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 a superior enzyme that provides strong, healthful properties. Today serrapeptase is used all over Europe and Asia in clinical settings. It can break down non-living tissue in the body.Serrapeptase is one of the world’s most exciting enzymes studied regarding its wide variety of clinical applications. Currently, especially in Europe and Asia, it is clinically used for many health conditions. One of the most well-known proponents for this enzyme was the German physician, Dr. Hans Nieper. He had great success supplementing with serrapeptase to promote normal heart and circulatory system health.
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 the body needs it. 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 it’s so good at keeping arterial deposits from building up after heart surgery.
Health Benefits of Serrapeptase
1. Atherosclerosis
Dr. Nieper found that serrapeptase promoted normal blood clotting and reduced the appearance of varicose veins. Other studies found that serrapeptase effectively removes atherosclerotic plaque without hurting any of the healthy cells along the arterial wall.[1] In supplements, it is often used in conjunction with nattokinase.
2. Soothes Redness
Multiple studies confirm serrapeptase soothes redness and swelling.[2, 3] It promotes a calm, harmonious environment in the body at a cellular level.
3. 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 swelling associated with post-surgical patients.
4. Pain, Edema, and Swelling
Serrapeptase has been approved as a standard remedy in many European countries for swelling. A double-blind German study on the enzyme found that it could reduce swelling.[2] by up to 50% in post-operative patients. Patients taking serrapeptase experienced less pain than the control groups and, by the 10th day of the study, all patients taking the serrapeptase were completely pain-free.
5. 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.[4] This is related to the fact that the enzyme possesses fibrinolytic, proteolytic and anti-edemic properties.
6. Helps Infections in the Ear, Nose, and Throat
In one double-blind study, patients with acute or chronic ear, nose or throat diseases found significant symptom regression with serrapeptase.[5] The enzyme can reduce the viscosity of mucous, thus facilitating drainage.
7. Helps with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Recent studies confirm the use of this enzyme for the reduction of symptoms associated with carpal tunnel syndrome.[6] Carpel Tunnel Syndrome is a painful wrist condition caused when a nerve that runs along the carpal bones is pinched. In a preliminary trial on twenty patients, 65% showed clinical improvement after taking serrapeptase with no side effects.
8. Other Potential Benefits
How to Read the Units of Measurement for Serrapeptase
Serrapeptase is measured in SUs (serrapeptase Units). This comes from the Japanese and Korean Pharmacopeias, whereby one unit of serrapeptase is the activity yielding a product equivalent of 1.0 ?g of Tyrosine per minute at pH 9.0 and 37 degrees Celsius on a casein substrate.
Where Can I Find The Best Source of Serrapeptase?
Veganzyme® contains a 100% vegan form of serrapeptase cultured from Serratia marcescens. It comes from all vegetarian, non-GMO sources, is kosher certified, gluten free, contains no animal product and is completely suitable for vegetarians and vegans. Veganzyme is the most advanced full-spectrum systemic and digestive enzyme formula in the world and is free from fillers and toxic compounds. This formula contains digestive enzymes which help digest fats (lipids), sugars, proteins, carbohydrates, gluten, fruits and vegetables, cereals, legumes, bran, nuts and seeds, soy, dairy and all other food sources. Veganzyme may also be used as a systemic enzyme blend to break down excess mucus, fibrin, various toxins, allergens, and excess clotting factors throughout your body.
References (6)
- Kee WH, Tan SL, Lee V, Salmon YM. The treatment of breast engorgement with Serrapeptase (Danzen): a randomised double-blind controlled trial. Singapore Med J. 1989 Feb;30(1):48-54.
- Mazzone A, Catalani M, Costanzo M, Drusian A, Mandoli A, Russo S, Guarini E, Vesperini G. Evaluation of Serratia peptidase in acute or chronic inflammation of otorhinolaryngology pathology: a multicentre, double-blind, randomized trial versus placebo. J Int Med Res. 1990 Sep-Oct;18(5):379-88.
- Kakinuma A, Moriya N, Kawahara K, Sugino H. Repression of fibrinolysis in scalded rats by administration of Serratia protease. Biochem Pharmacol. 1982 Sep 15;31(18):2861-6.
- Esch PM, Gerngross H, Fabian A. [Reduction of postoperative swelling. Objective measurement of swelling of the upper ankle joint in treatment with serrapeptase– a prospective study]. Fortschr Med. 1989 Feb 10;107(4):67-8, 71-2. German.
- Mazzone A, et al. “Evaluation of Serratia peptidase in acute or chronic inflammation of otorhinolaryngology pathology: a multicentre, double-blind, randomized trial versus placebo.” J Int Med Res. 1990;18(5),379-88.
- Panagariya A, Sharma AK. “A preliminary trial of serratiopeptidase in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.” J Assoc Physicians India. 1999;47(12),1170-2.
Dr. Eddy Bettermann MD 
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