4 Amazing Benefits Of Serrapeptase: The Most Powerful Supplement You’ve Never Heard Of
Today we will be talking about a health supplement that is not very well known. This powerful supplement is an enzyme called Serrapeptase with 4 amazing benefits. We don’t typically think of enzymes as healing agents, however, enzymes are extremely important to our health. There are 75,000 different enzymes that function in our bodies to make everyday life possible.
What Are Enzymes?
Humans utilize three main classes of enzymes for bodily processes.
The first class of enzymes are called Metabolic Enzymes (1). These enzymes catalyze, speed up, metabolic reactions. An example of this is Liver enzymes, which catalyze the breakdown of toxins in the Liver. The second class of enzymes are called Digestive Enzymes (1). These enzymes are produced by our body and help break down food into usable nutrients. For example, Lactase which is present in the small intestine, breaks milk down into simple sugars which our body can then absorb. People that are lactose intolerant lack this enzyme which shows how important an enzyme can be for unlocking the nutrients in our food. Finally, we have Food Enzymes which are naturally occurring enzymes in raw food (1). These enzymes start the process of food digestion and are already present in uncooked food. Unfortunately, cooking our food destroys these enzymes, so this is a good argument for adding a small amount of raw foods to our diets.
What Kind of Enzyme is Serrapeptase?
Serrapeptase falls into the category of being a digestive enzyme, more specifically it is a proteolytic enzyme (protein digesting). Although Serrapeptase is a digestive enzyme, it is not produced by the human body, but rather comes from an external source. This powerful enzyme is actually produced by bacteria in the intestines of silkworms. This enzyme allows the silk worm to digest the proteins present in its silk cocoon so that it may emerge from the cocoon as a moth. Luckily for us this enzyme is now produced synthetically so that you don’t have to ingest silk worm intestines!
Below we have listed the 4 most important benefits of Serrapeptase
1. Serrapeptase Can Reduce Pain & Inflammation
Serrapeptase is a useful enzyme for treating pain and inflammation after an injury or surgery. It has been shown to be as effective as aspirin in reducing inflammation in animal studies, without the adverse effects that are typically associated with NSAIDs. This anti-inflammatory effect can be attributed to the various actions the enzyme performs. Recent research has suggested that serrapeptase reduces capillary permeability created by the inflammatory process, which in turn reduces the amount of bruising and pro-inflammatory molecules entering into the affected area. Additionally, it breaks down proteins and excess fluids caused by inflammation, reducing swelling and the amount of dead or damaged tissue in the injured area. Serrapeptase also helps the body absorb damaged tissue through blood and lymphatic tissue, allowing the repair process to begin. Moreover, the enzyme accelerates the healing process and restores skin temperature in inflamed areas.
2. Serrapeptase Breaks Down Scar Tissue
Do you have scars or old injuries that just won’t heal? If that’s the case, serrapeptase may be able to help. Serrapeptase is a type of enzyme that can digest protein and can break down scar tissue build-up called fibrin. Fibrin is the type of scar tissue our body creates after we get injured, such as when we get a cut, bruise, strain, or sprain. But, fibrin is also the kind of scar tissue that our body creates when we have cardiovascular disease, particularly when arterial plaques develop. By dissolving fibrin, serrapeptase might help remove arterial plaques and improve cardiovascular issues. This same process can be applied to fibrocystic breast disease, pulmonary fibrosis, and blood clots.
3. Helps Fight Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria
Many bacteria have developed resistance to antibiotics by producing biofilms, which are sticky secretions that form a protective film around the bacteria. This biofilm can shield the bacteria from harmful substances, including antibiotics. However, Serrapeptase has the ability to dissolve these biofilms, which in turn can help antibiotics and other medications reach and damage the bacteria. Although Serrapeptase does not destroy the bacteria itself, it can be a useful supplement to eliminate unwanted bacterial overgrowths.
4. Serrapeptase May help prevent Alzheimer’s Disease
Recent studies have shown that serrapeptase has potential benefits for Alzheimer’s disease. In a study carried out on mice, they were given doses of a toxin that mimics the effects of Alzheimer’s disease. After 45 days of administration, researchers found that the mice had increased levels of inflammatory markers including acetylcholinesterase, transforming growth factor beta, and interleukin 6. These markers are correlated with the formation of amyloid plaques in the brains of patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. The mice also had a significant decrease in the activity of two growth factors – brain-derived neurotrophic factor and insulin-like growth factor – both of which are associated with neuronal health and repair.
The group treated with Serrapeptase had some surprising results!
A second group of mice received 45 days of oral administration of serrapeptase with nattokinase, another proteolytic enzyme, after the initial treatment with aluminum chloride. This second group of mice had some surprising results. Firstly, they experienced a significant reduction in brain levels of the inflammatory markers acetylcholinesterase, transforming growth factor beta, and interleukin 6. Secondly, their brains showed an increase in brain-derived neurotrophic factor and insulin-like growth factor. This demonstrates that the serrapeptase treated mice had not only less inflammation but also increased healing in response to the toxin. Lastly, researchers discovered that the serrapeptase-treated mice experienced a significant increase in the expression of ADAM9 and ADAM10 genes. The up-regulation of these genes is significant because emerging research suggests that ADAM9 and ADAM10 prevent the formation of amyloid plaques.(7).
Possible Side Effects
Serrapeptase is generally well-tolerated, although there are some potential side effects of this enzyme that one should be aware of.
When taken orally, serrapeptase can cause:
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Digestive discomfort.
- Skin rashes
- Muscle aches
- Joint pains
- Pneumonia
- Blood clot abnormalities.
“If you encounter any of the below-mentioned symptoms, please discontinue the use of Serrapeptase and promptly consult a medical professional. As Serrapeptase is a powerful enzyme, individuals considering its use for cardiovascular or blood clotting issues must be under the supervision of a qualified medical practitioner.”
Potential Interactions
It is important to avoid taking Serrapeptase along with any blood thinning medications like Aspirin, Warfarin, or Plavix. You should also be cautious when using this enzyme with blood thinning herbs such as garlic, fish oil, or turmeric. Additionally, if you are taking antibiotics, it is advisable to consult with your doctor before taking Serrapeptase as they can interact with each other.
Precautions
If you have an infection and are considering taking serrapeptase, it is essential to exercise extreme caution. While serrapeptase is known to dissolve scar tissue, it can also break down scar tissue surrounding abscesses and other infections, such as pneumonia. This can cause the infection to spread further. Therefore, if you suspect you have an infection, it is recommended to discontinue the use of serrapeptase until the infection is fully resolved.
Dosage
When beginning to take serrapeptase, it is recommended to start with a very low dosage to prevent any adverse reactions. Although there is no established recommended dosage, the typical range is between 10-60mg per day. However, a more conservative dosage range is 10-30mg per day.
References
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319704.php
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2852049/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S181808761630160X
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5790697/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4828443/
- https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0960327112467040?journalCode=hetb
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28409746
