| | | | | Supplier: Swiss Herbal Remedies Ltd. | | Brand: Swiss Herbal Remedies Inc. | | Case Size: 24 | | Bromelain 500 mg
60 tabs | | | Stock #: 024021 | | | Description: The term “proteolytic” is a catch-all term referring to enzymes that digest protein. Supplemental forms can incorporate any of a wide variety of enzymes including Trypsin, Chymotrypsin, Pancreatin, Bromelain, Papain, and a range of fungal proteases. In the body, proteolytic digestive enzymes are produced in the pancreas, but supplemental forms of enzymes may come from fungal or bacterial sources, extraction from the pancreas o livestock animals (trypsin/chymotrypsin) or extraction from plants (such as Papain from the papaya and Bromelain from pineapples). The primary uses of proteolytic enzymes in dietary supplements are as digestive enzymes, anti-inflammatory agents and pain relievers. Claims Speeds recovery from sports and other minor injuries Aids digestion / Reduces flatulence Anti-inflammatory Reduces pain/stiffness of arthritis Theory It is quite logical that proteolytic enzymes would help alleviate a sub-optimal production of the body’s own digestives enzymes (which can occur in various pancreatic conditions). As such, supplemental enzymes can help alleviate gastrointestinal complaints such as gas/bloating, diarrhea, and cramps associated with inefficient/incomplete digestion. There is also some evidence that a small percentage of supplemental enzymes may be absorbed intact (and active) into the systemic circulation, where they appear to have anti-inflammatory and pain relieving actions that can be of benefit to athletes recovering from exercise/injury and to patients recovering from surgery. Scientific Support There are a number of clinical trials showing the benefit of using oral proteolytic enzymes as a digestive aid. Proteolytic enzymes are also theorized to help reduce symptoms of food allergies and as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases (which are thought by some alternative medicine practitioners to be caused by whole proteins from foods leaking into the blood and causing an immune reaction – sometimes called “leaky gut”). Unfortunately, there is not a great deal of scientific evidence, either from laboratory or clinical studies, to support the use of enzymes fro treating allergies or auto-immune conditions Perhaps the strongest evidence for benefits of proteolytic enzyme supplements come from numerous European studies showing various enzyme blends to be effective in accelerating recovery from exercise and injury in sportsmen as well as tissue repair in patients following surgery. In one study of footballers suffering from ankle injuries, proteolytic enzyme supplements accelerated healing and got players back on the field about 50% faster than athletes assigned to receive a placebo tablet. A handful of other small trials in athletes have shown enzymes can help reduce inflammation, speed healing of bruises and other tissue injuries (including fractures) and reduce overall recovery time when compared to athletes taking a placebo. In patients recovering from facial and various reconstructive surgery, treatment with proteolytic enzymes significantly reduced swelling, bruising and stiffness compared to placebo groups. In one double-blind study, the pain relieving effects of an enzyme blend (Wobenzym) was compared to a common analgesic drug (Diclofenac) in 80 patients suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee. The study lasted 2 months with a 28-day treatment period followed by a treatment-free period of another 28 days. Ain measurements (at rest, on motion, on walking, and at night) showed a significant improvement after treatment in both groups, with a tendency to relapse in the treatment-free period. Of particular interest, was the finding of no significant difference between the treatment-groups – meaning that the enzyme blend was just as effective as the drug in relieving the pain/stiffness or arthritis. Similar findings have been reported for other painful/inflammatory conditions including carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, facial bruising, ankle sprains, muscle soreness and others. Safety Proteolytic enzymes are generally considered to be quite safe, although mild gastrointestinal side effects (heartburn) may result in some individuals. Those individuals at risk for gastric or duodenal ulcers may want to avoid enzyme supplements which may aggravate ulcerated tissues. In addition, because proteolytic enzyme supplements also tend to produce a modest anti-coagulant (“blood-thinning”) effect, they should probably not be used in conjunction with warfarin or other blood thinning agents. Value The scientific evidence supports the use of proteolytic enzyme supplements for enhancing digestive function and for speeding recovery from injury/surgery and reducing swelling/bruising. The benefits in autoimmune diseases and food allergies is less substantial and awaits further study. As such, the moderate price of most proteolytic enzyme supplements ($10-$30/month) would appear to represent a good value for athletes wishing to enhance recovery from exercise/injury and for patients recovering from surgery. Because the vast majority of clinical evidence supporting the use of proteolytic enzymes has been collected on the Wobenzym brand from Mucos Pharma, it is advisable to make Wobenzym your first choice in an enzyme supplement. Dosage The dosage or “strength” of an enzyme supplement is typically expressed in “activity units” that refer to the enzymes ability to digest a certain amount of protein. Because the same milligram amount of a particular enzyme may have different activity units based on its processing and blending, it may be advisable to select an enzyme supplement that employs a combination of enzymes with activity at different pH levels. Also, look for a brand that is “enteric coated” – meaning that the formulation is protected from digestion in the stomach for optimal delivery of the enzymes to the intestines where they can perform their actions. | | |
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