What Is Lipase? The Enzyme That Digests Fat

Lipase is a digestive enzyme that breaks down the fat in your food into smaller molecules your body can absorb (1,2). In your body, lipase works in the small intestine, where it splits fats into fatty acids and glycerol. Your pancreas makes it and delivers it there (1,2).

This page is part of our guide to digestive enzymes. Below you will learn what lipase is, what it does, which foods it works on, and where you find it in our products.

written and reviewed by Anouk Martini (registered dietician)

Knowledge bank

In short

Lipase is a digestive enzyme that breaks down the fat you eat (1,2).
Your pancreas makes lipase and sends it to your small intestine (1,2).
Bile from your liver helps digest fat alongside lipase (1).
Lipase splits fat into fatty acids and glycerol, which your body can absorb (1).
Lipase is in our products Lipase Mix and Enzymix.

What is lipase?

Enzymes are substances that speed up chemical reactions in your body. Lipase is the enzyme that speeds up the breakdown of fats. Your digestive system has to break nutrients into parts small enough for your body to absorb, and fats break into fatty acids and glycerol (1). The lipase from your pancreas is essential for digesting and absorbing the fat you eat (2).

Lipase is also used in supplements. The lipase in our products is vegan.

What does lipase do in the body?

Lipase does its work in three steps:

Bile prepares the fat. Your liver makes bile, and your gallbladder stores it between meals. Bile helps digest fats (1). It breaks fat into small droplets, a bit like dish soap on a greasy pan.
Lipase splits the fat. Your pancreas sends a digestive juice with enzymes to your small intestine. Lipase breaks the fat down into fatty acids and glycerol (1,2).
Your body absorbs the pieces. Glycerol travels in your blood. Fatty acids and some vitamins are taken up by your lymphatic system (1).

Which foods does lipase work on?

Lipase works on the fat in your food. Foods that contain a lot of fat include:

Oils and butter
Full-fat dairy and cheese
Fatty fish and meat
Nuts and avocado
Fried food, chocolate, and pastries

The size and type of a meal also play a role in how digestion goes.

When might extra lipase help?

Your body makes its own lipase, so most people never have to think about it. Age, diet, lifestyle, and stress can all affect how well digestion works, and so do the size and type of a meal. Some people take a lipase supplement with richer meals, such as full-fat dairy, fatty fish, fried food, or high-fat and ketogenic-style meals. Lipase Mix is made for those meals: it supports the breakdown of fats during digestion.*

Not sure whether a supplement fits you? Talk to a doctor or dietitian.

Where is lipase in our products?

Lipase is in two Intoleran products:

Lipase Mix is a fast-acting digestive enzyme formula with lipase as its primary enzyme, specifically developed to support the breakdown of fats during digestion.* It contains lipase (15,000 FIP), amylase (15,000 DU), and protease (75,000 HUT). The capsules can be opened and mixed with food, so Lipase Mix suits children ages 2 and up. It is vegan and free from gluten and soy.
Enzymix is a blend of nine digestive enzymes that support the breakdown of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, lactose, and plant fibers.* It contains lipase (3,500 FIP), which supports the breakdown of fats found in foods such as oils, butter, cheese, meat, and nuts.* Enzymix is suitable for vegetarians and vegans and free of gluten and soy.

*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.

Not sure which enzyme you need?

Digestive enzymes each have their own job. Answer a few questions in our supplement advisor and see which products fit your situation. You can also ask our dietitians a question.

When should you talk to a doctor or dietitian?

Do your symptoms persist, are you losing weight without trying, or are you cutting out more and more foods? Talk to your doctor or a dietitian. A supplement does not replace medical advice.

Fat is only one part of a meal. Protease helps break down protein. See all of our digestive enzymes.

Sources

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Your digestive system & how it works [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; last reviewed 2017 Dec. Available from: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/digestive-system-how-it-works
Zhu G, Fang Q, Zhu F, Huang D, Yang C. Structure and function of pancreatic lipase-related protein 2 and its relationship with pathological states. Front Genet. 2021;12:693538. doi:10.3389/fgene.2021.693538