Enzyme Research Information

Will enzymes digest my mouth, stomach, or intestines?

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If this were true, the enzymes produced by your own body would have already digested you away. These enzymes much prefer the denatured (cooked or damaged) proteins found in foods. Most proteins, in their healthy state, are coiled and globular in structure. This prevents the enzymes from having access to cleavage sites. When heated or in extremes of pH (like stomach acid), the proteins uncoil, exposing sites where the enzyme can bind and cleave.

Also, the cells of our bodies and the mucosal lining of the gastrointestinal tract contain protease inhibitors that inactivate certain protease enzymes. The mucosal layer acts as a physical barrier to proteolytic activity on living cells. The pancreas exposes your small intestine to a barrage of enzymes every time you eat, and the enzymes do not break down the intestine.

If enzyme powder remains on the lips or gums for a prolonged time, it may break down some of the layer of dead cells that covers our mouth and throat (the whitish-colored layer). When the fresh, raw layer of tissue comes into contact with saliva, the person may feel slight irritation. If you open a capsule to mix it with food, make sure you drink something afterwards to wash any enzyme residue down. Because amylase is in saliva, you have a constant supply of enzymes in your mouth all the time anyway.

How Does Protease Work?

http://www.enzymeessentials.com/HTML/proteases.html

Oral proteases taken on an empty stomach have been shown to be absorbed and carried into the blood stream where they are bound to Alpha2-macroglobulin. The binding of the Alpha2-macroglobulin to proteases does not inactivate the proteolytic activity of the protease. However, the complexing of the Alpha2-macroglobulin ensures the clearance of the protease from the organism.

Several studies have indicated that oral proteases bound to the macroglobulins hydrolyze immune complexes, proteinaceous debris, damaged proteins, and acute phase plasma proteins in the blood stream' It is suggested that oral proteases may help hydrolyze and remove extra cellular proteins damaged by free radicals, which are especially susceptible to proteolysis, as mentioned above.

Allergy Research Group

Focus Newsletter, published for medical distributors and customers in the medical industry, that you can read online, or you can sign up to receive via email. The newsletters are in Adobe Acrobat PDF format. http://www.allergyresearchgroup.com/news/letter.htm

Controlling Inflammation with Proteolytic Enzymes

Enzymes are the unsung heroes of the body?without them life would be impossible. It has been estimated that the human body contains at least 50,000 different enzymes that orchestrate the countless biochemical reactions that control all life functions.

Enzymes also play an essential role in inflammation and other functions of the immune system. Inflammation is one of the body's most important mechanisms for protecting itself against danger. If you've ever had an insect bite, a sprained ankle, a sore throat, or a bad sunburn, you know what inflammation is. Inflammation is the body's way of imposing a measured, temporary discomfort in the interest of long-term health. The five cardinal symptoms of inflammation are:

1. Redness
2. Heat
3. Swelling
4. Pain
5. Restriction of Movement

These signs indicate that the body is bringing in more blood and immune resources, like white blood cells and macrophages, to remove microorganisms and other foreign matter. Redness is a sign that vasodilation is allowing more blood and other fluids to reach the affected area; local heat reflects the increased flow of warm blood from deep within the body; swelling (edema) is caused by the local accumulation of fluids; pain and restricted mobility arise from the added pressure due to the swelling.

Proteolytic enzymes, such as bromelain, papain, pancreatin, trypsin, chymotrypsin, and rutin, are essential regulators and modulators of the inflammatory response. Among their important actions is a seven- to ten-fold increase in the "appetite" of macrophages and in the potency of natural killer (NK) cells. Proteolytic (protein-destroying) enzymes also degrade pathogenic complexes that can inhibit normal immune function. These immune complexes, which consist of an antigen bound to an antibody, are a normal part of the immune response. But when immune complexes occur in excess, they are a principal cause of certain kidney diseases, nerve inflammations, and a number of rheumatologic diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis. Evidence suggests that trypsin, papain, and other proteolytic enzymes can break up existing pathogenic immune complexes and even prevent their formation in the first place, enhancing lymphatic drainage. The bottom line of these actions is a regulatory or stimulatory effect on the immune system.

Proteolytic enzymes modulate the inflammatory process by a variety of mechanisms, including reducing the swelling of mucous membranes, decreasing capillary permeability, and dissolving blood clot-forming fibrin deposits and microthrombi.

By reducing the viscosity (thickness) of the blood, enzymes improve circulation. This consequently increases the supply of oxygen and nutrients to and the transport of harmful waste products away from traumatized tissue. Proteolytic enzymes also help break down plasma proteins and cellular debris at the site of an injury into smaller fragments. This greatly facilitates their passage through the lymphatic system, resulting in more rapid resolution of swelling, with the consequent relief of pain and discomfort.

Italian researchers have shown that the ability of proteolytic enzymes to reduce inflammation is equal to or superior to four powerful steroidal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: Phenylbutazone, Hydrocortisone, Indomethacin, and Acetylsalicylic Acid.

Although individual proteolytic enzymes are useful, the extraordinary combination of these enzymes yields a combination greater than its sum. Systemic multi-enzyme therapy has proved helpful in cases of arthritis and related diseases, offering a wide range of benefits relative to anti-inflammatory, vasculoprotective, and immuno-modulatory effects.