SERRAPEPTASE (SERRA ENZYME)
Written by Slawomir (“Swavak”) Gromadzki, MPH
WHAT IS SERRAPEPTASE
Serrapeptase (also known as Serratiopeptidase or Serra enzyme) is a proteolytic enzyme (breaks down proteins into amino acids) isolated from bacteria found in silkworms.
Silkworms use Serrapeptase enzyme to dissolve the protein molecules of their hard silk cocoons.
It was discovered that also in human body Serrapeptase may work as a very effective anti-fibrotic enzyme which breaks down & dissolves hard, fibrotic tissue such as scar tissue and any swollen dead tissue.
Serrapeptase has been used in Japan for reducing inflammation and as a natural pain-killer after surgery, trauma, and in various inflammatory conditions. It is regarded there as the most effective anti-inflammatory enzyme.
SOURCE OF COMMERCIAL SERRAPEPTASE
Although the enzyme is found in silk worms, they are not used in the production of commercially available Serrapeptase supplements. It is extracted from Serratia bacteria.
HEALTH BENEFITS
Since Serrapeptase is a very effective anti-fibrotic enzyme, it is used to treat arthritis, clogged arteries, inflammations, gall stones, scar tissue and numerous other conditions.
Health conditions Serrapeptase can help with: IBD, Arthritis, Gall (Liver) stones, Sinusitis, Blocked Fallopian Tubes, PCOS, Fibroids, Endometriosis, Fibrocystic (cystic) breasts, Cardiovascular diseases, Pain, Cough, Bronchitis, Bronchial Asthma, Lung problems, Chest problems, Emphysema, Diabetes, Rheumatoid arthritis, Prostate problems, Osteoporosis, Breast engorgement, Fibromyalgia, Blocked arteries, Arteriosclerosis, Multiple sclerosis.
PAIN
Serrapeptase is also regarded by many as the strongest natural pain killer which, unlike synthetic ones, does not cause side effect. It is used to soothe back pain, all types of arthritis, fibromyalgia, carpel tunnel syndrome, sinusitis, or headaches.
ARTERIOSCLEROSIS
What is even more amazing about Serrapeptase is the fact that it proved to be able to clear clogged arteries! Serrapeptase was found by scientists in the digestive tract of silk worms which use it to break down cocoon walls. The discovery inspired scientists with the clever idea that the same enzyme could also help to break down dead tissue or clots that accumulate in human organisms. And studies actually demonstrated that when Serrapeptase is used in small amounts for a longer period of time (about 24 months) it is actually able to cure atherosclerosis by cleaning clogged arteries. The enzyme was so effective that it completely cleared previously clogged arteries! What is also important, the treatment with Serrapeptase was free from any side effects.
DEAD TISSUE & SCAR TISSUE
Serrapeptase can safely dissolve and remove dead tissue in the body. In Japan research was primarily shown that dead tissue in other parts of the body that is causing an obstruction to arteries and capillaries was able to be cleared away. Serrapeptase helps with a number of health conditions and people over 40 are recommended to take Serrapeptase so that arterial plaque can be avoided.
BLOCKED FALLOPIAN TUBES, CYSTIC BREASTS, PCOS, OVARIAN CYSTS, ENDOMETRIOSIS
Serrapeptase enzyme is also able to dissolve dead or scare tissue in the body including the one which blocks fallopian tubes. It was found that serrapeptase enzyme helps unblock fallopian tubes by breaking down the dead (scar) tissue which causes the blockade. Not only can it help restore fallopian tubes function but it can also help to recover from cystic breast, PCOS, ovarian cysts, and endometriosis (by dissolving the scar tissue in your uterus). The recommended dose in this case is usually about 240,000 IU per day divided in 3-4 dosages (for instance 4 times 60,000 IU per day) for the first month. After one month it is recommended to reduce the dosage to 120,000 IU per day (divided in 2 or 3 dosages) for another 4 months. It has been shown to start working after 1 month but for the full benefits 4-6 month treatment is required. There are available online accounts of women who claim serrapeptase helped them to unblock their fallopian tubes.
According to Robert Redfern, “Serrapeptase has been highly effective in women who have endured scar tissue inside their fallopian tubes… As a naturally occurring enzyme, Serrapeptase works to dissolve inflammation within the fallopian tubes for example. The inflammatory (dead) tissue is then safely and naturally eliminated by the body, leaving the healthy tissue safely intact. By effectively clearing the blocked scar tissue and inflammation, the body is then naturally capable of healing and repairing itself. Once the fallopian tubes or ovaries are clear, many women find their chances of pregnancy increase greatly.” (>)
HORMONAL BALANCE & MENSTRUAL CYCLE
In addition, serrapeptase seems to help regulate hormones, which in turn will help regulate the menstrual cycle.
VIRAL INFECTIONS INCLUDING CORONAVIRUS
Those already infected with coronavirus may take also Serrapeptase 250,000 IU daily or 80,000 IU 2-3 times daily on an empty stomach. Serratia peptidase or serrapeptase is a digestive enzyme made by a probiotic bacteria. It helps keeps mucus secretions in an optimal state – not too thick and not too watery. Serrapeptase was recently shown to exert antiviral effects by digesting proteins that coat the virus. Other proteolytic enzymes, such as bromelain, may also be effective. Read more on serrapeptase >
GALLSTONES
Relief for Gallstones and Severe Pain as a result of taking Serrapeptase:
“I ordered serrapeptase after it was recommended by a relative. My husband has suffered from extreme pain for 18 months with gallstones and severe pain after eating. It was recommended that he have his gallbladder removed, but we were so reluctant to go down this route, so I browsed the internet for alternative remedies and decided to search natural remedies. Well, when my relative suggested serrapeptase I researched this product and was so impressed with the testimonials, I decided to order some and give it a go, as we were really desperate now and my husband was in so much pain. Although it is early days, only three days into taking the serrapeptase he has had 2 completely pain-free days and is feeling so much better, and no longer scared to eat. We are excited and hopeful, but like I said it is early days and I will keep you informed.” Lynette (source >)
VARICOSE VEINS
Serrapeptase is a blood cleanser and thinner. It also reduces vein inflammation and hardening of the veins caused by calcification. In this way, it helps improve the elasticity of blood vessels and therefore is very beneficial for people with varicose veins and haemorrhoids. “After 8/9 months a side benefit is many of my capillary varicose veins in my feet are gone because of the serra” (>).
KEY HEALTH BENEFITS OF SERRAPEPTASE (SUMMERY)
- Regarded as the strongest natural pain killer & anti-inflammatory aid in back pain, arthritis, fibromyalgia, carpal tunnel, sinusitis, headaches, toothache, etc. More effective at improving lockjaw (spasms of jaw muscles) than ibuprofen & corticosteroids.
- Helps clear mucus and reduce inflammation in chronic respiratory diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis, asthma, emphysema, pulmonary hypertension, cough, sinusitis, difficulty breathing, & overproduction of mucus.
- Anti-fibrotic enzymatic ability of Serrapeptase has been used to dissolve gall stones, post-surgical scar tissue, blocked by scar tissue fallopian tubes (a common cause of infertility), fibrocystic breast, PCOS, ovarian cysts, & endometriosis (dissolves scar tissue in the uterus).
- Has been shown to soften arterial plaque and clear clogged & hardened arteries by breaking down dead or damaged tissue & fibrin – a tough protein formed in blood clots.
- Helps kill viruses and pathogenic bacteria by dissolving their biofilm shield which protects them against antibiotics. Antibiotics are more effective when used with Serrapeptase. Combined with Serrapeptase they can also kill antibiotic-resistant strains!
READ MORE ABOUT SERRAPEPTASE HEALTH BENEFITS >
RECOMMENDED DOSAGE
One capsule (250,000 IU) per day on an empty stomach or at least 2 hours after meal (taken with meals Serrapeptase will be used to digest protein from food) or the same amount divided in 3-4 dosages (for instance 4 times 60,000 IU or 3 times 80,000 IU per day).
In chronic problems benefits are usually noticed after 1 month, but for the full effect, 4-6 month treatment is required. It can be continually repeated with 1 month break after each course.
Although even higher doses shouldn’t cause harmful side effects (or at least they are much less harmful than synthetic pain killers), I wouldn’t use more than about 250,000 IU a day unless the pain is unbearable. Even in higher dosages, Serrapeptase will still cause fewer side effects than synthetic pain killers.
SAFETY
As far as the safety of using Serrapeptase is concerned there are individuals who take high doses for years without any side effects: “I am now 67 and have been taking as much as 240,000IU for the last 13 years on a daily basis. I am convinced that my excellent health is partly as a result of using this product.” (source >)
Serrapeptase dissolves only dead scar tissue leaving the healthy tissue intact.
Only Serrapeptase from not enteric-coated capsules may irritate stomach lining causing nausea.
INTERACTIONS WITH MEDICATION
It is suggested to not take Serrapeptase with blood thinners such as warfarin, aspirin, etc. as it may increase the risk of bleeding. However, according to Dr. Robert Redfern, “Serrapeptase is safe to use with all drugs including warfarin, statins & aspirin.” (>) In addition, those who are on blood thinners and would like to use serrapeptase or other blood thinners at the same time, are often advised to take about 100mg of vitamin K to reduce risk of bleeding. Vitamin K Helps, Not Harms Patients on Warfarin. A new clinical trial suggests that patients on warfarin benefit from increasing their vitamin K intake, as long as they keep their intake levels consistent (>).
“Stop the intake at least 24 hours before a surgery and start again 24 to 48 hours after surgery to help clear up any scar tissue, and prevent lesions and adhesions”. – Dr Robert Redfern (>)
VITAMIN K REDUCES FLUCTUATIONS IN WARFARIN ANTICOAGULATION
It is very interesting that in spite of all the warnings suggesting that people who are on blood-thinning medications should avoid vitamin K, studies have found that supplementing with low-dose vitamin K (50-150 mcg per day) help stabilize the daily fluctuations in blood clotting time (INR) caused by varying dietary intakes of vitamin K.
For instance, according to the five-week study on 60 adults taking warfarin, when vitamin K intake was increased, INR became more stable. On the other hand, when vitamin K intake was reduced, INR became more unstable! (>)
Another study comparing the dietary habits of two groups of patients on warfarin (26 with stable and 26 with unstable control of anticoagulation) showed that the daily intake of vitamin K in those with unstable control was more than 2.5 times lower than that for patients with stable control during the two-week study. The researchers concluded that “Daily supplementation with oral vitamin K in unstable patients could lead to a more stable anticoagulation response to warfarin.” (>)
In the article Is your Coumadin killing you? (The remarkable potential of vitamin K to stop arterial calcification) Dr. Ronald Hoffman wrote the following bottom-line advice:
“If you’re at risk for heart disease, and especially if you’re taking a statin, you should be taking generous doses of Vitamin K2 MK7—from180 to 360 mcg per day. If you’re taking Coumadin (warfarin), don’t avoid vitamin K-rich foods, just consume moderate amounts on a regular basis and continue to monitor your INR via scheduled blood tests. Because it can be a little tricky if you’re desirous of harnessing the benefits of MK7 supplements while on Coumadin, work with a nutritionally-oriented health professional to gradually ramp up while carefully following blood tests, if necessary adjusting your dose of medication to accommodate the additional vitamin K. It no longer makes sense to subject yourself to vitamin K deficiency, which could end up killing you just as assuredly as a blood clot!“(source >)
For instance, it is suggested to not take natural blood thinners such as Vitamin E, Serrapeptase, Cayenne pepper, etc. with blood thinners such as warfarin, aspirin, etc. as taken together they may increase the risk of bleeding. However, according to Dr. Robert Redfern, “Serrapeptase is safe to use with all drugs including warfarin, statins & aspirin.” (>) In addition, those who are on blood thinners and would like to use serrapeptase or other blood thinners at the same time, are often advised to take about 100mcg of vitamin K to reduce risk of bleeding. Vitamin K Helps, Not Harms Patients on Warfarin. A new clinical trial suggests that patients on warfarin benefit from increasing their vitamin K intake, as long as they keep their intake levels consistent (>).
ENTERIC COATING
Serrapeptase should be taken on an empty stomach (at least two hours after eating) and no food should be consumed for a half-hour after taking Serrapeptase, because when taken with meals it will be used to digest food. However, if serrapeptase is not in the form of an enteric-coated capsule, taking it on an empty stomach it may cause a severe gastric upset (sometimes even nausea and vomiting) as its enzymatic activity is irritating to the lining of the stomach.
For this reason, Serrapeptase should be used in the form of enteric-coated capsules which will protect stomach lining against digestive activity of Serrapeptase when it is taken between meals. At the same time, taken between meals Serrapeptase will not be used to digest food in the duodenum, and therefore, it will be more effective.
In addition, enteric coating also prevents Serrapeptase from being destroyed by stomach acid. It is very important as Serrapeptase can be easily destroyed by the acidic stomach environment.
Serrapeptase potency is measured using abbreviations SPU, SU and IU.
SPU (serratiopeptidase units) and SU (serrapeptase units) are the same units and can be used interchangeably. Both SPU and SU measure activity of the Serrapeptase enzyme based on a specific scientific test and are considered the active units of Serrapeptase. Serrapeptase and Serratiopeptidase are just two acronyms representing the same enzyme.
Many companies use also IU, or international units when describing the potency (activity) of Serrapeptase.
However, IU is a completely different form of measurement than SPU (SU). An IU is defined as the quantity of a biological substance that produces a specific biological effect as an international standard and should not be confused with the enzyme unit, also known as the international unit of enzyme activity and abbreviated as U.
Although IU is a measurement of potency, yet it shouldn’t be used to describe enzymatic potency because the method for measuring the potency of enzymes isn’t the same as measuring the potency of vitamins.
Also, in case of enzymes, including Serrapeptase, it isn’t the quantity (measured in milligrams) that can be reliable in measuring its potency but rather the amount proteins such as fibrin that Serrapeptase can break down or digest.
Therefore, the proper measurement for Serrapeptase enzyme activity should be SU or SPU since it is based on a test specifically designed for this enzyme.
However, it doesn’t necessarily mean, that serrapeptase supplements are less effective if they provide IUs instead SPUs (SUs), but it is not the right way to provide information about the enzymatic activity.
RELATED ARTICLES
Studies Show Serrapeptase Works Better than Steroids in Oral Surgery >
How silkworms can end back pain >
SOURCES
http://www.serrapeptase.info/default.asp
http://www.naturalnews.com/026360_serrapeptase_natural_health.html
https://selfhacked.com/blog/health-benefits-serrapeptase/
REFERENCES
– Sivaramakrishnan, G., Sridharan, K. (2018) Role of Serratiopeptidase After Surgical Removal of Impacted Molar: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. J Maxillofac Oral Surg. 2018 Jun;17(2):122-128.
– Klein, G., Kullich, W. (2000) Short-term treatment of painful osteoarthritis of the knee with oral enzymes: randomised, doubleblind study versus Diclofenac. Clin Drug Invest 2000;19:15-23.
– Nakamura, S., Hashimoto, Y., Mikami, M., et al (2003) Effect of the proteolytic enzyme serrapeptase in patients with chronic airway disease. Respirology. 2003; 8:316-320.
– Kakinuma, A., Moriya, N., Kawahar, K., et al. (1982) Regression of fibrinolysis in scalded rats by administration of Serratia protease. Biochem Pharmacol. 1982; 31:2861-2866.
– Esch, P.M., Gemgross, H., Fabian, A. (1989) Reduction of postoperative swelling. Objective measurement of swelling of the upper ankle joint in treatment with serrapeptase-a prospective study (German). FortschrMed. 1989; 107(4):67-8, 71-2.
– Mazzonie, A. et al. (1990) Evaluation of serrapeptase in acute or chronic inflammation of otorhinolaryngology pathology: a multicentre, double-blind randomized trial versus placebo. J. int. Med. Res. 18(5): 379-388,1990.
– Panagariya, A., Sharma, A.K. (1999) A preliminary trial of serratiopeptidase in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. J Assoc Physicians India 1999;47:1170-1172.
– Mizukoshi, D. et al. A double-blind clinical study of serrapeptase in the treatment of chronic sinusitis. Igaku Ayrni 109:50-62.1979.
– Kasé, Y., Seo, H., Oyama, Y., et al. A new method for evaluating mucolytic expectorant activity and its application. II. Application to two proteolytic enzymes, serratiopeptidase and seaprose. Arzneimittelforschung. 1982;32(4):374-378.
– Al-Khateeb, T.H., Nusair, Y. (2008) Effect of the proteolytic enzyme serrapeptase on swelling, pain and trismus after surgical extraction of mandibular third molars. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2008; 37(3): 264-268
– Matsudo, A., Taniguchi, T., Hiratsuta, M., et al., (1981) Effect of serratiiopeptidase (Danzen) on inflammation edema following operation for thyroid disease. Med Consult New Remedy. 1981;18:171-175.
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