No known drug interactions for the matched ingredients — not a guarantee none exist. Based on 3 of 7 ingredients. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Formula 21 Sugar Digest Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by NESS Nutritional Enzyme Support System

Capsule Category: Non-nutrient/non-botanical
No known interaction
The interaction bottom line No known interaction

Formula 21 Sugar Digest is a dietary supplement by NESS Nutritional Enzyme Support System with 7 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for digestion and bloating, muscle soreness and exercise recovery, inflammation and swelling.We don’t currently list a known drug interaction for its mapped ingredients — but that doesn’t guarantee none exist, so always confirm with your pharmacist.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Formula 21 Sugar Digest by NESS Nutritional Enzyme Support System

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

What’s inside

Low disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Low

Most active ingredients don't disclose an individual amount — you can't tell how much of each you're getting.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 0 of its 7 active ingredients.
  • “Proprietary Enzyme Blend” is a proprietary blend — the label gives one combined amount (184 mg) without saying how much of each component you get.

This product contains 7 active digestive enzymes. Amylase and diastase help break down starches; protease breaks down proteins; lipase breaks down fats; lactase breaks down lactose (milk sugar); cellulase breaks down fiber; and invertase breaks down sucrose (table sugar).

Together they're meant to ease the burden on your digestive system when processing carbohydrates and sugars. The capsule also contains plant fiber and water as inactive ingredients.

Does it work?

Strong evidence
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Strong

Clinical evidence supports at least one of this product's ingredients for its stated purpose.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: optimize digestion of high-sugar diets.
  • We looked for evidence on: Lactose intolerance, Postprandial glycemia, Glucose intolerance, Carbohydrate malabsorption.
  • The strongest evidence on file: Lactase is rated "Effective" for Lactose intolerance (Natural Medicines).

The evidence on these enzymes is mixed. Lactase is effective for lactose intolerance — that one's well established.

For protease and lipase, the data we hold shows insufficient evidence to rate their effectiveness for inflammatory bowel disease or general indigestion. For the other enzymes in this formula, we have no effectiveness ratings on file.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Proteolytic Enzymes (proteases) Lipase Lactase

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 3 of the 3 matched ingredients.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 3 of 3.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 3 of 3.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Protease, lipase, and lactase are generally well tolerated by adults, though digestive upset can happen with any of them. Rarely, people exposed to airborne protease (usually in occupational settings like laundry facilities) have reported allergic reactions like rhinitis or asthma; one case of lactase-induced contact dermatitis and nasal allergy has been reported.

Pregnancy safety data is limited across all three checked ingredients — lipase and protease have not been adequately studied in pregnancy, while lactase is rated likely safe but should still be discussed with your doctor before regular use. Breastfeeding data is also limited; check with your doctor or pharmacist first.

Lipase carries a caution for people with serious digestive conditions, who should use it only under medical guidance.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Proteolytic Enzymes (proteases) Lipase Lactase

Meds to double-check

No known interactions
Known Interaction Concern · database check
No known interactions

No medication interactions are currently documented for the matched ingredients — that isn't a guarantee none exist.

Why this rating?
  • None of the 3 matched ingredients has a documented medication interaction on file.

No interactions are documented in our data for the ingredients we could check. We could not verify amylase, cellulase, invertase, or diastase against medication databases, so if you take any prescriptions, run them through the checker on this page before you start.

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFormula with limited ingredient disclosure with clinical evidence supporting its stated purpose. No medication interactions are currently documented, and safety information is well characterized.

This formula could work well for you if you're looking to support carbohydrate and sugar digestion, especially if you have lactose intolerance — lactase is proven for that. The other enzymes lack strong evidence, so manage expectations.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before starting, particularly if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or have a serious digestive condition.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 3 of 7 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated May 22, 2020.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Formula 21 Sugar Digest, straight from the product label.

Brand NESS Nutritional Enzyme Support System
Barcode (UPC) 707636033135
Net contents 180 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD May 22, 2020
DSLD ID 221311
Product type Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Vegetarian, Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Sugar Free
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Formula 21 Sugar Digest by NESS Nutritional Enzyme Support System, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
2 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
2 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
Servings per container
90
UPC/BARCODE
707636033135
IngredientAmount% DV
Amylase0 NP--
Protease0 NP--
Lipase0 NP--
Lactase0 NP--
Cellulase0 NP--
Invertase0 NP--
Diastase0 NP--
Proprietary Enzyme Blend184 mg--

Other ingredients: Plant Fiber, Water

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
Formulation

Formulated exclusively for healthcare professionals NESS Sugar Digest is uniquely formulated to optimize the digestion of high-sugar diets, minimizing sugar intolerance.

Non-GMO

Vegetarian

GMP compliant

Contains No: Aspartame, sugar, salt, gluten, artificial colors or flavors, dairy products, wheat, soy, yeast or corn proteins.

Precautions

Caution: If you are pregnant, nursing, have a serious medical condition, or take any medications, consult your physician before use.

Use only if tamper evident seal is unbroken.

Keep out of reach of children.

Storage

Store tightly closed in a cool, dry place.

FDA Disclaimer Statement

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

FDA Statement of Identity

Enzyme Supplement

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Recommended Use: Take two (2) capsules at the beginning of each meal, or as directed by your healthcare professional.

See for yourself

Formula 21 Sugar Digest by NESS Nutritional Enzyme Support System label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Formula 21 Sugar Digest by NESS Nutritional Enzyme Support System

These are the 7 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size2 Vegetarian Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container90 Amounts shown are per serving.

Most supplement products combine several ingredients, and a medication can interact with the product through any one of them. Each ingredient below shows whether it has known drug interactions.

Proprietary Enzyme Blend

184 mg per serving

Other (inactive) ingredients: Plant Fiber, Water. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Formula 21 Sugar Digest by NESS Nutritional Enzyme Support System Drug Interactions

We don’t currently list any known drug interactions for the mapped ingredients in Formula 21 Sugar Digest. This doesn’t guarantee none exist — always confirm with your pharmacist before combining a supplement with your medications.

The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Formula 21 Sugar Digest, from the product label.

NESS Nutritional Enzyme Support System

See all NESS Nutritional Enzyme Support System products
Name
Enzymes Inc.
City
Kansas City
State
MO
ZipCode
64153
Phone Number
1-800-637-7893
Web Address
www.nessenzymes.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Formula 21 Sugar Digest by NESS Nutritional Enzyme Support System: Common Questions

Does Formula 21 Sugar Digest by NESS Nutritional Enzyme Support System interact with any medications?
We do not currently list a known interaction for the mapped ingredients in Formula 21 Sugar Digest. This does not guarantee none exist, so confirm with your pharmacist.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Formula 21 Sugar Digest contains 7 active ingredients, and an interaction can come from any of them. We check every ingredient, combine the results into one list per medication, and show which ingredient and mechanism is responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Is this safe to take while pregnant?
Safety data is limited. Lactase is rated likely safe, but protease and lipase have not been well studied in pregnancy. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before using this product regularly during pregnancy — they can weigh your individual situation.
Can I take this while breastfeeding?
Safety data is limited for all three checked enzymes — protease, lipase, and lactase. Lipase and protease have little data; lactase acts only in your gut but still needs discussion first. Check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting.
Does this actually help with digestion?
Lactase is proven effective for lactose intolerance. Protease and lipase lack reliable evidence for indigestion or inflammatory bowel disease. The other enzymes in the blend have no effectiveness ratings on file.
What are these enzymes supposed to do?
They're designed to break down different parts of food: amylase and diastase handle starches, protease tackles proteins, lipase breaks down fats, lactase handles milk sugar, cellulase breaks down fiber, and invertase breaks down table sugar.
Can I take this if I have a digestive condition?
Lipase carries a caution for people with serious digestive conditions — use only under medical guidance if that's you. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether this product fits your specific situation.
What side effects might I experience?
These enzymes are generally well tolerated, but digestive upset can occur. Rarely, occupational exposure to airborne protease has caused allergic reactions; one case of lactase-related contact dermatitis and nasal allergy has been reported. Most people using it as directed shouldn't have problems.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Not sure if Formula 21 Sugar Digest is safe with your meds?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

Ask a pharmacist

Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Formula 21 Sugar Digest label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Formula 21 Sugar Digest's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 5 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Proteolytic Enzymes (proteases) 3 references
  1. Weeks JA, Harper RA, Simon RA, Burdick JD. Assessment of sensitization risk of a laundry pre-spotter containing protease. Cutan Ocul Toxicol. 2011;30(4):272-9. PubMed
  2. Marquès LI, Lara S, Abós T, Bartolomé B. Occupational rhinitis due to pepsin. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol. 2006;16(2):136-7. DOI
  3. Cartier A, Malo JL, Pineau L, Dolovich J. Occupational asthma due to pepsin. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1984;73(5 Pt 1):574-7. PubMed

See these in context on the Proteolytic Enzymes (proteases) monograph →

Lipase 1 reference
  1. Casper C, Hascoet JM, Ertl T, et al. Recombinant bile salt-stimulated lipase in preterm infant feeding: A randomized phase 3 study. PLoS One. 2016;11(5):e0156071. PubMed

See these in context on the Lipase monograph →

Lactase 1 reference
  1. Laukkanen A, Ruoppi P, Remes S, Koistinen T, Mäkinen-Kiljunen S. Lactase-induced occupational protein contact dermatitis and allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. Contact Dermatitis. 2007;57(2):89-93. PubMed

See these in context on the Lactase monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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