What's a Protease?
A protease (also known as a proteolytic enzyme, peptidase or proteinase) is a type of enzyme that functions mainly to help us digest different kinds of proteins. They break down the bonds by a process known as hydrolysis and convert proteins into smaller chains called peptides or even smaller units called amino acids.
Commonly found in plant sources like papaya and pineapple, proteases also play a key role in many physiological processes. Proteins have a complex folded structure requiring these types of enzymes to disassemble the molecule in very specific ways. Without proteases the intestinal lining would not be able to digest proteins, causing serious consequences to your health.
The Health Benefits of Protease
Proteolytic enzymes are extremely important for the digestion of many foods. But their intestinal duties are not solely limited to digesting food. They also digest unwanted harmful organisms in the body. Protease is an example of a type of enzyme that can break down unwanted wastes such as toxins, cellular debris, and undigested proteins. In this way, protease helps digest the small stuff, so that our immune system can work hard to avoid toxin overload.
In this way digestion plays a huge role in overall health, and enzymes are a big part of digestive health. With the distinct ability to breakdown peptide bonds and liberate amino acids, proteolytic enzymes are now being studyied by modern science and medicine for their clinical and therapeutic use in the realms of general oncology, inflammatory issues, and overall immune function.
The following list offers some health benefits of supplementing with protease, as well some of the exciting research being done on protease and its applications to human health and disease prevention/management:
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
A 2010 U.S. study on Inflammatory Bowel Diseases found that the proteolytic enzyme bromelain could help reduce inflammation and even tumor formation in the colon.
A 2010 U.S. study on Inflammatory Bowel Diseases found that the proteolytic enzyme bromelain could help reduce inflammation and even tumor formation in the colon.
Skin Burns & Stomach Ulcers
A March 2010 Brazilian study in “Burns” journal found that intake of protease can help cell repair in cases of skin burns and stomach ulcers in laboratory mice.
A March 2010 Brazilian study in “Burns” journal found that intake of protease can help cell repair in cases of skin burns and stomach ulcers in laboratory mice.
Sprains & Pain Relief
One double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 30 individuals with chronic neck pain found that those patients using a protease enzyme experienced moderate reduction in pain when compared to placebo. Clinical trials show that protease enzymes can speed healing times of sprains, bruises, fractures and tissue injuries.
One double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 30 individuals with chronic neck pain found that those patients using a protease enzyme experienced moderate reduction in pain when compared to placebo. Clinical trials show that protease enzymes can speed healing times of sprains, bruises, fractures and tissue injuries.
Slow or Stop Inflammation
Protease enzymes slow or stop inflammation by neutralizing the biochemicals associated with the inflammatory response (i.e., bradykinins and eicosanoids). This may lead to everything from a reduction in heart disease, to cancer prevention, to reduced chances of developing Alzheimer’s.
Protease enzymes slow or stop inflammation by neutralizing the biochemicals associated with the inflammatory response (i.e., bradykinins and eicosanoids). This may lead to everything from a reduction in heart disease, to cancer prevention, to reduced chances of developing Alzheimer’s.
Osteoarthritis Pain
One study done on over 400 people found that protease enzymes could reduce osteoarthritis pain as much as the commonly-prescribed anti-inflammatory, osteoarthritis drug diclofenac.
One study done on over 400 people found that protease enzymes could reduce osteoarthritis pain as much as the commonly-prescribed anti-inflammatory, osteoarthritis drug diclofenac.
Sports-Related Injuries
Research suggests that the protease enzyme combinations may aid in the treatment of sports injuries. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of over 40 people with sports-related injuries found that taking proteolytic enzymes could offer quicker recovery, as well as reducing the time away from practicing sports again by 50%. Other research has found that taking protease enzymes could significantly increase recovery time after injury, particularly in cases involving mild fractures.
Research suggests that the protease enzyme combinations may aid in the treatment of sports injuries. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of over 40 people with sports-related injuries found that taking proteolytic enzymes could offer quicker recovery, as well as reducing the time away from practicing sports again by 50%. Other research has found that taking protease enzymes could significantly increase recovery time after injury, particularly in cases involving mild fractures.
Beneficial Gut Bacteria
Research shows that protease activities give our cells critical amino acids and are essential for the growth of Lactic Acid Bacteria, the good forms of gut bacteria that break compounds down.
Research shows that protease activities give our cells critical amino acids and are essential for the growth of Lactic Acid Bacteria, the good forms of gut bacteria that break compounds down.
Circulatory & Lymph System
Protease enzymes help to cleanse organic debris out of our circulatory and lymph system.
Protease enzymes help to cleanse organic debris out of our circulatory and lymph system.
Clots
Some forms of protease can boost the “quality” of blood cells, allowing a better circulatory response, and reducing the risk of clots.
Some forms of protease can boost the “quality” of blood cells, allowing a better circulatory response, and reducing the risk of clots.
Digestive Diseases
In another study published in the February 2007 “Enzyme and Microbial Technology” journal, protease was found to be a useful aid for a variety of conditions, including digestive diseases.
In another study published in the February 2007 “Enzyme and Microbial Technology” journal, protease was found to be a useful aid for a variety of conditions, including digestive diseases.
References:
- Buck JE, Phillips N. Trial of Chymoral in professional footballers. Br J Clin Pract. 1970 Sep;24(9):375-7. PMID 4918726
- Craig RP. The quantitative evaluation of the use of oral proteolytic enzymes in the treatment of sprained ankles.Injury. 1975 May;6(4):313-6. PMID: 806518
- Fisher JD, Weeks RL, Curry WM, Hrinda ME, Rosen LL. Effects of an oral enzyme preparation, Chymoral, upon serum proteins associated with injury (acute phase reactants) in man. J Med. 1974;5(5):258-73. PMID 4213068
- Therapy Center and Author of The Healing Power of Enzymes. Forbes Custom Publishing 1998.
- Camilla Christenccon, Henrik Bratt, Lesley J. Collins, Tim Coolbear, Ross Holland, Mark W. Lubbere, Paul W. O”Toole, and Julian R. Reid.Cloning and expression of an Oligopeptidase, PepO, with Novel Speficity from Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001.
- Cornelia C. Metges. German Institute of Human Nutrition, D-14558 Bergholz-Rehbrücke, Germany Contribution of Microbial Amino Acids to Amino Acid. 130:1857S-1864S
- Homeostasis of the Host. Hoemecke R, Doenicke A. Perioperative enzyme therapy. A significant supplement to postoperative pain therapy? Anaesthesist. 1993 Dec;42(12):856-61.
- Lie KK, Larsen RD, Posch JL. Therapeutic value of oral proteolytic enzymes following hand surgery. Arch Surg. 1969 Jan;98(1):103-4. PMID 5782868
- Sumi H et al. Enhancement of the fibrinolytic activity in plasma by oral administration of Nattokinase. Acta Haematol 1990;84:139-143. PMID 2123064
- “Advanced Nutrition and Human Metabolism,” Sareen S. Gropper, et. al., 2005.
- Food Enzymes – A Key to Unlocking Our Health (M.D. News Magazine)
- http://www.nutritionalwellness.com/archives/2006/jul/07_proteolytic.php
- http://www.enzymeresearchgroup.net/docs/Protease%20and%20Probiotics%20Final.pdf
- http://www.upmc.com/healthatoz/pages/healthlibrary.aspx?chunkiid=21671
- Miller. Proteolytic enzymes in inflammation: rationale for use. Postgrad Med. 1956 Jan;19(1):16-22.
- Braga PC, Moretti M et al. Effects of seaprose on the rheology of bronchial mucus in patients with chronic bronchitis. Int J Clin Pharmacol Res 1993;13(3):179-185.
- Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2010 Dec;16(12):2012-21. doi: 10.1002/ibd.21320. Dietary supplementation with fresh pineapple juice decreases inflammation and colonic neoplasia in IL-10-deficient mice with colitis. PMID 20848493
- Gomes FS, Spínola Cde V, Ribeiro HA, Lopes MT, Cassali GD, Salas CE. Wound-healing activity of a proteolytic fraction from Carica candamarcensis on experimentally induced burn. 2010 Mar;36(2):277-83. Epub 2009 Jul 3. PMID 19577373
Website source: http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/what-is-protease/
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