Why don't milligrams tell you how strong an enzyme supplement is?
Milligrams describe mass. An activity unit describes a laboratory assay result under specified conditions. Compare units only for the same enzyme and assay method at a clearly stated serving size; a higher number does not establish greater benefit in people.
Quick answer
Common units, and what they measure
- ALU (Acid Lactase Unit) — An acid-lactase activity label used on the Nature’s Way product, which explicitly identifies FCC lactase units. The exact laboratory assay is not reproduced here. Read more →
- GalU (Galactosidase Unit) — A declared alpha-galactosidase activity label used by Beano. This abbreviation alone does not establish a universal FCC-equivalent assay across brands. Read more →
- HUT (Hemoglobin Unit on a Tyrosine basis) — A protease assay using hemoglobin and a tyrosine-based reference. The Paulussen trial describes this assay for its investigational mixture; HUT counts do not establish the same clinical effect for a different mixture. Read more →
- DU (Dextrinizing Units) — An amylase activity abbreviation listed in Nature’s Way’s explanation of assay systems. Confirm the actual method and basis for the product being compared.
- FIP (Fédération Internationale Pharmaceutique units) — FIP is a separate assay-system label mentioned in manufacturer documentation. Do not treat it as interchangeable with FCC or USP solely from the abbreviation.
How to use this when comparing products
- When both mg and activity unit are listed — A declared activity value adds assay information, but a cross-product comparison still requires the same enzyme, method and serving basis.
- When only mg is listed — Mass alone does not establish comparable enzyme activity or clinical benefit; do not infer an activity value from milligrams.
- Price comparison — Cost per activity unit is interpretable only for comparable assays and serving bases, and is not evidence of clinical value.
Sources: USP/FCC — Enzyme Preparations, public Description section (2015); full assay monographs were not accessed; Nature’s Way — label and FAQ on enzyme activity systems, not evidence of clinical efficacy; Paulussen et al. (2024), "Acute Microbial Protease Supplementation Increases Net Postprandial Plasma Amino Acid Concentrations After Pea Protein Ingestion in Healthy Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial" — PubMed 38467279 (Industry-funded (BIO-CAT, Inc.)); Beano — current product directions, ingredients and warnings; not an efficacy trial. Last reviewed: July 29, 2026.