Over-the-counter (OTC) digestive enzymes may influence cognitive outcomes indirectly through their effects on gut health, which is increasingly recognized as a critical factor in brain function. The gut and brain communicate bidirectionally via the gut–brain axis, a complex network involving neural, immune, and metabolic pathways. Digestive enzymes help break down food in the gastrointestinal tract, potentially improving nutrient absorption and gut microbial balance, which in turn can affect brain health and cognition.
The gut microbiota produces various metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) like butyrate, which have neuroprotective and cognitive-enhancing properties. These SCFAs can modulate gene expression in the brain through epigenetic mechanisms, supporting neuronal survival, synaptic plasticity, and memory formation. By aiding digestion and promoting a healthy gut environment, OTC digestive enzymes might help maintain or restore a balanced microbiome that produces beneficial metabolites influencing brain function.
Moreover, the gut microbiota synthesizes or modulates neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, acetylcholine, GABA, and norepinephrine, all of which play essential roles in mood regulation, cognition, and memory. Improved digestion and nutrient availability facilitated by digestive enzymes could support these microbial activities, indirectly impacting neurotransmitter levels and cognitive outcomes.
Another pathway involves the regulation of histamine, a neurotransmitter linked to cognitive functions and mental health. Histamine levels are controlled by enzymes in the gut and brain, and digestive enzymes might influence histamine metabolism by improving gut barrier integrity and reducing inflammation. This could help prevent excessive histamine accumulation, which is associated with brain fog, anxiety, and other cognitive disturbances.
Bile acids, produced and modified by gut microbes, also affect cognitive function. Altered bile acid profiles have been linked to neurodegenerative diseases and cognitive decline. By supporting digestion and microbial balance, digestive enzymes may help maintain healthier bile acid metabolism, potentially influencing brain health.
While direct clinical evidence linking OTC digestive enzymes to improved cognitive outcomes is limited, the mechanistic connections between gut health, microbial metabolites, neurotransmitter production, and brain function provide a plausible basis for such effects. Digestive enzymes may contribute to cognitive health by optimizing digestion, supporting a balanced microbiome, reducing gut inflammation, and enhancing the production of neuroactive compounds.
In essence, OTC digestive enzymes could play a supportive role in cognitive function by fostering a healthier gut environment, which is a key player in the gut–brain axis. Howeve
