Enzymes Complex (formerly Super Enzymes 800 mg)NOW

It's incredibly unfortunate to hear that you are reacting this way to the Enzyme Complex.

Generally speaking, the oral intake of digestive enzymes is well tolerated. Most adverse effects of digestive enzymes are dose-dependent. It's possible that you are reacting to the bromelain. Oral intake of bromelain can cause stomach discomfort and diarrhoea. It might be that this dosage is too high for you, or you could be having a reaction to the bromelain.

To my knowledge, there is no reason to avoid Betaine during pregnancy, except that, as a precaution, the use of all dietary supplements is discouraged (with the exception of, for instance, multivitamins and fish oil).

What applies to Betaine HCl also applies in principle to other enzyme preparations. From this perspective, you could just as well continue using the Enzyme Complex.

Has a doctor determined the reason why your body is not producing enough stomach acid? Normally, our bodies can produce the right amount of stomach acid and enzymes without much difficulty. What many people describe as "too little stomach acid" is actually the result of hurried and inattentive eating, causing large chunks of food to enter the stomach. A considerable amount of stomach acid is needed to reach the core of those chunks.

In cases of such complaints, it is advisable to 1) not speak while eating, 2) not drink during meals, 3) avoid consuming soup with a main meal, 4) not eat fruit with a main meal, 5) only swallow each bite once it has been thoroughly chewed to a liquid consistency.

It is best to drink half an hour before and/or half an hour after the meal. Soup is best consumed as a snack. Fruit is best eaten in the morning on an empty stomach, about three quarters of an hour before having a substantial breakfast, or at another time of day as a snack.

If you eat calmly and chew attentively, your body will have sufficient time to produce all the necessary enzymes. And if the food has been well chewed (more or less liquid), then a small amount of stomach acid is sufficient to quickly reach the core of all food particles.

Liquids dilute gastric juice. Therefore, it is better not to drink during meals. Many people also use drinking to swallow a bite of food more quickly (for example, to say something in a pleasant conversation), whereas they should actually be chewing for much longer. Sufficient chewing is also beneficial for weight management, as you will experience a feeling of fullness more quickly and thus feel full sooner.

Try experimenting with the above tips for a few weeks and see how it goes. Perhaps you will find that you no longer need the enzyme tablets at all.