Q: What enzymes would you recommend for gastric bypass surgery?

A: The proper digestive enzymes for an individual who has undergone gastric bypass are largely dependent on what kind of foods he or she eats or craves. There are enzyme formulations that specifically focus on protein, sugar/starch, fat and carbohydrates. A good choice is a broad-spectrum digestive enzyme that will help the body properly digest all components of a typical diet.

Because these people will consume a smaller amount of food than before the surgery, they may not need the higher activity levels found in some enzyme supplements. Lower potency digestive enzymes are available in both consumer and practitioner formulations.

Following gastric bypass surgery, it might be important to take a good probiotic supplement to re-establish a good flora balance in the gut. Antibiotics used after surgery can upset this balance. A probiotic can aid digestion and contribute to immune system maintenance.

Dan Kaur Weamer, MS, CN

*The technical services division of Enzymes, Inc., received this question from one of its customers. To fit this blog, the question was modified from its original version. The response from clinical nutritionist Dan Kaur Weamer also has been modified.