There are a few basic guidelines for taking digestive enzymes:

Match enzymes with the type of food being eaten.
Dose according to the amount of food eaten.  
Give enzymes at the beginning of each meal.

The idea is to get the food broken down in the stomach - before it moves out of the stomach and into the intestine.  If you forget until the end of the meal, go ahead and give the enzymes then, though it's preferable to do so earlier in the meal.  Wait several days for adjustments to an enzyme product before adding other enzymes or supplements so you can better judge what is effective. 

For some children, improperly broken down proteins in particular foods, such as wheat, dairy and soy may be an issue.  Breaking down these proteins with a combination of proteases (enzymes that break down proteins) and another enzyme called DPP IV (breaks down casomorphin in dairy) has been helpful for many children.  Peptizyde or AFP are products with a combination of these enzymes.  For more specific information about products, visit the Houston Nutraceuticals (HNI) website.  Children may also benefit from increased breakdown of carbohydrates and fats which Zyme Prime and No-Fenol can be helpful for. 

Most results begin within one month; two months at the most.  See the More Enzyme Info page for additional resources on digestive enzymes or read the Education section of the HNI site. 

Please address all health concerns with your doctor. 

Questions parents often ask:

1.  What are these enzymes for?
2.  Where do I get the enzymes?
3.  Which enzymes does your child take?
4.  Which one should I start with?
5.  What is the dose?
6.  What are the side effects?
7.  Can I mix the enzymes in food?
8.  Do the enzymes lose potency after being mixed in a drink?
9.  What do you mix the enzymes in?
10. Is it okay to give enzymes on an empty stomach?
11. Do I need to give the enzymes at every meal?
12. Do you take the enzymes yourself?
13. How long has your son been taking the enzymes and is he still off the GFCF diet?
14. Can I give enzymes with medications?
15. How do you handle enzymes at school?
16. Is it okay to give enzymes to a very young child?
17. What is the difference between the original formulas and the newer formulas?
18. Should I use Peptizyde or AFP-Peptizyde?
19. Can I take my child off the gfcf diet with enzymes?
20. Do you need a prescription for the enzymes?
21. Do the enzymes have fungus/mold in them?
22. How did you find out about enzymes?

1.  What are these enzymes for?
There are two types of enzymes, metabolic and digestive enzymes.  The enzymes discussed here are digestive enzymes, for breaking down foods.   Digestive enzymes have been known to help with  a variety of symptoms, but they are primarily for digestion.  In some children, digestive enzymes have helped with digestion and have affected some of the behaviors associated with improperly digested foods.  Parents have reported improvements with stools as well as behaviors.  Behaviors have included attention, socialization, problem-solving, temperament and energy level.

2. Where do I get the enzymes?
My son takes enzymes from Houston Nutraceuticals, Inc. (HNI). 

3. Which enzymes does your child take?
He takes Peptizyde (or AFP), HN-Zyme Prime, and No-fenol.  Individuals' needs vary and some may not need all three products, or may do better with a different formula.  I also sometimes give additional bromelain.

4.  Which one should I start with?
Choose the enzymes according to what foods you want to address and how you want to support digestion.

• For addressing the peptide problem in some children: Peptizyde or its less-odor version, AFP.  Peptizyde or AFP may be an alternative to the GFCF diet.

• For breaking down fats, starches and carbohydrates, lactose intolerance, gas, bloating and general digestion of all foods: HN-Zyme Prime (or Zyme Prime).

• For digestion of phenolic fruits and vegetables: No-Fenol. 
  

5.  What is the dose?
It depends upon the amount of food eaten, but generally, one to two capsules of each enzyme per meal.  The exception may be No-Fenol, which many parents find they can give less of per dose and sometimes fewer doses per day.  My son usually takes one Peptizyde (or AFP Peptizyde), two HN-Zyme Prime (or Zyme Prime) and a half capsule No-Fenol per meal.  With snacks, such as a handful of pretzels, I may only give a half capsule of Peptizyde.  If stools get loose, increasing HN-Zyme Prime and/or decreasing No-Fenol may help.  Start low and slow with dosing of enzymes, working up gradually as directed in the dosing sheet that comes with the product.  There is no known toxic limit to enzymes.  Contact the manufacturer with dosing questions.

6.  What are the side effects?
There are no known side effects, although some children may experience what some refer to as a "peptide withdrawal".  For up to a few weeks on Peptizyde or AFP Peptizyde, children going through this "withdrawal" syndrome may be more hyperactive and sensitive to their surroundings.  You can reduce the dose and build up more gradually if experiencing this.

7.  Can I mix the enzymes in food?
Yes, as long as the food is not so hot that it destroys the enzymes.  If the food is cool enough to put in your mouth, it's cool enough for enzymes.  See my mixing enzymes page for more information.

8.  Do the enzymes lose potency after being mixed in a drink?
The colder you keep the drink, the better.  You shouldn't see too much loss of potency until after four hours or so in a cold drink.  After that general time frame, you might want to give another dose because the enzymes' activity gradually decreases over time. 

9.  What do you mix the enzymes in?
We use a small amount of liquid, usually clear (dye-free) Wyler's drink mix.  My son drinks it using a straw. 

10. Is it okay to give enzymes on an empty stomach?
There should be no danger if you give a dose of enzymes and your child does not eat.

11.  Do I need to give the enzymes at every meal?
It may be helpful to give enzymes with every meal in order to break down all foods.  My son's good results came with giving enzymes with all meals and snacks.

12.  Do you take enzymes yourself?
Yes, enzymes are great for general digestion. 

13.  How long has your son been taking enzymes and is he still off the GFCF diet?
My son has been taking enzymes consistenly since April 2001 and has remained off the GFCF diet since that time.

14.  Can I give enzymes with medications?
Enzymes are considered safe to give with medications, with the possible exception of some time-released medications.  You may not be able to take enzyme products containing cellulase with  time-released medications containing cellulose.  Cellulase (in some HNI products) breaks down cellulose and might interfere with the timing mechanism.  Contact the  manufacturer of the medication for advice.

15.  How do you handle enzymes at school?
The school nurse administers the enzymes with lunch and snacks per an order from the pediatrician.  Professionals may be more likely to cooperate if you explain that enzymes may help your child's digestion. 

16. Is it okay to give enzymes to a very young child?
Enzymes are considered safe, but you may want to discuss it with your doctor.

17.  What is the difference between the original formulas and the newer formulas?
The original Peptizyde and HN-Zyme Prime formulas included some fruit-based enzymes and had rice filler.  Then AFP came along as an alternative to Peptizyde for proteins and as an alternative to the GFCF diet.  AFP does not taste so strong like the Peptizyde.  Over time, some parents wanted an alternative filler from rice bran for children following the Specific Carbohydrate Diet.  So, another line of enzymes was added with the rice bran removed and MCC added.  Also, Zyme Prime was offered in a no-fruit enzyme version.

18.  Should I use Peptizyde or AFP-Peptizyde?
They are interchangeable.  Peptizyde is the original formula as a high-potency product for proteins and specifically for digesting gluten, casein and soy.  Either Peptizyde or AFP-Peptizyde may be an alternative to the GFCF diet.

19.  Can I take my child off the gfcf diet with enzymes?
Many have done so as we have; the results are individual.

20.  Do you need a prescription for the enzymes?
No, because these enzymes are a dietary supplement.  Your child's school may require a doctor's order to instruct them to give enzymes.

21.  Do the enzymes have fungus/mold in them?
The enzymes are purified from a fungus, there are no fungal spores in them.  See the Houston Nutraceuticals site for more information.

22.  How did you find out about enzymes?
I first read about enzymes on the internet while researching how diet can affect children's behavior.  In 2001, my parent support group invited Dr. Houston as a featured speaker.  My husband and I learned about Dr. Houston's new products and his extensive background as an enzyme researcher and started our son on the enzymes.  I've yet to find another company with the same quality and type of products, education, experience, expertise, service, and integrity as HNI.  Dr. Houston will speak to any parent group at no cost.