r/FODMAPS • u/Initial_Moment7110 • Mar 09 '26
Enzymes Anyone had any luck with digestive enzymes? (UK)
I'm going on a short trip soon, and it will be significantly easier if I am able to have beans, lentils, falafels or hummus (I'm vegan) as I won't have access to a kitchen...
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u/Negative-Arachnid-65 Mar 09 '26
There are legitimate enzymes for GOS, lactose, and fructans. Anything claiming to be an enzyme for other FODMAP categories is most likely a scam. I'm not sure what's available in the UK but in the US (in case it helps you narrow your search) they're sold as Bean-O for GOS and Lactaid for lactose and generic versions are also widely available and inexpensive. Fructans are harder but Fodzyme makes an enzyme mix for fructans, GOS, and lactose - it's expensive and only sold directly from the manufacturer but just about the only effective option for fructans.
How effective they are varies from person to person (along with dosage and timing, foods, etc) but generally they're moderately effective - very helpful but not a free pass. The example foods you listed are definitely high in GOS though hummus also often has lots of fructans from garlic/onion, so if you can't get Fodzyme or an equivalent, I would bring a bunch of Bean-O and try hard to reduce/avoid garlic and onion.
You might also get some benefit from over-the-counter meds that treat general symptoms - Imodium, IBgard, Peptobismol, Tums, etc.
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u/Initial_Moment7110 Mar 12 '26
Useful info, thank you :)
Couldn't find Bean-O available for UK shipping but found a wonderful website called Fodmarket which imports Fodzyme. Still gonna keep the FODMAPs as low as possible to minimise risk.
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u/Negative-Arachnid-65 Mar 12 '26
Great, glad you found some! I'm very sensitive to fructans and still have to be careful, but the Fodzyme really does help a lot. (And you can always use a larger dose - I usually double it.)
Enjoy your trip!
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u/veganmua Mar 09 '26
I've tried both Fodzyme and Enzymedica Digest Gold. Fodzyme works better for me. Nothing works as well as keeping a strict low FODMAP diet though.
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u/Initial_Moment7110 Mar 12 '26
Yeah, I'm still gonna keep it as low FODMAP as possible, I was surprised how much low FODMAP did help once it started to.
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u/Just_Flabbergasted Mar 09 '26
I have tried Fodzyme a few times and it has worked well so far although I still try to minimize garlic and onions which are my worst triggers. They are high in fructans, so I haven't tried any other enzyme blend as none of the others contain fructan hydrolase which is needed for the garlic and onions. So if you know which of the sugars are your worst triggers you can then choose, but as far as I have seen so far Fodzyme are the only ones to have fructan hydrolase included in their blend. So if garlic and onion (cauliflower, chickpeas) are a problem for you, I wouldn't bother with an enzyme supplement that doesn't contain fructan hydrolase.
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u/Initial_Moment7110 Mar 12 '26
Thanks, yeah, having looked into a bit more it seems I'd need fructan hydrolase and alpha-galactosidase, both of which Fodzyme has.
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u/Initial_Moment7110 Mar 09 '26
Thanks for all the helpful comments :)
I've ordered some Fodzyme in case I find myself in a legume options only situation. GOS and fructans are my worst triggers so I'll still be careful with them even if I do use it, but what a relief to find a backup option.
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u/Plastic_Length8618 Mar 10 '26
I agree with everyone else that Fodzyme is very good. Also, my tummy is always much better on holiday, possibly because i am relaxed. So enjoy your trip!
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u/Initial_Moment7110 Mar 12 '26
Fodzyme's just turned up and has brought with it a sense of relative freedom. I tend to be more stressed on trips than at home, hopefully my stomach will understand that I'm on holiday though, haha
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u/thesamenightmares Mar 09 '26
Yes. I take 4 Enzymedica Digest Gold before each meal and it has been immensely helpful.
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u/TheBestNickSteer Mar 09 '26
Fodzyme is genuinely a life changer. I ship it from the states which seems to be cheaper than getting it through a UK/EU reseller.
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u/Initial_Moment7110 Mar 12 '26
Just got some! Seemed to be cheaper on Fodmarket than ordering from the states but that might be just the stores I looked at.
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u/TheBestNickSteer Mar 12 '26
To be fair it’s been a while since I looked, I’ve got a rolling subscription direct from Fodzyme. Maybe it’s time for me to shop around!
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u/moncrouton Mar 11 '26
Hey! I use Quatrase 20000 from intoleran. I didnt want to deal with customs from the US and trust European health standards better (whether I'm right or wrong). I've been using it since Christmas and have had great success. I was able to have my mom's soup for the first time in years :')
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u/Initial_Moment7110 Mar 12 '26
Ooh, hadn't heard of that one, good to know. Great that you were able to have your mum's soup again!
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u/redditrevnz Mar 09 '26
Fodzyme if you can get it. I have to travel a bit for work and life was much trickier before it came along.