The Health Benefits of Protease

[BABY1]

TweetWhat is Protease?

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 the cell walls of unwanted harmful organisms in the body and 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 studied 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.
Skin Burns & Stomach Ulcers
A 2010 Brazilian study in “Burns” journal found that intake of protease can help cellular 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 a placebo. Clinical trials show that protease enzymes can speed the healing time 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.


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.




Sports-Related Injuries
Research suggests that protease enzyme combination’s may aid in the recovery of sports injuries. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of over 40 people with sports-related injuries found that taking protease enzymes could offer faster recovery, as well as reducing the time away from practicing sports again by up to 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.


Circulatory & 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.


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.

[BABY1]

TweetJust got my Protease from TrueNutrition and I open up the capsule and add it to my protein drink. It really does help me digest it better and I have no stomach upset

[guns01]

Tweetthis stuff looks very promising

[BABY1]

TweetTrue Nutrition | Protease Enzyme Complex 100mg Capsules (120 Capsules)

[guns01]

Tweetmay have to add this to my extensive daily rituals haha