Enzyme Therapy
By john | March 8, 2008
Enzymes are protein molecules that act as catalysts or initiators for most of the biochemical reactions that occur in the
body. Without these initiators, cells and tissues would be unable to perform all the biochemical reactions required to meet the body’s needs. Enzymes are essential for digestion, tissue repair, and cellular energy. Digestive enzymes break down food for energy, while other enzymes convert this energy for use by the body. Still other types of enzymes may help coagulate blood, help the lungs expel carbon dioxide, and help convert nutrients to make new tissue for muscles, nerve cells, bones, and skin. Vitamins, minerals, and hormones could not do their work without enzymes.
The enzymes used for digestion are produced by the salivary glands, stomach, pancreas, and small intestine; at each step in the process, specific enzymes break down various types of food. The four main categories of digestive enzymes are amylase, protease, lipase, and cellulase. Amylase breaks down carbohydrates and is found in saliva and digestive and pancreatic juices. Protease helps digest protein and is found in pancreatic and stomach juices. Lipase aids in fat digestion and is found in stomach and pancreatic juices. Cellulase digests fiber and must be consumed from plants because the body is unable to manufacture it.
Reported uses
Practitioners of conventional medicine prescribe enzyme replacement therapy to treat specific enzyme deficiencies, such as lactase deficiency, and chronic diseases that affect the digestive process, such as cystic fibrosis. CAM practitioners use enzyme supplements to treat conditions that are unrelated to enzyme deficiencies, on the principle that taking enzyme supplements strengthens the digestive system and a properly functioning digestive system can help prevent and remedy a variety of acute and chronic health problems. Enzyme therapy makes use of both pancreatic and plant-derived enzymes.
Pancreatic enzyme supplements are used to treat viral disorders, for which they work by digesting the virus’s protein
coating, and cancer, for which they work by dissolving the cancer cells’ outer coating, allowing white blood cells to destroy them. There are reports of improvement in patients with multiple sclerosis, and some athletes take pancreatic enzymes after an injury to promote inflammation and thus accelerate healing.
Plant enzymes are used to relieve digestive disorders, sore throats, hay fever, and candidiasis. Specific enzymes may also be prescribed to assist in protein, carbohydrate, or fat digestion, depending on an individual’s health needs.
How the treatment is performed
To aid digestion, enzymes are given with meals. When used for other problems, however, they are given between meals so they won’t be used to break down food. Enzyme therapy practitioners also encourage patients to eat a diet rich in whole foods, with large amounts of raw fruits and vegetables, because cooking can destroy plant enzymes.
Bromelain is a very common enzyme that’s available over the counter. It’s derived from pineapples and is used primarily as an anti-inflammatory agent for conditions such as muscle pain, bursitis, arthritis, tendonitis, and bursitis. The strength of bromelain is given in milk clotting units (mcu) or gelatin digesting units (gdu). Both units are essentially the same. The higher the number of units, the more potent the enzyme, which means less bromelain is required. Therefore, taking 300 mg of one brand may not be the same as taking 300 mg of another brand. Always check the potency along with the amount per capsule. In general, 250 to 750 mg ofbromelain at 1,800 mcu (or gdu), three times a day, is considered sufficient to relieve symptoms associated with inflammation and bruismg.
Hazards
Enzyme therapy may cause adverse GI reactions, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or obstruction. Insufficient information is available regarding enzyme use in pregnancy and lactation. Unless the benefits outweigh potential risks, the use of enzymes is discouraged.
Safety Risk Enzymes shouldn’t be used in patients susceptible to allergic reactions.
Clinical considerations
- Patients with pancreatitis, acute exacerbation of chronic pancreatic disease, or a known hypersensitivity to pork protein should avoid pancreatic enzyme therapy.
- If the patient is considering taking enzyme supplements for a disorder unrelated to enzyme deficiency, advise him that there is no scientific support for such treatment.
Training The knowledge for general use of systemic enzyme therapy can be obtained by attending a several-day seminar on the subject. Specific training is necessary for intracorporeal administration.
Research summary
There is no scientific evidence to support the use of enzyme supplements to treat serious diseases such as cancer or multiple sclerosis. Both consumer groups and the Food and Drug Administration have condemned companies that tout enzyme supplements as cures for such diseases.
Tagged under:Alternative Medicines chronic diseases chronic health problems conventional medicine enzyme deficiencies enzyme replacement therapy enzyme supplements enzyme therapy protein molecules stomach juices vitamins minerals
Topics: Alternative Medicines |
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