More importantly, what are the health benefits of systemic enzymes and proteolytic enzymes?
Proteolytic enzymes referred to as proteases are enzymes that break down proteins into their smallest elements.
If this breakdown of proteins happens in your gut…
The enzymes are called digestive because they help you digest your food.
Systemic enzymes have a completely different purpose.
In the short video below Nena Dockery explains the difference between digestive and systemic enzymes and the roles they each play in digestion…
When taken on an empty stomach, proteolytic enzymes will pass through the stomach or intestine lining and enter the circulatory system.
This is why they are called “systemic” because once they enter the circulatory system, the enzymes circulate throughout your body.
Why are systemic proteolytic enzymes important?
Systemic proteolytic enzymes break down excess fibrin in your circulatory system and in other connective tissue such as your muscles.
These enzymes bring nutrients and oxygen-rich blood that removes the metabolic waste produced by inflammation and excess fibrin.
For example:
If you have an injury or are recovering from a painful condition of any kind and your blood flow is restricted, you generally have a longer recovery.
The exchange of nutrients and oxygen in your body will be limited and that means a longer recovery but an increase in pain and inflammation.
Fibrin wraps itself around blood cells, (like a spiders web) as it entangles causing a physical restriction of blood flow as blood cells actually get stuck.
Ultimately, the red blood cells cannot get into capillaries to oxygenate and nourish muscles or remove the metabolic waste that’s causing your pain.
One more important factor to understand…
Whenever you’re recovering from a muscle irritation, injury or surgery your body uses fibrin to help heal itself.
This is normal and healthy…
The only problem is with poor blood flow and a lack of enzyme activity fibrin will start to accumulate.
If the area in question is slow to heal that means an excess of fibrin will appear as clumps of scar tissue in the muscle or specific area of surgery.
Once this happens, you acute condition becomes chronic.
Now, you know that excess fibrin throughout your circulatory system will severely limit the amount of blood flow to areas that need it the most…
you may be wondering how your body compensates for this restriction.
The answer is simple!
By forcing the heart to work harder and increasing your blood pressure.
How do you know if you have too much fibrin?
Your body will do whatever it needs to do to keep you alive, sometimes at great cost to your overall health.
Some possible indicators of excess fibrin in your system include:
- Chronic fatigue
- Slow healing
- Inflammation & pain
- Elevated blood pressure
There is also a medical test to measure something called “blood monomers.”
The dangers of too much fibrin…
The medical community has long known that excess fibrin presents a cardiac and stroke risk.
Finally, they have acknowledged a link between excess fibrin and chronic systemic inflammation…
The root cause of virtually every disease and painful condition know to man.
Which conditions do proteolytic enzymes help and how?
The list below is only a sample of the types of conditions that can be addressed with systemic proteolytic enzymes.
If you are still wondering how one little substance can support all of these conditions…
Remember excess fibrin causes a reduction in blood flow:
- Arthritis
- Atherosclerosis
- Back Pain
- Chronic Fatigue
- Chronic Pain
- Fibrocystic Breast
- Fibromyalgia
- High Blood Pressure
- Herniated Disc
- Hyper-coagulation
- Sciatica
- Spinal Stenosis
- Strains and Sprains
- Post-operative Scar Tissue
- Traumatic Inflammation
- Uterine Fibroids
Which would you rather take a pain killer or a healing enzyme?
Truth is, very few pain killers help heal your body.
in most cases the side effects are rather unpleasant too.
On the other hand, systemic proteolytic enzymes support your body’s ability to heal itself and reduce the signs or symptoms of a chronic condition.
Can proteolytic enzymes be used with other pain meds?
I knew you were going to ask.
Yes, enzymes can used if you’re taking low dose non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), as long as they are taken 60 minutes apart.
How about clinical research?
Where is the proof?
There are untold numbers of clinical studies on proteolytic enzymes.
Remember enzymes have been in use in Europe for more than 50 years. And in Japan, some proteolytic enzymes are classified as prescription drugs.
Where do proteolytic enzymes come form?
Some are animal based or plant based such as Bromelain and Papain.
Some are fungus based such as Serrazimes®.
Which types are best and why?
Some would argue that plant or fungus based enzymes because they tolerate the gastric environment better so more enzymes make their way into the circulatory system.
How long does it take to start to work?
Enzymes go to work immediately.
The big difference between enzymes and vitamins is the way they’re measured.
Enzymes are not measured by weight, they’re measured in Units of Fibrolytic Activity.
This means how much fibrin actually breaks down in a set amount of time.
The questions you really want answered are: “How long will it take to get pain relief and reduce my inflammation?”
“How fast will my healing happen?”
Truth is, there is no simple answer because the healing process and outcome will be different for everyone.
There are a number of factors on how fast the enzymes will work for you.
This includes dosage, quality of sleep, diet and physical activity.
Even the very treatments you’re undergoing could be holding you back.
Are proteolytic enzymes safe for continued use?
Proteolytic enzymes are considered safe for continued use.
There are three suggested usage protocols:
- To be taken on a rotation of 12 weeks on and 4 weeks off
- To be taken continuously
- To be taken as needed…
Who should not take proteolytic enzymes?
- Women taking prescription blood thinners (Coumadin, Heparin, Plavix)
- Women who will be having surgery in less than two weeks
- Women with known ulcers of the stomach
- Women with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.(GERD)
- Pregnant or lactating women
- Women currently taking antibiotics
- Women wth an allergic reaction to pineapples or papayas
Are there any side effects?
Proteolytic enzymes have a good safety record with no significant side effects reported.
Of course, with any supplement there is always the risk of developing an allergy to one or more ingredients. If this happens…discontinue use.
Would you try systemic proteolytic enzymes?
Remember, the enzymes are supporting the healing process, so recovery from any condition is going to take time.
You don’t just take the enzymes and expect to get better immediately.
By using these enzymes as part of a well-planned recovery process, you’re making a commitment to making improvements in your life.
Everything I learned is from people who are far more knowledgeable than me about the role enzymes play in helping us achieve optimal health.
There are quite a few formulas that have high fibrolytic activity which means it helps support the work of the enzymes to deliver more beneficial results.
Personally, I’m not a big fan of taking a lot of supplements.
Yes, it’s difficult and confusing to figure out which supplements to take, it can be overwhelming and also taking supplements can get expensive.
You want to look at supplements as an investment in better health.
If you want optimal health, your goal might be to consider enzymes.
If you think your life and your body would benefit from having less fibrin and better blood flow…
If you do decide to include enzymes, never buy an enzyme that lists the dose in milligrams (mg) or has “Proprietary Enzyme Blend” on the label.
Enzymes are not measured in mg and should not be sold in mg.
“Proprietary Enzyme Blend” is not telling you exactly how much enzyme is in the product, so don’t support a company that’s not being honest with you.
What are enzymes proteolytic…just make sure you demand full disclosure on the label.
