a cause and an effect of this type of problem. With maldigestion and malabsorption, you can eat the best diet and take the best vitamins,minerals, and other supplements, and simply not be able to reap the benefits as all the nutrients pass through unable to be utilized. I did notice a significant improvement just from the probiotics and the enzymes, but I knew I needed to add to the regimen for a problem as serious as mine.My only real symptoms started out with mild but rapidly progressing acid reflux, which I realized was at least partly the result of low stomach acid not digesting my food (Google GERD and low stomach acid - it may seem counterintuitive) so I added Betaine Hcl with pepsin (NOW) to replace stomach acidity and provide extra help digesting protein, and Gluten Digest (NOW), a specialized digestive enzyme that helps digest the problem proteins gluten and dairy contain. I take all three forms of enzymes after every meal or snack, and it has really made a huge difference in my digestion improving and I am actually aware of my GI tract absorbing more nutrients, as well as my acid reflux all but resolving with the help of the Betaine Hcl. I am also exremely happy to observe that so far I appear to have dodged the bullet of developing food intolerances such as gluten or dairy, which can happen with "leaky gut" as well, and which I am using the enzymes to prevent..I also used D-limonene (Jarrow) to help completely resolve the acid reflux and wean myself off prilosec and acid reducers for good. I then added licorice root (Nature's Way), aloe vera (NOW), and slippery elm (NOW) as coating and soothing supplements to allow my GI tract to heal, and these also further help with the reflux and maldigestion as the inflammation is reduced. I also added the amino acid L-glutamine (Jarrow) which directly coats the enterocytes and nourishes them to heal the "tight junctions" to begin to resolve the " leakiness" of the intestinal tract, and I noticed a huge difference in increased absorption from this supplement and the direct healing it provides on a cellular level. To be clear, I added these supplements to what I had already been taking, not to replace anything. "Leaky gut" is a serious disease that often takes months to heal, during which time I plan to continue to take all that I have mentioned, with the goal not just a little improvement, but complete healing, something that is essential for the long term reduction in autoimmunity in my body, and thus my overall health.I am going through and listing all of this in case it helps someone else, because, while many with mild GI symptoms may find resolution with good, strong, high quality probiotics, and good, strong digestive enzymes, there are many with even mild symptoms or problems, as well as those who have more moderate to severe problems, at least under the surface, than probiotics and digestive enzymes alone can resolve, to give you suggestions and hope. It doesn't make maintaining treatment with these essential supplements any less important if you are not cured or even if you are fairly healthy and don't notice any earth shattering changes. Your health is definitely benefiting whether you can feel it or not. If you still have symptoms, you simply need to research and try adding some other additional interventions, and try adding some of the other supplements, or consider and implement, along with the supplements, diet modifications such as an elimination diet, like FODMAPS, to identify problem foods for your system (something I have not had to do).All the suggestions I have made are useful for almost any problem with acid reflux, heartburn, GERD, IBS, or any other more serious GI problem, such as Celiac disease or Chrohn's or Ulcerative Colitis, or others with "leaky gut", which is a more difficult to diagnose but equally serious disease. Try good probiotics like Hyperbiotics "perfect probiotic" PRO-15 time release pearls (or the Advanced Strength PRO-15 probiotics that I use, although occasionally some report that these are too strong for them) and good broad spectrum digestive enzymes like these Digest Ultimate/Platinum first, and then if that isn't enough, research and consider some of the other supplements I have been using with good success. The more complex your problem, the less likely unfortunately it will be that one or two things alone will be enough, so don't give up on the digestive enzymes as they are some of the most important supplements for any GI disease, along with the probiotics.Any GI disorder, structural or functional, is affecting your digestion and absorption of nutrients, and keeping you from being healthy no matter what you eat, and good strong broad spectrum supplemental digestive enzymes are the cure for that, especially while you are healing. Even though it takes many months to heal intestinal hyperpermeability, or "leaky gut", during that time I personally intend to continue to take all of the supplements I have mentioned, I think anyone with any kind of GI issue should take good probiotics and digestive enzymes, and consider Betaine Hcl.also especially if you have heartburn,acid reflux, or GERD. The day I started on the Betaine Hcl (NOW brand) was the last day ever I have taken prilosec or any acid reducer or antacid, which do the opposite of what you need and only increase dysbiosis, maldigestion, and malabsorption. I highly recommend these enzymes and taking some form of digestive enzymes for the long term. I plan to always take a Hyperbiotics probiotic and a good digestive enzyme, such as NOW Digest Ultimate/Platinum, even once I am healthy again. I like NOW products and find them to be high quality and reliable, while reasonably priced. I like these digestive enzymes by NOW, the Digest Ultimate/Platinum, because they are one of the few I have found where one capsule is strong enough after each meal, which not only is more efficient but saves a lot of money, while still getting you the best quality, Don't get these confused with the several other versions of enzymes NOW makes which are all weaker versions with a small number and questionable strength of enzymes - their product line here is confusing. But the Digest Ultimate/Platinum are the newest version of an enzyme product, and are the top of the line as the name implies. I highly recommend this specific NOW enzyme product above all others

I am both Gluten and Dairy Intolerant. This product is a lifesaver for me when I want to make a food choice that involves those items. I can eat irresponsibly and get away with it now and then. Also great when I feel I need something Fried - GREAT enzymes, super helpful, I always keep them in my bag and my pantry. <3

I can NOT be without this digestive enzyme combination. And Now has the best combination that I know of. I went without it once because i was late in ordering it...and i went through a literal H_ll! I was sick ...very sick. My chest hurt soooo bad, I thought I was going to die.I didn't know if I was having a heart attack, dying, or digestive pain. My body was in MISERY ALL day, and ALL night, each and every day...until I got them.Well i reordered Now Digestive Ultimate...which is the MOST comprehensive formula that I have ever encountered, and believe me I have checked them ALL! I can NOT be without NOW Digest Ultimate. If you have serious digestive problems then you need NOW DIGEST ULTIMATE. Now has more digestive enzymes than any other company!And if you are not making enough digestive enzymes...then this is what you need...because it is complete! It may be priced a little more expensive...but it is worth it. Especially if you have severe digestive pain.

My digestion is better with these. I also trust NOW products because of my experience with the NOW gluten digest aid

Works as expected

Ok

I try to steer clear of magnesium stearate as an additive, and NOW is my go to brand for avoiding this ingredient whenever possible.

It does what it’s supposed to do. I have lost 10 lbs. I know this helped! Not the entire reason for my weight loss, but it definitely helped with the proper digestion of food. I don’t have the usual bloating or food fatigue on this. Pair this digestive enzyme supp with a healthy diet is the key!EDIT: I started my husband on these digestive enzymes as well. He gets frequent constipation because he is a big meat eater (whereas I am pescatarian). This regulates his bowel movements, before he used to go without a bowel movement for 2-3 days which causes terrible stomaches. He does go daily now being on it, and he also had minor bloating as well which he does not have anymore with this enzyme.