What Is Advanced Digestive Enzymes?

Advanced Digestive Enzymes by Thorne (formerly known as Bio-Gest) is a comprehensive digestive support formula combining multiple classes of enzymes — proteases for protein breakdown, amylase for carbohydrates, and lipase for fats — alongside betaine HCl to support healthy gastric acid levels. This multi-enzyme approach addresses the full spectrum of digestive needs rather than targeting a single food category. Many adults experience diminished digestive enzyme and stomach acid production due to aging, stress, poor diet, or chronic medication use, leading to bloating, gas, poor nutrient absorption, and food sensitivities. Advanced Digestive Enzymes is designed to restore comprehensive digestive capacity.

Key Benefits

Supports thorough breakdown of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats for optimal nutrient absorption and reduced digestive residue
Helps relieve bloating, gas, and abdominal discomfort following meals
Betaine HCl supports healthy stomach acid production, essential for protein digestion and mineral absorption
Promotes the complete digestion necessary to reduce undigested food particles that can trigger gut immune responses
Supports nutrient bioavailability from food and other supplements by optimizing the digestive environment
May help support a healthy intestinal environment by reducing fermentation of incompletely digested food

Who Should Take This?

Advanced Digestive Enzymes is particularly well suited for adults over 40 whose natural enzyme and stomach acid production has begun to decline, individuals dealing with frequent bloating, gas, heaviness, or discomfort after meals, patients with known low stomach acid (hypochlorhydria), those dealing with food sensitivities who may benefit from more complete digestion, individuals taking proton pump inhibitors who need digestive support, and anyone who has undergone gut-compromising illness, antibiotic courses, or surgery. Our doctors frequently recommend digestive enzymes as part of gut restoration protocols.

How to Use

Serving size: Take 1–2 capsules at the beginning of each meal
Timing: Take just before or at the very start of a meal — taking enzymes after a meal significantly reduces their effectiveness
Duration: Can be used as needed with large or difficult meals, or consistently with all meals for patients with ongoing digestive compromise
Stacking: Works synergistically with FloraMend Prime Probiotic to address both enzyme activity and microbiome balance, GI Relief for patients with concurrent gut lining irritation, and NAC 500mg for patients on a comprehensive gut and detox protocol

Our Doctors’ Take

Our doctors view digestive enzyme insufficiency as a remarkably common and frequently overlooked root cause of a wide range of complaints — from bloating and fatigue to nutrient deficiencies and food sensitivities. The inclusion of betaine HCl is an important differentiator; many patients actually suffer from low stomach acid rather than excess acid, and supporting healthy gastric acid levels is essential for complete protein digestion and mineral absorption. For patients coming to us with chronic fatigue or inflammatory conditions, addressing digestive capacity is often one of the first nutritional steps we recommend.*

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.