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What Does Aristozyme Do? A Guide to the Digestive Enzyme

3 min read

Aristozyme is a digestive aid that contains two primary enzymes: Fungal Diastase and Pepsin. So, what does Aristozyme do? It helps break down complex carbohydrates and proteins to relieve symptoms of indigestion like gas, bloating, and stomach discomfort.

Quick Summary

Aristozyme is a digestive enzyme supplement used to treat indigestion, gas, bloating, and poor appetite. It contains Fungal Diastase and Pepsin to break down carbohydrates and proteins.

Key Points

  • Primary Function: Aristozyme is a digestive aid that helps treat indigestion, gas, bloating, and abdominal discomfort.

  • Key Ingredients: It contains two main enzymes: Fungal Diastase (for breaking down carbohydrates) and Pepsin (for breaking down proteins).

  • Mechanism of Action: Diastase breaks complex starches into simple sugars, while Pepsin breaks large protein molecules into smaller amino acids.

  • Common Uses: It is prescribed for dyspepsia, flatulence, heartburn, stomach fullness, and as an appetite stimulant.

  • Forms Available: Aristozyme comes in various forms, including liquid syrup, capsules, and pediatric drops.

  • Administration: It is typically taken after meals to maximize its effectiveness in digesting food.

  • Side Effects: While generally safe, potential side effects can include nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and skin rashes.

  • Precautions: Patients with pancreatitis, diabetes, or allergies to its components should consult a doctor before use.

In This Article

Understanding Aristozyme and Its Role in Digestion

Aristozyme is a widely used digestive enzyme preparation designed to support and improve the body's natural digestive processes. It is primarily prescribed to treat digestive disorders and alleviate symptoms associated with indigestion, such as epigastric distress (upper abdominal pain), heartburn, bloating, flatulence (gas), and eructation (burping). It can also be used as an appetite stimulant for individuals with a poor appetite or those recovering from illness. Aristozyme is available in various forms, including liquid, capsules, tablets, and drops for pediatric use.

The Core Components: How Do the Enzymes Work?

The efficacy of Aristozyme comes from its two main active ingredients: Fungal Diastase and Pepsin. These enzymes work synergistically to break down complex food components into simpler, more easily absorbable forms.

  • Fungal Diastase: This is a starch-hydrolyzing, or amylolytic, enzyme, often derived from Aspergillus oryzae. Its primary function is to break down complex carbohydrates (polysaccharides), such as starch, into simpler sugars like maltose. This action facilitates the digestion of starchy foods and helps relieve feelings of stomach fullness and indigestion that can occur when carbohydrates are not properly broken down.

  • Pepsin: Pepsin is a crucial proteolytic (protein-digesting) enzyme naturally found in the stomach. In Aristozyme, it supplements the body's own supply. Pepsin works by breaking down large protein molecules from foods like meat and dairy into smaller units called peptides and amino acids. This process is essential for proper protein absorption and nutrient utilization.

Together, these enzymes promote the more complete digestion of both carbohydrates and proteins, helping to ensure that the body can absorb essential nutrients from food while reducing digestive discomfort.

Common Uses and Indications

Healthcare providers typically recommend Aristozyme for a range of digestive issues. Its primary uses include:

  • General Indigestion (Dyspepsia): For symptoms like stomach pain, fullness, and discomfort after eating.
  • Gastric Problems: To alleviate issues like heartburn and acid indigestion.
  • Flatulence and Bloating: By breaking down food more efficiently, it helps reduce the gas formation that leads to bloating and discomfort.
  • Appetite Stimulation: It may be prescribed to help increase hunger in those with poor appetite.
  • Pancreatic Insufficiency: In some cases, it can be used to supplement the body's own digestive enzymes when the pancreas is unable to produce enough of them.

Administration and Usage

It is essential to take Aristozyme as directed by a healthcare professional. The usage depends on the form of the medication (syrup, capsule, or drops) and the individual's age and condition. Generally, it is recommended to be taken immediately after meals to allow the enzymes to mix with food for optimal effect. For liquid preparations, a measuring cup should be used to ensure an accurate amount is taken. The appropriate amount and frequency of use should always be determined by a healthcare provider.

Potential Side Effects and Precautions

Aristozyme is generally considered safe and is well-tolerated when taken as prescribed. However, some individuals may experience side effects, which are usually mild and temporary. Common side effects can include:

  • Abdominal pain or upset stomach
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation
  • Skin rash

In rare cases, more severe side effects like difficulty breathing or swelling of the face, tongue, or throat can occur, which requires immediate medical attention. Patients should inform their doctor about any pre-existing conditions, especially a history of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), kidney or liver problems, or allergies (specifically to pork protein, as Pepsin can be derived from it) before starting the medication. Caution is also advised for diabetic patients, as some syrup formulations may contain sucrose.

Feature Aristozyme Unienzyme
Primary Enzymes Fungal Diastase, Pepsin Fungal Diastase, Papain, Activated Charcoal
Main Function Breaks down carbohydrates and proteins Breaks down carbohydrates and proteins; adsorbs gases
Primary Use Indigestion, stomach fullness, flatulence Indigestion, bloating, gas discomfort
Common Side Effects Nausea, constipation, dark stool, skin rashes Constipation, abdominal pain, mild skin irritation

Conclusion

So, what does Aristozyme do? In essence, it acts as a digestive supplement, providing the enzymes necessary to effectively break down carbohydrates and proteins. This action helps relieve a variety of uncomfortable symptoms associated with indigestion and poor digestive function, such as gas, bloating, and abdominal pain. By promoting more efficient digestion and nutrient absorption, Aristozyme helps maintain overall gut health. However, it is important to use this medication under the guidance of a healthcare professional to ensure it is appropriate for your specific condition and to avoid potential side effects and interactions.


For more information on the physiology of digestive enzymes, you can visit the NCBI StatPearls article on Pepsin.

Frequently Asked Questions

Aristozyme is primarily used as a digestive aid to treat disorders like indigestion, heartburn, gas, bloating, upper abdominal pain, and burping. It is also used to stimulate appetite.

Aristozyme contains two digestive enzymes: Fungal Diastase and Pepsin. Diastase breaks down complex carbohydrates (starch) into simple sugars, and Pepsin breaks down large protein molecules into smaller amino acids, thus promoting digestion.

The main active ingredients in Aristozyme are Fungal Diastase, a starch-digesting enzyme, and Pepsin, a protein-digesting enzyme.

It is generally recommended to take Aristozyme after meals to help the enzymes mix with food and aid in digestion effectively. Always follow your doctor's instructions on usage and timing.

Yes, Aristozyme is available in pediatric drop form and can be given to infants and children, but only under the guidance of a pediatrician who will determine the correct usage based on age and weight.

Common side effects are generally mild and may include abdominal pain, nausea, stomach upset, diarrhea, and skin rash. If these persist or worsen, you should consult your doctor.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women should use Aristozyme only with proper consultation and caution from a doctor, as it is not definitively known if it is excreted in breast milk.

You should inform your doctor about all other medications you are taking, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements, to avoid potential drug interactions. Antacids, for example, can interfere with Aristozyme's effectiveness.

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Medical Disclaimer

This content is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice.