Serrapeptase: The Miracle Enzyme?

We’ve talked about digestive enzymes before, and we all know about the myriad benefits of enzymes for digestive health, but systemic enzymes are another class of nutrients that aren’t discussed as much, though they are just as important—from protease and bromelain for heart health and inflammation, systemic enzymes are necessary for optimal health. A new systemic enzyme, Serrapeptase, is gaining in popularity as more research shows that it may help with inflammation, heart health and clearing out mucous, among other things.

Discovered in the early 1970’s, this proteolytic enzyme was isolated from the Serratia species of bacteria located in the intestines of silkworms and used to digest their cocoons. Though Serrapeptase has only been used in the United States for about a decade, it has been used all over Europe and Asia in clinical settings for nearly 40 years.

Also called Serratia Peptidase, Serrapeptase is a proteolytic enzyme, which means that it chops up or digests proteins into their constituent amino acids.  When this enzyme is isolated and coated in the form of a tablet, it has been shown to act as an anti-inflammatory and a pain-blocker, much like aspirin, ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). What’s more, preliminary research indicates that Serrapeptase may even help inhibit plaque build-up in arteries, thereby preventing atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and a resulting heart attack or stroke. Therefore, much like aspirin, this naturally derived enzyme may work to prevent inflammation, pain, heart attack and stroke. Unlike aspirin and other over-the-counter (OTC) NSAIDs, Serrapeptase has not been shown to cause ulcers and stomach bleeding.

Serrapeptase is thought to work in three ways:

1. It may reduce inflammation by thinning the fluids formed from injury, and facilitating the fluid’s drainage. This in turn, also speeds tissue repair.
2. It may help alleviate pain by inhibiting the release of pain-inducing amines called bradykinin.
3. It may enhance cardiovascular health by breaking down the protein by-products of blood coagulation called fibrin. Conveniently, Serrapeptase is able to dissolve the fibrin and other dead or damaged tissue without harming living tissue. This could enable the dissolution of atherosclerotic plaques without causing any harm to the inside of the arteries.

The standard dose for Serrapeptase is 10-60mg (10mg of Serrapeptase is equal to approximately 20,000 enzymatic units), and it should be supplemented on an empty stomach—30 minutes before a meal or two hours after a meal—three times a day. Most studies use 10mg of Serrapeptase taken every eight hours.

Our favorite Serrapeptase supplement is Serrapeptase Complete from Anova Health, which provides 40,000 IU of Serrapeptase per capsule. Each vegetarian and kosher capsule is also micro-enteric coated for maximum absorption.