At his New York, NY location, Dr. John W. Phelts, D.C. sees many patient who are in pain.  His favorite types supplements to recommend for pain and inflammation are proteolytic enzymes.

Proteolytic enzymes are substances that breakdown proteins.  Research has shown that they are also powerful anti-inflammatory agents.  In the stomach they help us breakdown food proteins into amino acids, which can then be used by the body for various processes.  When no food is present in the stomach, they are absorbed into the bloodstream and transported throughout the body, where they reduce inflammation and digest scar tissue.

The immune system produces macrophages which digest damaged tissue and debris from injury.  This is a necessary step in the healing process, but the inflammatory fluid that comes with the macrophages causes pain and slows the healing process.  Proteolytic enzymes assist in digesting debris, reducing the need for macrophages and inflammation, so healing occurs at an increased rate. 

The result of inflammation and the healing process is scar tissue formation.  Scar tissue, which is made up of proteins, can decrease the motility of muscles and joints.  Proteolytic enzymes break down scar tissue, thereby increasing tissue motility.  Breaking down the scar tissue also gives the body an opportunity to replace it with the original type of tissue that was damaged for more complete healing.   

The body makes its own digestive enzymes called pancreatin.  Certain fruits, such as pineapples and papayas make them as well.  

Proteolytic enzymes can be found in supplement form.  They can come from animals in the form of pancreatin.  Bacteria (probiotics) produce proteolytic enzymes like nattokinase and Serrapeptidase.  Silk worms produce serrapeptase to digest their cocoons.  Plant make enzyme such as bromelain from pineapple, and papain from papaya.  Dr. Phelts believes that a combination of plant and animal enzymes are best, and this is found in ZymePro by Enzyme Process.  His patients are amazed at how well it works for aches, pains, and headaches. 

The benefits of proteolytic enzyme supplementation are extensive including:
Improving cystic fibrosis
Reducing angina
Reducing the risk of blood clot (thrombosis) formation
Reducing blood pressure
Decreasing nasal polyps
Reducing plaques in atherosclerosis
Improving muscle recovery and healing after intense exercise, which is important for enhancing lean muscle mass.  This also means less muscle soreness.
Improving chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Reducing postoperative scar tissue
Improving cervical syndrome symptoms
Reducing breast cysts
Improving gum disease

Dr. John W. Phelts, D.C. performs a simple test at his Manhattan office to see if you would benefit from proteolytic enzymes and how much you should take.  Phelts Chiropractic PC serves the 10016, 10017 and 10018 zip codes in New York, NY.  Call us at 212-286-2012 to schedule your consultation.

Sources:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7696449
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19416019
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16308185
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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27785095
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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19358933
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28389065
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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28763875
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15161110
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16308444
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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25395802
http://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/nattokinase-reduces-red-blood-cell-aggregation
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9629509
http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/studies-show-serrapeptase-works-better-steroids-oral-surgery

September 19, 2018