By Jenn Resendiz
Every meal depends on enzymes, the proteins that break food down into pieces small enough to absorb. CHF #17 Digest-Zyme 180 Capsules brings together enzymes for protein, fat, starch, dairy, and plant fiber in one capsule. Here is what each ingredient does and what research shows.
Full ingredient list (per 1 capsule): zinc (as gluconate) 4 mg; proprietary blend 520 mg of protease, papain, ox bile, pancreatin, trypsin, rutin, thymus substance, papaya leaf extract, inulin, amylase, lipase, lysozyme, bromelain, lactase, and cellulase. Other ingredients: microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate, silica, gelatin (capsule). The label suggests one capsule after each meal.
Pancreatin is a natural mix of the same enzymes your pancreas makes: proteases such as trypsin for protein, amylase for starch, and lipase for fat. It comes from animal pancreas. Its value is well established in medicine. MedlinePlus explains that the prescription version, pancrelipase, is taken with meals by people whose pancreas does not make enough enzymes, to help them digest food.
A 2017 meta-analysis of 17 studies in people with chronic pancreatitis found that pancreatic enzyme replacement improved fat absorption, reduced fatty stools and abdominal pain, and improved nutrition. That research used prescription products with measured enzyme units, and it shows how central these enzymes are to digestion. In CHF #17, pancreatin, trypsin, amylase, lipase, and protease together provide this family of enzymes as a supplement blend.
Bromelain is a group of protein-digesting enzymes found in the stem and fruit of the pineapple plant; papain is a similar enzyme from papaya. Pineapple has a long history of traditional medicinal use in South and Central America, according to NCCIH.
NCCIH reports that some studies suggest oral bromelain may help reduce some symptoms after wisdom tooth surgery, and in 2022 FDA approved a bromelain-based product for removing dead tissue from severe burns. Taken by mouth, bromelain is generally well tolerated. In CHF #17, bromelain, papain, and papaya leaf extract add plant-based protein-digesting activity alongside the animal enzymes.
Lactase is the enzyme that breaks down lactose, the natural sugar in milk. People with lactose intolerance can notice gas, bloating, or diarrhea after dairy. MedlinePlus says that eating less lactose, or using pills or drops to help digest lactose, usually helps. Having lactase in the blend means CHF #17 can support meals that include milk, cheese, or ice cream.
Bile is the fluid your liver makes and your gallbladder releases after a meal. Its bile salts work like a natural detergent, breaking fat into tiny droplets so lipase can reach it. Ox bile supplies these bile salts, pairing naturally with the lipase in the formula to support fat digestion.
The blend also includes cellulase, which breaks down cellulose in plant foods; inulin, a prebiotic fiber that feeds gut bacteria; rutin, a plant flavonoid; and lysozyme and thymus substance, traditional ingredients in glandular-style formulas.
According to the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS), zinc is required for the activity of hundreds of enzymes and plays a role in immune function, protein and DNA synthesis, wound healing, and cell growth. Each capsule provides 4 mg of zinc as zinc gluconate, so three capsules a day provide 12 mg, close to the adult RDA of 8 mg for women and 11 mg for men and well below the 40 mg upper limit. Oysters, meat, and seafood are excellent food sources.
CHF #17 is designed for broad coverage at mealtime: proteases, bromelain, and papain for protein; amylase for starch; lipase and ox bile for fat; lactase for dairy; and cellulase for plant fiber. Taking one capsule after each meal puts all of these enzymes to work alongside your own.
Who might enjoy it: adults who sometimes feel overly full or gassy after large or rich meals, and people who find dairy harder to digest.
CHF #17 is a dietary supplement, not a substitute for prescription pancreatic enzymes, which are dosed by a doctor. Please check with your clinician first if you:
The label suggests one capsule after each meal.
Proteases, bromelain, and papain help break down protein; amylase breaks down starch; lipase and ox bile help with fat; lactase breaks down milk sugar; and cellulase breaks down plant fiber.
It contains lactase, the enzyme that digests lactose. MedlinePlus says lactase pills or drops usually help people who have trouble digesting lactose.
No. It contains animal-derived ingredients, including pancreatin, trypsin, ox bile, and thymus substance.
Add CHF #17 Digest-Zyme to your cart or view the full product page and label.
This article is for general education only. It is not medical advice, and neither this article nor the product it discusses is meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Statements about dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or another qualified health professional before starting any supplement, especially if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, take prescription or over-the-counter medicines, or have a medical condition.
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