Proteolytic enzyme (Protease)
The term "proteolytic"
refers to all enzymes that digest protein. Other classes of enzymes include
Amylase a digestive enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates and Lipase a digestive
enzyme that breaks down fat during the digestive process. Each of these help in
the digestion of food which in turn helps with absorption of those essential
nutrients in the diet. In the body, proteolytic digestive enzymes are produced
in the pancreas, but supplemental forms of enzymes may come from fungal or
bacterial sources, extraction from the pancreas of livestock animals
(trypsin/chymotrypsin) or extraction from plants (such as papain from the papaya
and Bromelain from pineapples). The primary uses of proteolytic enzymes in
dietary supplements are used as digestive enzymes, anti-inflammatory agents and
pain relievers.
There are a number of
clinical trials showing the benefit of using oral proteolytic enzymes as a
digestive aid. Proteolytic enzymes are also theorized to help reduce symptoms of
food allergies and as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune
diseases
Perhaps the strongest
evidence for benefits of proteolytic enzyme supplements come from numerous
European studies showing various enzyme blends to be effective in accelerating
recovery from exercise and injury in sportsmen as well as tissue repair in
patients following surgery. In one study of footballers suffering from ankle
injuries, proteolytic enzyme supplements accelerated healing and got players
back on the field about 50% faster than athletes assigned to receive a placebo
tablet(1). A handful of other small trials in athletes have
shown enzymes can help reduce inflammation, speed healing of bruises and other
tissue injuries (including fractures) and reduce overall recovery time when
compared to athletes taking a placebo(2-8). In patients
recovering from facial and various reconstructive surgeries, treatment with
proteolytic enzymes significantly reduced swelling, bruising and stiffness
compared to placebo groups (9-11).