Systemic Enzymes for Inflammation

While many people are familiar with the use of supplements to aid digestion, there are other important applications for supplemental enzymes. Enzymes can be used "systemically' throughout the body to treat and prevent various~ conditions. Unlike digestive enzyme therapy, which does not require absorption, the goal of systemic enzyme therapy is to get the enzymes into the blood­stream and to the various tissues to assist cellular functions. For systemic purposes, enzymes are taken on an empty stomach to facilitate entry into the circulatory system.

The key systemic enzymes are proteolytic (protein-digesting) enzymes derived from animal, vegetable or micro­bial origin. The three principal kinds of proteolytic enzyme supplements used are: bromelain (from pineapple), papain (from papaya) and combination products containing brome­lain, papain, trypsin and chymotrypsin. Trypsin and chy­motrypsin are derived from pancreatin, a mixture of enzymes from hog or ox pancreas.

Proteolytic enzymes cleave protein compounds by hydroly­sis-they split the material by incorporating water. In the bloodstream, the enzymes travel to specific sites where they break down and "digest" proteinaceous or fibrous waste mater­ial, including cell debris, bacteria, cysts, tumors, dead tissue, immune complexes and various toxins. They also stimulate phagocytos is, the swallowing of pathogens by immune cells in the bloodstream.

In the United States, systemic oral enzymes have been overlooked by most physicians. The clinical use of systemic enzyme supplements is most widely practiced in Germany where they are commonly used for pain, inflammation, swelling, blood-thinning and immune support. More than 50 studies have confirmed their use in treating rheumatoid arthri­tis and osteoarthritis, sports injuries and maintaining good heart health and immune function. One systemic oral enzyme preparation (Wobenzyme) is the No.1 nonaspirin, over-the-counter medicine for pain and inflammation and the ninth-leading natural medicine among all medical drugs in Germany.

In contrast to pharmaceutical anti-inflammatories, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin and ibuprofen, enzyme ~reparations support and accelerate the natural inflammatory healing response without let­ting it get out of hand, resulting in a pain-relieving effect. This is accomplished by improved microcircu­lation at the site of inflammation and removal of inflammatory products.

Systemic oral enzymes have been used success­fully for a variety of clinical conditions, including soft-tissue injuries and all types of inflammations (the "-itis"~conditions), as well as postoperatively to help alleviate pain and swelling and speed recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is enzyme therapy?

Enzyme therapy is a form of therapy that has evolved from naturopathy. Today it has a firm place in the spectrum of treatment available under the understanding of mainstream medicine -- despite all hostilities. Extensive research made this possible.

2. What are systemic enzymes?

The correct medical term for the therapeutic use of natural enzymes is "Systemic Enzyme Therapy." This means that enzymes flow throughout our body, producing the desired effects.

3. How do enzymes work?

Enzymes work by virtue of their shape. An enzyme molecule can be compared, in shape at least, to many short strings of pearls (amino acids) strung together. This long string folds in on itself as certain sequences of amino acids (pearls) are more attracted to each other than to other sequences, thus giving the enzymes a specific shape.

At one point on the surface of this string of pearls there exists something, which looks like a keyhole. This is called the "active site" on the enzyme. When matched with its specific coenzyme (a vitamin, mineral, or trace element) this "lock" has the exact inverse contour of the "key" which is contained in the molecule of the enzyme's "substrate" (the molecule the enzyme wants to transform into a different molecule). When the substrate appears, it inserts the "key" into the "lock." The molecular structure of the substrate is transformed into a different molecular structure and both enzyme and the newly transformed molecule go on their merry ways.

4. What is a digestive enzyme?

The job of a digestive enzyme is to break down food during the digestive process. The intestine is more able to absorb food, which is thus broken down into smaller units, and the rest of the body is more easily able to utilize food, which is in this form. There are three basic types of digestive enzymes, one type for each class of food: lipase for fat, proteinase for protein and amylase for carbohydrate.

5. How long before the systemic enzymes take effect?

It may depend on the individual's physiological make-up. Everyone is different. Testimonials from some of our customers reported positive effects ranging from 3 days to 2 weeks.

6. What is a proteolytic enzyme as compared to a digestive enzyme?

The term "proteolytic" is a catchall term referring to enzymes that digest protein.

7. What is the difference between Vitalzym and other enzyme based products?

The enzymes used in Vitalzym are plant derived, where some other enzyme therapies are derived from bovine (cows).

8. What else are enzymes used for?

Enzymes are widely used in the food industry. Enzymes are also essential in the manufacture of beer.

9. Are enzymes considered "anti-inflammatory drugs?"

Proteolytic Enzymes are considered anti-inflammatory agents.

10. Are there any incompatibility issues with other nutraceuticals?

No. In fact since vitamins are actually coenzymes and minerals are cofactors to enzymes, enzymes are needed in the body for them to be able to have their full effect. In other words Systemic Enzyme use enhances the effect of any program of supplementation.

11. Are there any incompatibility issues with any prescribed drugs?

Yes. People on prescription blood thinners should not use Systemic Enzymes concurrent with the drug use. The enzymes enhance the effects of the blood thinning medications making them stronger.

12. Will the enzymes have any adverse effects on birth control?

No. The enzymes will have no effect one way or the other on birth control methods.

13. What is fibrin and how do the enzymes help prevent the excess protein from hurting us?

Fibrin is the building block of connective tissue, and as such it is part of the body's repair mechanism. The deposition of fibrin is regulated (controlled) by proteolytic enzymes. After enzyme output drops around age 27, the fibrin doesn't have the amount of enzymes it needs to keep it under control. Thus, it begins to grow in places it was not meant to be in such abundance: i.e. across joints and muscles restricting ROM, in breasts as fibrocystic breast disease and inside of all of our internal organs diminishing their size and function. As age increases, fibrin production increases and enzyme output decreases. Supplementing the proper systemic enzymes with highly fibrinolytic (fibrin cleaving) properties reverses much of the fibrin build up.

14. Is it possible to be allergic to something in the enzyme product?

An allergy to the product would be easy to detect either through direct skin testing as in conventional allergy testing or through the Applied Kinesiology testing that some Chiropractors do.

15. I take a baby aspirin everyday. Is there some substitute for that?

After the first day or two on the enzymes, they will do the work of the baby aspirin without the toxicity.

16. I am unable to swallow pills of any type - large or small, tablet or capsule. Would I benefit at all from the enzymes if I broke open the capsule or crushed the tablet?

You can open the capsules or grind the tablets into powder and then mix it with applesauce or, as we do with out toddler, mix it in juice and drink.

17. I've been taking the enzymes on an empty stomach as directed and they cause cramping and nausea, would I get the same results if I took the enzymes with food?

Try taking the enzymes with a light meal such as oatmeal or a half a bagel. There are some people who can't take any enzyme products on an empty stomach. It turns out you won't lose much of the enzyme action to the food, and you'll pad your GI system.

Susan D Hawaii