What Is Serrapeptase?
Discovered in the early 1970’s, this proteolytic enzyme was isolated from the Serratia species of bacteria located in the intestines of silkworms. Serrapeptase, also called serratiopeptidase, is truly a superior enzyme that provides strong anti-inflammatory properties. Today Serrapeptase is used all over Europe and Asia in clinical settings and is used as a viable alternative to ibuprofen and NSAIDs. It has the ability to break down non-living tissue in the body.
Serrapeptase is perhaps one of the world’s most exciting enzymes being studied in regard to its wide variety of clinical applications. Currently, especially in Europe and Asia, it is clinically used for anti-inflammatory conditions such as atherosclerosis, arthritis, fibrocystic breast disease and carpal tunnel syndrome. One of the most well-known proponents for this enzyme was the German physician, Dr. Hans Nieper. He had great success supplementing with serrapeptase for the reduction of heart disease and arterial blockage in his patients. He also believed that it may prevent stroke and was even more effective than EDTA chelation for removing arterial plaque.
How Does Serrapeptase Work?
Serrapeptase is an immunologically active enzyme. It can bind itself to the alpha 2 macroglobulin in our plasma where it is shielded from the immune system while retaining its enzymatic activity, and in this way it is transferred to the sites where it is needed in the body. It is this same type of powerful yet specific action that allows silkworms to eat its own protective cocoon, digest it without any side effects and fly away. Amazingly, serrapeptase has the distinct ability to digest only non-living tissue allowing the old toxic layers that clog the digestive system and the lining of our arteries to dissolve. This is one reason why its so good at keeping arterial deposits from building up after heart surgery.
Health Benefits of Serrapeptase
Some of the reported health benefits of the serrapeptase enzyme include:
- Atherosclerosis: Dr. Nieper found that Serrapeptase could dissolve blood clots and reduce varicose veins. Other studies from Germany have found that serrapeptase could effectively remove atherosclerotic plaque without hurting any of the healthy cells along the arterial wall.
- Chronic Inflammation: Multiple studies confirm its anti-inflammatory properties, and it has been used for this reason in the reduction of chronic sinusitis and other chronic or acute inflammatory conditions.
- Helps with Traumatic Injuries: Serrapeptase is widely used in Europe as a supplement for traumatic injury (such as sprains and torn ligaments), as well as the inflammation associated with post-surgical patients.
- Pain, Edema and Swelling: Serrapeptase has been approved as a standard remedy in many European countries for inflammation and swelling. A double-blind German study on the enzyme found that it could reduce swelling by up 50% in post-operative patients. Patients taking serrapeptase experienced statistically significant less pain than the control groups and, by the 10th day of the study, all patients taking the serrapeptase were completely pain free.
- Helps with Cystic Breast Disease: In a double-blind study, Serrapeptase was found to reduce breast pain, breast swelling and induration in 85.7% of the patients taking the supplement. This is related to the fact that the enzyme possesses fibrinolytic, proteolytic and anti-edemic properties.
