Protease

Protease

The vast majority of metabolic enzymes in the body that help regulate almost every cellular function are proteases or also known as proteolytic enzymes. Protease occurs naturally in the body and makes up 1-5% of all genetic content.^[1] These enzymes are so versatile that they can meet both digestive and metabolic needs in the body.

Proteases are group into six:
Aspartate protease
Cysteine protease
Glutamic acid protease
Metalloproteases
Serine protease
Threonine protease

Each of these protein specific enzymes plays a major role in maintaining optimal health. You can load up on these health-enhancing enzymes by taking protease supplements.

Benefits of Protease

Loading up on protease supplements can give you the following proven health benefits:

Strong Immune System

Protease can help boost the immune function and prevent a wide array of diseases and infections. In fact, the natural killer cells of the immune system contain proteases known as granzymes which help them function at optimal levels. Results from one study shows that natural killer cells and other immune system cells require granzymes for the rapid induction of programmed cell death in susceptible target cells.^[2]

Protection Against Free Radicals and Inflammation

Proteolytic enzymes provide synergistic protection against free radical damage in the intestinal tract due their anti-inflammatory properties. One study found that proteolytic enzymes were able to bring down the levels of inflammatory substances, indicating that protease can help combat inflammatory disorders.^[3] In particular, this makes protease preparations especially useful for people suffering from ulcers, celiac and Crohn’s disease.

Colon Cancer Prevention

There is compelling evidence indicating that certain protease enzymes might help prevent cancer progression. In a recent study assessing the impact of protease enzymes on colorectal cancer, researchers found that the treatment has the potential to suppress the growth and development of malignant cells.^[4]  

Stroke and Heart Disease Prevention

The build-up of cholesterol inside the arteries and vessel walls (atherosclerosis) form a harmful plaque which may eventually lead to stroke or heart attack. Interestingly, a study published in 2009 demonstrated that protease enzymes may help reduce the formation of this dangerous plaque build-up and may have a therapeutic role in atherosclerosis.^[5]  

Faster Recovery from Injuries

A large body of research found that proteolytic enzyme combinations can help treat sports injuries. For instance, in a study of 44 people with sports-related ankle injuries, researchers found that treatment with proteolytic enzymes resulted in faster healing and reduced the time away from training by about 50%.^[6]  Three other studies involving a total of 80 athletes, found that supplementation with proteolytic enzymes accelerated healing of bruises and other athletic injuries compared to placebo.^[7-9]  

Relief from Osteoarthritis

Several lines of evidence suggest that proteolytic enzymes can be in par with the standard drug diclofenac for the treatment of osteoarthritis.^[10-11] For instance, results from two studies show that proteolytic enzyme treatment in patients with osteoarthritis improved joint inflammation and stiffness, as well as quality of life.^[12-13]

References:

1. Applications of Advanced Omics Technologies: From Genes to Metabolites. Elsevier. 8 May 2014. pp. 134–. ISBN 978-0-444-62669-1.
2. Shresta S, MacIvor DM, Heusel JW, Russell JH, Ley TJ. Natural killer and lymphokine-activated killer cells require granzyme B for the rapid induction of apoptosis in susceptible target cells. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 1995;92(12):5679-5683.
3. Tasaka K, Meshi T, Akagi M, et al. Anti-inflammatory activity of a proteolytic enzyme, Prozime-10. Pharmacology. 1980;21(1):43-52.
4. Herszényi L, Barabás L, Hritz I, István G, Tulassay Z. Impact of proteolytic enzymes in colorectal cancer development and progression. World Journal of Gastroenterology : WJG. 2014;20(37):13246-13257. doi:10.3748/wjg.v20.i37.13246.
5. Kim DE, Kim JY, Schellingerhout D, et al. Molecular imaging of cathepsin B proteolytic enzyme activity reflects the inflammatory component of atherosclerotic pathology and can quantitatively demonstrate the antiatherosclerotic therapeutic effects of atorvastatin and glucosamine. Mol Imaging. 2009;8(5):291-301.
6. Baumuller M. The application of hydrolytic enzymes in blunt wounds to the soft tissue and distortion of the ankle joint: a double-blind clinical trial [translated from German].
7. Zuschlag JM. Double-blind clinical study using certain proteolytic enzyme mixtures in karate fighters. Working paper. Mucos Pharma GmbH (Germany). 1988;1-5.
8. Rathgeber WF. The use of proteolytic enzymes (Chymoral) in sporting injuries. S Afr Med J. 1971;45:181-183.
9. Deitrick RE. Oral proteolytic enzymes in the treatment of athletic injuries: a double-blind study. Pa Med. 1965;68:35-37.
10. Singer F, Oberleitner H. Drug therapy of activated arthrosis. On the effectiveness of an enzyme mixture versus DiclofenacW [translated from German]. Wien Med Wochenschr. 1996;146:55-58.
11. Klein G, Kullich W. Reducing pain by oral enzyme therapy in rheumatic diseases [translated from German]. Wien Med Wochenschr. 1999;149:577-580.
12. Akhtar NM, Naseer R, Farooqi AZ, et al. Oral enzyme combination versus diclofenac in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee—a double-blind prospective randomized study. Clin Rheumatol. 2004;23:410-415.
13. Klein G, Kullich W, Schnitker J, et al. Efficacy and tolerance of an oral enzyme combination in painful osteoarthritis of the hip. A double-blind, randomised study comparing oral enzymes with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2006;24:25-30.