Enzymes - "Make it happen!"
What are enzymes?
Composed of amino acids, enzymes are catalysts in various processes. E.g. in food, plants, laundry detergents, textile industry, and the human body
- Catalyze biological reactions that would not normally occur at physiological temperatures
- > 3000 enzymes identified – each with a specific function.
For example:
- Catalase – breaks down toxic ethanol in alcohol to non-toxic acetic acid
- RNA polymerase – used to transcribe DNA into RNA for making proteins.
- Lysosomal enzyme -the garbage disposal in every cell
- Protease – digests protein
Enzymes are relatively large, but their protein structures are fragile. Amino acids in the molecular chain link together to form certain patterns and shapes, giving enzymes their unique characteristics and functions. When something disrupts the chain’s structure and shape, the enzyme becomes “denatured” and loses its ability to perform. E.g. exposing them to temperatures > 116 â°F.
As catalysts, enzymes are not used up in a reaction
There are three types of enzymes:
- Digestive (extra-cellular enzymes) – help break down food for absorption and transport to cells
- Food based – enzymes in uncooked foods supply some of the body’s enzymes
- Metabolic / Systemic (intra-cellular enzymes) – involved with cell’s “in-house” reproductive and general functions
Your pancreas produces most of the digestive and metabolic enzymes. Obtaining enzymes from food lowers the burden on the pancreas to produce enzymes. Enzymes not used for digestion are then available for important metabolic processses
- Cooked / processed / fatty foods, aging and antibiotics deplete body’s enzymes
- Enzyme production rate starts declining around the age of 20 – added to which,age brings a decline in the stomach’s production of hydrochloric acid, which is needed to activate the stomach’s digestive enzymes
(1) Digestive enzymes
Most digestive enzymes are produced in the pancreas and released throughout the digestive tract – but digestion begins in the mouth with amylase in saliva breaking down carbs and mastication breaking down proteins
Enzymes in the digestive system. There are eight primary digestive enzymes, each purposed to help break down different types of food:
- Protease: Digests protein mostly in the stomach (after mastication in the mouth)
- Amylase: Digests carbohydrates; in mouth, upper stomach, then the small intestine
- Lipase: Digests fats primarily in the small intestine
- Cellulase: Breaks down fiber
- Maltase: Converts complex sugars from grains into glucose
- Lactase:Digests milk sugar (lactose) in dairy products
- Phytase:Helps with overall digestion, especially B vitamin production
- Sucrase: Digests most sugars
Poor digestion often leads to GI disorders:
- Acid reflux / heartburn
- Constipation / Bloating /Cramping / Flatulence / Belching
Chronic malabsorption can lead to any number of illnesses
General tactics to improve digestive enzyme levels
Reduce caloric intake. Lowers the body’s demand for digestive enzymes, at the same time as reducing body’s digestive energy consumption, which typically uses 80% of your body’s available energy; extra energy is then available for making metabolic enzymes
Chew food thoroughly
DON’T CHEW GUM!
- Stimulates saliva production and increases enzyme action in the mouth
- Alerts pancreas and other digestive organs to anticipate incoming food
- Chewing gum wastes enzymes and stimulates hydrochloric acid production in the stomach for food that never arrives
Confine protein intake to breakfast and lunch. This uses the pancreatic enzymes for only 6 hours, leaving 18 hours for metabolic use of protease enzymes, such as digesting fibrin coats on cancer cells
Consume foods with high proteolytic enzyme content
SPROUTS / RAW FOODS / ACV
Sprouts and germinated nuts, seeds, grains, legumes provide the highest enzyme source. Soaking them for germination also makes these “seeds”more digestible.
Raw foods are good sources of enzymes
Vegetable juicing part of the CANCER TREATMENT CORE. Enzymes are denatured at temperatures > 116 â°F and even a Vitamix left running too long or some centrifugal juicers can cause contents to reach such temperature
Apple Cider Vinegar in water
Other enzyme-rich foods:
- Papaya, pineapple, ginger, mango, kiwi, and grapes
- Avocado
- Raw honey (enzymes from bee’s saliva)
- Bee pollen
- Extra virgin olive oil and coconut oil
- Raw meat and dairy
- Natto
BROMELAIN IN PINEAPPLE
“Bromelain works much the same way as these new “miracle” clot-busting drugs, by stimulating the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin, which in turn helps break down the fibrin clot.”
– Dr. David Williams
Pineapples have high bromelain content. It is found in the stems (highest concentration) of pineapples, fruit, and freshly squeezed juice.
Additional anti-cancer properties (i.e. anti-inflammatory, fibrin-dissolver, cytokine booster). This protease also enhances the effects of the digestive enzymes trypsin and pepsin, is a natural anticoagulant and thins mucus (helpful in respiratory congestion or asthma), as reported by the WHO.
“The demasking effect of these enzymes against the pericellular layer of the malignant cell is something very concrete in the immunology of cancer. Now I prefer, rather than advising the use of bromelain or papaya tablets that the individual seeking these enzymes get them directly from the fresh ripe pineapple and papaya fruit. As much as half a pineapple a day should be ingested…You have nothing to lose by eating fresh pineapple and papaya melons.” – Dr. Krebs, Jr.
PAPAIN IN UNRIPENED PAPAYAS
- The proteolytic enzyme papain is derived from unripened papayas
- Papain is similar to stomach pepsin found in our bodies. It is helpful with indigestion or slow digestion, according to the University of California.
- Papain is used as a meat tenderizer. An active ingredient in most tenderizers on the market.
ZINGIBAIN IN GINGER ROOT
- Ginger root has a high content of the proteolytic enzyme zingibain
- Zingibain helps break down dietary proteins and improve digestion. It does this by neutralizing stomach acids and promoting the production of digestive juices.
- Zingibain may also improve the immune system. Thus helping to control autoimmune diseases.
PROTEASE IN GRAINS
- Protease is a type of proteolytic enzyme naturally found in grains. When wheat grains GERMINATE, protease activity increases fifteen-fold.
- Wheat seeds contain other proteolytic enzymes. E.g. endopeptidases, aminopeptidases and carboxypeptidases often removed by processing.
The Complete Book of Enzyme Therapy,” by Dr. Anthony J. Cichoke
NATTOKINASE IN FERMENTED SOY (ESPECIALLY “NATTO”)
- The Japanese fermented food “natto” is a rich source of the enzyme nattokinase
- Nattokinase dissolves clots and fibrin deposits in various parts of the body. Useful for many problems associated with fibrin and impaired circulation E.g. hyper-coagulation of the blood, circulatory problems, angina, heart attacks, strokes, senility, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple sclerosis, and on. The Japanese people eat an average of 4.5 pounds (2.2 kg) of natto annually. Dr. David Williams Alternatives newsletter November 2002.
(2) Food enzymes
The major reason enzymes levels become depleted is that we eat mostly processed, irradiated and cooked food devoid of enzymes (most rendered inactive by exposure to temperatures over 116â° F)
- Raw food (picked ripe) contains enzymes that help break it down in the upper stomach – where it sits for 30 to 45 minutes. In the lower stomach the pancreas excretes more enzymes.
- Cooked, irradiated, processed food does not predigest in the upper stomach:
- When it reaches the lower stomach, the pancreas must make extra enzymes to try and break down the food (although cooked food is already somewhat broken down by the cooking process) -sometimes food can be left only partially digested.
- Eventually an overworked pancreas is no longer able to produce an adequate supply of enzymes – resulting in low enzyme levels for metabolic purposes -i.e. detoxification, energy production and for utilization by the immune system for fighting disease and eliminating cancer cells
- Pasteurizing dairy products denatures enzymes
Enzymes are better received from foods such as fresh-made juices and apple cider vinegar (ACV) rather than supplemented. Too many enzymes, as provided in a supplement, can promote a lazy pancreas. It is better to build up the body with nutrients and empower the pancreas. However, if you insist on a digestive supplement . . .
- Digestive enzymes must be taken WITH a meal
- Should include lipase, protease, and amylase enzymes
- A good DIGESTIVE enzyme brand: Dr. Mercola Digestive Enzymes
- Hydrochloric acid may need a supplemental boost too
(3) Metabolic / systemic enzymes
Metabolic enzymes are catalysts that speed up METABOLIC processes in the body
>3000 enzymes identified – each with a specific function (Each enzyme is described by a sequence of four numbers preceded by “EC” – The first number broadly classifies the enzyme based on its mechanism.)
- EC 1 Oxidoreductases: catalyze oxidation/reduction reactions
- EC 2 Transferases: transfer a functional group (e.g. a methyl or phosphate group)
- EC 3 Hydrolases: catalyze the hydrolysis of various bonds
- EC 4 Lyases: cleave various bonds by means other than hydrolysis and oxidation
- EC 5 Isomerases: catalyze isomerization changes within a single molecule
- EC 6 Ligases: join two molecules with covalent bonds.
Benefits of metabolic enzymes (which are mainly proteolytic) in body
- Detoxification
- Energy production
- Fighting disease/infections, healing wounds
- Reduce inflammation
- Oxygen absorption
- Toxic waste removal
- Dissolve clots
- Regulate hormones
- Anti-aging
- Involved in: Circulatory, lymphatic, cardiac, neurologic, endocrine, renal, hepatic, and reproductive systems
- Maintain skin, bones, joints, muscles
Some enzymes need coenzymes to function – E.g. CoQ10, magnesium, zinc
Systemic proteolytic enzyme therapy
A systemic proteolytic enzyme therapy provides benefits in cancer and other health issues
A systemic proteolytic therapy uses high doses of proteolytic enzymes to reach the bloodstream for such as a cancer treatment or other therapy. Most enzymes are proteolytic -meaning they catalyze the splitting of proteins. These category EC 3.4 enzymes usually act on peptide bonds between amino acids, in a reaction called dehydration synthesis, which releases a molecule of water.
When available, the body uses proteolytic enzymes (proteases) to alleviate many health problems and address several areas of concern:
- Blood clots
- Cancer
- Scars
- Fibrosis
- Any inflammatory disease E.g. heart disease, arthritis
- Pain E.g. sports injuries
- Detoxification / Clean-up (Break down protein fragments and microbes in blood)
- Immune function
- Anti-aging
- Decrease side-effects of chemo and radiation
For information on the best way to boost body’s proteolytic enzymes
How to boost body’s protease enzymes using food, supplements or other methods
FUNCTIONS OF SYSTEMIC PROTEOLYTIC ENZYMES IN THE BODY | |
| Detoxification | Proteolytic enzymes break down protein-based foreign-bodies in the circulatory and lymph systems. E.g. bacteria, fungi, parasites,the viral capsid (enables them to bond to DNA), protein fragments for elimination from the body |
| Break down fibrin |
|
| Reduce inflammation / pain | Proteolytic enzymes remove excess circulating immune complexes (CICs) or prostaglandins that perpetuate inflammation:
|
| Boost immune function |
|
HEALTH PROBLEMS AVERTED OR TREATED BY SYSTEMIC /PROTEOLYTIC ENZYMES | |
| Decrease side-effects of chemo and radiation |
|
| Heart disease | Proteolytic enzymes fight heart disease better than NSAIDS (E.g. aspirin, Ibuprofen) and without their side-effects (used long-term, NSAIDs damage GI tract mucosa (lining). Especially in the stomach and upper intestine (leading to peptic ulcers), and can cause renal damage).
|
| Other vascular diseases | Thrombosis, phlebitis, and varicose veins. |
| Cancer | John Beard believed pancreatic enzyme deficiency impairing immune function was the root cause of cancer John Beard. (1911) THE ENZYME TREATMENT OF CANCER AND ITS SCIENTIFIC BASIS
|
| Most inflammatory or autoimmune diseases |
|
| Anti-aging | Proteolytic enzyme therapy effect against aging is attributed to restoring depleted enzyme levels |
| Injuries |
|
How to supplement systemic / proteolytic enzymes (proteases)
- Pancreatin (contains amylase, lipase and trypsin)
- Trypsin (separate from pancreatin)
- Chymotrypsin (produced in the body)
- Bromelain (from the stems of pineapples)
- Papain (derived from unripe papayas)
- Nattokinase (from Natto cheese). Provides optimal clotting ability in the blood. Rivalling pharmaceutical drugs, such as warfarin, but without any of the side effects. Those already on blood thinners need to consult their doctor before using nattokinase supplements. Sumi H et al.
- Serrapeptase (from the silkworm, also plant-sourced) or its improved alternative Seaprose S (derived from Aspergillus melleus)
Seaprose S (improved alternative to serrapeptase)
This anti-inflammatory is a viable alternative to salicylates, ibuprofen and other NSAIDS Seaprose S is an improved alternative to serrapeptase. A specialized (serine-proteinase) proteolytic enzyme derived from Aspergillus melleus, having the ability to:- Reduce painful inflammation
- Break up mucus. An OTC cold remedy in Japan
- Relieve respiratory infections. E.g, bronchitis, pulmonary tuberculosis, pulmonary emphysema, bronchiolitis and bronchial asthma
- Possible antibacterial
- Seaprose-S demonstrated potent anti-inflammatory activity, inhibiting edema, and potent bradykinin (a chemical mediator of inflammation) decomposition activity – demonstrated an ability to reduce painful inflammation and break up mucus. Braga PC, Rampoldi C et al “In vitro rheological assessment of mucolytic activity induced by seaprose” Pharmacol Res 1990;22(5):611-617
- Patients who took Seaprose-S showed significant improvements in bronchial inflammation and in the viscosity of the mucus (the liquid’s rate of resistance to flow). Of 20 patients assessed with chronic bronchitis, half took Seaprose, half took a placebo; the researchers assessed the effects by analyzing each patient’s bronchial mucus. 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
- Seaprose-S demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity against many different inflammatory conditions. Including arthritis, edema, pleurisy (inflammation of the lung lining), and peritonitis (inflammation of the lining of the abdomen). Fossati A “Antiinflammatory effects of seaprose-S on various inflammation models” Drug Exp Clin Res 1999;25(6):263-270
- Seaprose-S significantly reduced the pain, edema, cramping, and skin redness associated with inflammation of the vein (thrombophlebitis, associated with blood clot formation). Bracale G, Selvetella L “Clinical study of the efficacy of and tolerance to seaprose S in inflammatory venous disease” Minerva Cardioangiol 1996;44(10):515-524
| Serrapeptase |
|---|
Silkworms secrete serrapeptase to dissolve the silk they produce.
Proven to very effectively break down fibrin and reduce swelling /inflammation in a number of tissues. Mazzone A, Catalani M, Costanzo M, Drusian A, Mandoli A, Russo S, Guarini E, Vesperini G. Evaluation of Serratia peptidase in acute or chronic inflammation of otorhinolaryngology pathology: a multicentre, double-blind, randomized trial versus placebo. J Int Med Res. 1990; 18(5):379-88.
Profoundly reduces pain. Due to its ability to block the release of pain-inducing amines from inflamed tissues. Mazzone A, et al. Evaluation of Serratia peptidase in acute or chronic inflammation of otorhinolaryngology pathology: a multicentre, double-blind, randomized trial versus placebo. J Int Med Res. 1990; 18(5):379-88.
Used in combination with other enzymes plant-sourced serrapeptase is very successful in treating
|
An effective oral systemic enzyme therapy requires an lot of enzymes!
Since enzymes are relatively large molecules, it takes a lot of tablets or capsules to acquire them, Depending on the amount of capsules needed take in 3-5 divided doses.
Effective Doses:
- Disease prevention / Immune system boost. 5 tablets/day
- Acute problem (E.g. injury, preferable to aspirin). 30 to 50 tablets /day; tapering down to 15 to 20 tablets /day
- Cancer requires 70-80/day.
SYSTEMIC (mostly protease) ENZYMES MUST BE TAKEN ON AN EMPTY STOMACH. To allow them to make it to the bloodstream and prevent them being used up for digestion; take at least 1 hour before or 1 ½- 2 hours after a meal.
Use enteric-coated enzymes. Found to survive journey through stomach
PROTEOLYTIC enzyme activity level (HUT – hemoglobin units, tyrosine basis) not weight (mg) is what counts. Beware of products listing milligrams of the enzymes. Ideally, you’re looking for 200,000 -300,000 HUT
Good SYSTEMIC enzymes:
- Naturopathic physician Dr. Michael Murray, author of “How to Prevent and Treat Cancer With Natural Medicine“, concludes that systemic enzyme therapy (e.g. against cancer, fibrosis) should have serrapeptase as a base. Since it exerts more powerful effects than chymotrypsin and trypsin.
- Other experts in the field lean towards serrapeptase, but blended with other proteases. An improved alternative for serrapeptase has recently enter the market, called Protease S (formerly Seaprose).
Ensure a sufficiency of coenzymes to activate the proteolytic enzymes:
- Magnesium (at least 600mg). Participates in over 300 enzyme reactions.
- Zinc (30 mg)
Well tolerated without side-effects
- Except rarely those with protein allergies. Such may not be able to tolerate enzyme therapy
Discontinue enzyme therapy 24 hours before anticipated surgery involving blood loss
References
Beaufort, E. (1990) Reduction in the adverse effects of radiation therapy with hydrolytic enzymes. Therapeutikon 10, 577-580.
Desser, L., Ransberger, A. (1990) Introduction of tumor necrosis factor in human peripheral-blood mononuclear cells by proteolytic enzymes. Oncology 47, 475.
Gonzalez NJ, Isaacs LL. (1999) Evaluation of pancreatic proteolytic enzyme treatment of adenocarcinoma of the pancreas, with nutrition and detoxification support. Nutr Cancer. 33(2):117-24.
Konig, W. (1989) Enzyme therapy in the treatment of viral diseases and carcinoma. Erfahrungsheilk. 38, 455-459.
Rosanova, A.(1964) The present stand of enzyme therapy in the treatment of malignant tumors. Arztl Praxis XVI 36, 1442-1444.
