Serrapeptase is a proteolytic enzyme. This means that it breaks down protein into smaller components (peptides and amino acids) that the body can now use.
The use of enzymes therapeutically is not a new concept, and has been widely accepted for its healing properties.
Serrapeptase comes from the digestive system of the silkworm, when the silkworm regurgitates serrapeptase to break free from its cocoon.
Scientists in India began to research the enzyme serrapeptase to see how it could be used in the human body.
From the start, they were astonished to realize that serrapeptase is a very powerful anti-fibrotic enzyme! And several more research studies (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) also came to the same conclusion.
What Does Serrapeptase Do?
Realizing that serrapeptase is anti-fibrotic was an interesting discovery because many health conditions are the result of abnormal thickening or scarring of fibrous connective tissue. Known as fibrosis.
Fibrosis is any disease where excess fibrous growth is present such as with:
Plaquing of the arterial walls (atherosclerosis)
Fibrocystic breasts
Uterine fibroid tumors
Scarring after injury
Scarring after surgery
Cystic Fibrosis; affecting the exocrine glands (secreting glands; mucus, hormones, etc.) of the lungs, liver, pancreas, and intestines.
Blood clots; due to the fibrin in blood
The action of serrapeptase doesn’t stop there. It is an effective enzyme against inflammation in all its forms. In other words, inflammation of the joints, the digestive system as well as other organs.
This is done as a result of serrapeptase breaking the dead tissues and excess fibrin, thus eliminating the body’s defense mechanism which is known as inflammation. The body is then able to clean out the burdensome dead tissues and fibrin growths, allowing for the healing process to begin more effectively.
Inflammatory health conditions that serrapeptase is effective against are:
Ulcerative Colitis
Crohn’s Disease
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Serrapeptase, by helping the body eliminate dead tissues and fibrin growths, is extremely beneficial to those suffering from autoimmune disorders such as:
Multiple Sclerosis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Psoriasis
Allergies
Cancer
Serrapeptase in these cases, not only break-down the dead fibrin tissues, but also serve as a healthy alternative to NSAIDS (aspirin, ibuprofen), and powerful steroids that are sometimes used for pain control.
Serrapeptase: An Enzyme You Should Not Be Without!
Conditions that have been helped by Serrapeptase
Pain (of all kinds)
Arthritis
Arterial plaque
Headaches caused by inflammation
Multiple Sclerosis
Lupus
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Psoriasis
Emphysema
Bronchitis
Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Asthma
Sinusitis
Eye conditions caused by inflammation
Injuries and trauma
Post operative scarring
Inflammatory bowels diseases
Cystitis
Fibroid tumors
Fibromyalgia
Fibrocystic diseases
Varicose Veins
Cardiovascular diseases
Subclinical chronic inflammation; premature aging
Dosages
Regarding the conversion of mg and IU for serrapeptase, the answer is not that easy. There appears to be a different standard of conversion depending on what company you choose to buy from. There is some research that has used the ratio of mg of serrapeptase which equals 20,000 units of activity, however not exclusively.
There has also been research done with 200 mg or 20,000 IU.
With this in mind, it would be best to not try to compare the two, but rather stick to one measurement or another.
The dosage varies depending on the condition you are trying to address or if you are simply using the enzyme for maintenance purposes. However for purposes of dosages, we will use serratiopeptidase units (SPU).
Dosages range from:
10,000 SPU – 250, 000 SPU
Take 1 – 2 capsule per day for minor ailments or maintenance. The therapeutic dosages can be as high as taking to 7 capsules of 250,000 SPU twice per day.
Serrapeptase should be taken on an empty stomach for best results.
There doses seem to be the concern regarding the “blood thinning” properties of serrapeptase, so let’s clarify what is really meant by “blood thinners”.
Technically, the blood cannot get “thin”. What happens when you take something that acts to “thin the blood”, like an Aspirin or something stronger such as Coumadin, is that the blood becomes less viscous (less sticky) so the blood can then flow more freely. The blood itself has not changed, but rather the mechanism that allows (or disallows) for free flow has. This is a subtle concept, more an important one.
There are many things that can impede blood flow such as:
Platelets sticking together
Clotting
Plaquing
Inflammation
See, Serrapeptase: Carotid Artery Blockage
With the use of serrapeptase, any of the above can be remedied and the research has proved it. However, the question is…will serrapeptase interfere with a drug therapy being used to “thin the blood”?
There appears to be no concerns with taking serrapeptase at the lower dosages. The really cool thing about this enzyme is that whether you take lower doses or higher doses, you will ultimately achieve the same effect. One just takes a bit longer than the other.
If you are concerned regarding any interactions, please consult a knowledgeable doctor. I say knowledgeable because this enzyme has a great deal of research supporting it. So if your current doctor dismisses the idea of trying serrapeptase, he/she is basing the opinion without having read the research. If that is the case, please seek out a doctor that is open to all methods of healing. Especially methods that have been shown to be effective as well as better for your overall health!
Remember, there is only one you…it is your right to be in control of your health! 900 words