The act of eating a meal or just a snack seems simple enough. Pick out the right food to eat and in the proper amount (counting calories?); put the food in your mouth via utensils or your fingers (only when appropriate), thoroughly chew your food as needed and then swallow, and then your work is done, right? Sit back and let your body do the rest.
For your body, though, it is not quite so simple. It is at work all that time and more, its primary task to properly digest all that food and make sure everything goes exactly where it is supposed to go in a smooth and efficient manner without being overworked or rushed. There is a lot going on down there, hidden from view and most of it silent, your inner digestive mechanisms working like well-oiled machinery.
Thank goodness that your digestive system is not a manual operation dependent on your turning a crank or levers or pushing down on a pedal. It can take care of itself well, in large part thanks to what are known as proteolytic enzymes – also known as proteases, peptidases, or proteinases. These are natural substances found in our bodies (and sourced from certain plants) that aid in the human digestive process, particularly in the digestion of dietary protein.
What Are Proteolytic Enzymes Supposed to Do?
Proteolytic enzymes are considered a therapeutic supplement in that they are primarily designed to aid digestion, especially when needed for specific individuals afflicted with pancreatic or gastrointestinal disorders that can hinder proper digestion of food. Trypsin and chymotrypsin are among the proteolytic enzymes manufactured in your body by the pancreas and stomach, but unforeseen deficiencies can thwart the whole digestive process. One study found that people with an ongoing issue of indigestion experienced a marked alleviation of symptoms such as bloating, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite when administered a proteolytic enzyme supplement.
A Little Bit of History
Despite their growing popularity and accessibility over the counter, proteolytic enzymes are still somewhat of a mystery to many health-conscious consumers, even if they are consuming them without knowing it. They are not a recent newfound phenomenon suddenly taking the world by storm. A scientist by the name of P. A. Levene introduced the medical field to proteolytic enzymes writing about his studies in the first edition of The Journal of Biological Chemistry, way back in 1905.
By the 1960s, proteolytic enzymes were being successfully used in Germany and showing not only properties of aiding in digestion, mainly proteins, but also indicating an ability to reduce unwanted inflammation, diminishing osteoarthritis pain, mitigating viral infections, and helping to curtail the effects of autoimmune disorders.
4 Other Things Nice to Know about Proteolytic Enzymes
Actually, just as promised in the headline to this blog, we have already given you at least four important things to know about proteolytic enzymes and how active they are in your bodies. But there’s so much to say in touting these dynamic wonders of health science, that we felt it only proper to present you with four more! They are as follows, in no particular order:
- Another well-known protease found among proteolytic enzymes is papain, which can be sourced from fruits such as papaya and pineapple. Because it is so adept at breaking down proteins, it has been used for many centuries as a meat tenderizer.
- Proteolytic enzymes have found a niche in post-surgical care for their knack in helping to speed up the recovery process.
- These enzymes have shown an ability to not only boost the power of natural killer cells to fight off infections but also weaken invading pathogens that can obstruct the immune system’s healthy functioning.
- A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in the 1960s revealed that administering proteolytic enzymes helped decrease the unpleasantness of breast engorgement experienced by lactating women.
The more we peel back the layers of what proteolytic enzymes can offer in terms of a supplement, the more impressive it becomes, thanks to its wide array of health benefits and purposeful treatments. If you are thinking adding them to your dietary/supplement regimen, consider discussing its usage first with your personal physician or other licensed healthcare professional to find out more if it is suitable for you and your particular health needs.