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Probiotics vs. Digestive Enzymes: What's the difference?

At Common Sense Supplements, we very often we get asked, “What is the difference between Probiotics like Belly Buddies and Digestive Enzymes?

While both these products work in the realm of digestion and absorption, they each have their own separate roles.


Let’s dive into each of these and see how they work together to help the body perform optimally:

Digestive enzymes: Digestive enzymes are used to break down the food you have just eaten into strains of molecules your body can then absorb. These enzymes are crucial in making sure all the food you are eating can actually be absorbed by the body. Their job is to pull apart the food and rearrange it into what will be absorbed and what will become waste.

Probiotics: Probiotics or the “good bacteria” are heavily concentrated in the intestines because this is where the absorption of nutrients will take place. A properly functioning intestine system is crucial in getting the most out of the good food you are eating. If all the super healthy food you are eating isn’t fully absorbed by the body, it is being wasted. Speaking of waste, a healthy intestine will also eliminate waste from the body much better. Still need more convincing on the benefits of probiotics?

70% of the immune system is located in the intestines. Think of how important it is for your intestines to be performing at their very best.



So now we have gone over the digestive enzymes and probiotics separately, but how can they work together?

You can look at digestion like an assembly line. The food enters the body and immediately starts to be broken down by the saliva. This continues when the food enters the stomach. The digestive enzymes are breaking the food down to its building blocks and organizing those blocks for the intestines. These blocks then move along the line to the intestine to be absorbed or excreted. Even though these blocks have been sorted before, if the line is performing poorly, some will be excreted when they should have been absorbed. This is where the probiotics come in. They make sure this part of the line is working at an optimal level.

Probiotics and digestive enzymes are both very important to digestion and absorption of nutrients in the body. To learn more about our products, please follow the link below.


BONUS: Use the Promocode MYPATH at checkout for free shipping!


Facebook page: @drderrickdesilva


ABOUT My Wellness by Nature Board Member, Derrick DeSilva, Jr. MD


Areas of Expertise: Internal medicine, functional medicine

As a healer and a physician, I have always believed to extend my knowledge and intentions into the universal care of the patient. One of my favorite expressions is "The best of both worlds." The unity of the worlds of medicine from both the East and the West. Eastern medicine has existed for 5000 years while Western medicine although newborn has a great deal to offer.


The essential key is to unite these two cultures and incorporate them in a safe and effective manner for the diagnosis and healing process of the patient. The primary words to this are safe and effective. Each patient is different and has a unique set of needs - in this case, one size does not fit all. As I strive to know my patients and access their individual health concerns and needs, a cooperative plan of care will be formulated. Ideally, each individual must be encouraged to be responsible for one's health. Once this concept is embraced, I will be able to assist each one in their road to better health.


Derrick M. DeSilva Jr., M.D. is a practicing Internist at the Raritan Bay Medical Center in Perth Amboy, NJ.


He is on the teaching faculty at JFK Medical Center in Edison, NJ, Derrick DeSilva Jr., M.D. has lectured on various topics in medicine, nationally and internationally, and is a member of the following associations:

  • The American Medical Association

  • The Society of Internal Medicine

  • Past President of the American Nutraceutical Association

  • Chairman of Age Management Medicine Conference

Derrick DeSilva Jr., M.D. has his own radio talk show called "Ask the Doctor" , which airs on WCTC Radio in New Jersey (1450 AM),as well as his own television show, "To Your Health", which airs on News 12 New Jersey. He has also authored and published the following books:

  • Coping with Lyme Disease - published by Henry Holt, 1993

  • Ask the Doctor - published by Interweave Press, 1997

Besides radio, his national television exposure has been attained in hosting medical segments on CNN and appearing as a guest on numerous national television programs, including ABC Night Line. Derrick DeSilva Jr., M.D. has been instrumental in the formulation of over 100 different natural products and has been honored with the following recognition:

  • Named by New York Magazine (June 2001) as One of the Best Doctors in New York Metro Area

  • Named by New Jersey Monthly Magazine (Nov. 2001) as One of The Best Doctors in New Jersey

  • Beginning in November 1996 through August 2008, was named by Castle Connolly publishing as one of the best Doctor's in the NY Metropolitan area.



1 Comment


Sarah Harron
Sarah Harron
Jun 13, 2020

This was really good info for me. I have always wondered what the difference was and kind of had an idea so i just took both. I am glad I know now! It is a lot easier to shop for nutraceuticals when you know what you are looking at and what you actually need!!

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