What are Enzymes?

Occurring in every living thing on earth, enzymes are biological molecules that catalyze (increase the rate of) chemical reactions. Almost all chemical reactions in the cell need enzymes in order to occur at rates sufficient for life. They build new proteins, cells, tissues and organs, and also break down these same tissues.

The ability to ward off disease, repair injuries, and sustain the body’s homeostasis are all connected to the concentration and strength of enzymes we have in our bodies. There are over 3,000 different types of enzymes in the human body, constantly at work initiating millions of chemical reactions every second. If we did not have enzymes, there would be no digestion, no blood coagulation, no reproduction, no breathing, and no use of the senses. This gives you an idea of how important enzymes are for the body.

In the body, there are many different types of enzymes. We have all heard about digestive enzymes, which help us to digest our food, but there are enzymes that help with all the other functions of the body as well; these are called systemic enzymes. Systemic enzymes work on the entire system.

Benefits of Systemic Enzymes

Some of the beneficial actions systemic enzymes have within the body are to counteract chronic inflammation, reduce the substances in the blood that can trigger a hyper-autoimmune response, break down fibrin (the substance that scar tissue is made from), and improve blood flexibility and flow. All of these actions can help to support healthy reproductive function.

Anti-Inflammatory Effect
Systemic enzymes help to break down the substances in the blood that create inflammation and infection. This may benefit those experiencing chronic inflammation related to a fertility issue such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids, PID or ovarian cysts.

Chronic inflammation can be caused from and may cause injury to the healthy tissues of the reproductive system that are being invaded by foreign tissue or infection. Inflammation and foreign tissue growth can create scar tissue and adhesion formation in the reproductive organs and the surrounding structures within the abdominal cavity. Inflammation can also cause pain. Pain is a common problem for women with chronic inflammation due to fertility issues, especially endometriosis and uterine fibroids. Reducing inflammation with Systemic Enzyme Therapy may in turn help reduce pain.

Regulatory Effect on the Immune System
Systemic enzymes help the body to reduce the occurrence of a hyperimmune response. One study has shown that they may help to prevent the rejection of the fetus (recurrent miscarriage) and help with other issues related to reproductive immunological imbalances.

Systemic enzymes have also been shown to benefit autoimmune hypothyroidism – Hashimoto’s disease. One study noted that taking a systemic enzyme blend resulted in a reduction of autoimmune antibodies that attack the thyroid. Hypothyroidism can be a cause of infertility or recurrent miscarriages.

Breaks Down Scar Tissue
Systemic enzymes have the ability to break down fibrin, the substance that makes up scar tissue. Scar tissue and adhesions causing fertility issues can form for a variety of reasons, including uterine fibroids, pelvic surgery such as Cesarean Section, PID, damage to fallopian tubes, ovarian cysts, endometriosis, IUD, or abortion.

How systemic enzyme blends eliminate scar tissue:

• The systemic enzyme blend works as a biological response modifier; working with the body’s own immune defense system to moderate the inflammatory response.
• They support cleansing of the tissues and promote better circulation.
• They break down and remove “fibrin”, the make-up of prolonged inflammation and scar tissue/adhesion formation.
• They break down the proteins in the blood that cause inflammation; this facilitates their removal via the lymphatic and circulatory system.
• They support a reduction in inflammation, an increase in proper blood formation, and an increase in circulation, which helps to hinder scar tissue and adhesion formation, while also reducing pain.

Improves Blood Flow

Proteolytic enzymes improve blood flow by increasing the flexibility of red blood cells, inhibiting the aggregation of platelets, and helping to prevent abnormal blood clotting. Systemic enzymes also help to support cleansing of the tissues and promote better circulation as well as stimulate formation of new, healthy tissue. Simplified, they make the blood less “sticky”. This is beneficial for reproductive health in many ways.

The blood-cleansing actions of systemic enzymes help to bring proper circulation to the reproductive system and get the “stagnant blood” cleared out, helping to remove toxins and also bringing fresh, oxygenated blood to your uterus, ovaries, and eggs. Imbalances which are considered stagnant are endometriosis, PCOS, heavy dark menses, ovarian cysts, and uterine fibroids. The fresh, oxygenated, free-flowing blood is also able to transport more nutrients to the eggs, supporting egg health.

Types of Systemic Enzymes and Their Actions:

The benefits mentioned above have been validated through a variety of studies and clinical use on the following enzymes:

• Serratiopeptidase (Serrapeptase) breaks down proteins, fibrin and mucus, to support the body in maintaining normal blood flow/circulation to the reproductive organs, aid in healthy fluid retention, and support a healthy inflammatory response.
• Bromelain, extracted from the core and stem of the pineapple, breaks down protein and is beneficial as an anti-inflammatory.
• Protease digests proteins to help improve the body’s immune system response to invaders; invaders are proteins in the form of fibrin which is the tissue that makes up a scar and some blood clots and contributes to Candida overgrowth.
• Nattokinase enhances the body’s production of plasmin, the enzyme that dissolves and breaks down fibrin, to support healthy scar tissue formation by the body, while supporting heart health and healthy blood clotting.
• Lipase breaks down fats for proper absorption in the intestines supporting the body’s ability to properly absorb fat which is very important for reproductive health, helps the body achieve optimal pH balance, and helps maintain a healthy weight.
• Amylase breaks down carbohydrates, helping the body regulate glucose levels and achieve optimal ph balance, both necessary for healthy fertility; it promotes a healthy blood and environment within the female reproductive organs.
• Papain, extracted from papaya, breaks down protein and is most beneficial as an anti-inflammatory.

These specific enzymes have been combined in a systemic enzyme blend formulated specifically for fertility; see it here…

Important note: Both amylase and lipase help improve the breakdown and absorption of food nutrients to free up pancreatic enzymes for boosting immune and inflammatory responses, and fight toxin buildup with the body.

Systemic Enzyme Therapy for Fertility

Systemic Enzyme Therapy is a natural method utilizing these unique enzymes to help support reproductive health and fertility. There are many fertility issues that may be supported with the use of systemic enzymes. Plan on using them for at least 3 months or more before you begin trying to get pregnant, depending on how long the issues have been around. Here are some of the issues systemic enzymes may help with:

Endometriosis
Systemic Enzyme Therapy is one of the best and most effective natural therapies for endometriosis. Systemic enzymes may help to reduce scar tissue and break down the excess tissues left from endometriosis.

Systemic Enzyme Therapy may also aid women who have endometriosis by reducing the inflammation caused from the scar tissue irritating the surrounding organs and may help with the pain that sometimes comes from having endometriosis.

The blood-cleansing actions of this therapy help to bring proper circulation to the reproductive system and get the “stagnant blood” cleared out, bringing fresh oxygenated blood to your uterus and ovaries. For this reason, consider starting a natural fertility program for endometriosis with The Fertility Cleanse and, when that is complete, Systemic Enzyme Therapy and other natural therapies can be started.

For endometriosis it is suggested to stay on the Systemic Enzyme Therapy for at least three months prior to trying to get pregnant so all of the stagnant tissues and scar tissues can be cleared.

Recurrent Miscarriage
For recurrent pregnancy losses caused from either immunological response or blood clotting issues, Systemic Enzyme Therapy is an effective option. In a five-year study, women who had experienced recurrent miscarriage due to immunological response (more than 30% of miscarriages) were put on a systemic enzyme supplement before and during their pregnancies. 79% of the women carried out their pregnancies to term and gave birth to healthy babies. (Forum Immunologie, 2000) This is an amazing discovery. The only options available before this study were anti-immunological agents similar to the type used in transplant patients, but most doctors will not use them due to their toxicity during pregnancy.

If you have immune-related infertility and are interested in taking systemic enzymes into your pregnancy, talk to your healthcare provider and ask for guidance.

Uterine Fibroids and Cysts
Systemic enzymes have been shown in research to reduce the swelling and pain associated with fibrocystic conditions. They also help the body through its own mechanisms to reduce and eliminate cysts over time. With uterine fibroids, it is important to also make sure you are reducing your estrogen exposure and actively getting rid of excess estrogens; this can be done with the estrogen metabolizer, DIM.

Using Systemic Enzyme Therapy is one of the most important natural therapies for uterine fibroids. I have not found a more powerful way of reducing or supporting the body in eliminating uterine fibroids.

Old Scar Tissue and Blocked Fallopian Tubes
Systemic Enzyme Therapy can help to reduce the scar tissue, which may be affecting your reproductive system. Systemic enzymes eat away and reduce the formation of fibrin (the material that makes up scar tissue) over time, making this therapy extremely effective at reducing scar tissue.

Scar tissue and adhesions causing fertility issues can form for a variety of reasons: uterine fibroids, pelvic surgery such as Cesarean Section, PID, damage to fallopian tubes, ovarian cysts, endometriosis, IUD, D&C, or abortion.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Systemic enzymes may be effective as medication at helping the body to overcome Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). PID is a general term used to describe inflammation of the uterus, ovaries, and/or fallopian tubes. PID often comes from Sexually Transmitted Disease (STDs), and can be caused by parasitic, viral, fungal, and (most often) from bacterial infection. If left untreated, PID can lead to scar tissue and adhesion formation. If PID advances to this stage, it may lead to blocked fallopian tubes and sterility in women. Two thirds of women who have undergone laparoscopic surgery to determine infertility causation were found to have PID and were unaware they even had it.

A randomized, double-blind study was performed on 100 women with PID. One group was given 5 tablets of systemic enzymes three times a day. The control group was given an NSAID drug in the usual dosage. Both groups were also given antibiotics (PID requires antibiotics). The patients were given the treatment for 16 or 17 days. The systemic enzyme blend performed with amazing results in fighting damage to tissues, pain, inflammation and overall pelvic congestion. 57% of women using systemic enzymes were without any complaints, whereas only 6% of women who took NSAIDs were without complaints. Overall, 100% of the patients who used systemic enzymes reported their condition as substantially improved, compared to only 73.5% using the NSAIDs.

Supporting Egg Health
One of the major factors for increasing egg health is to increase the circulation to the ovaries. Systemic Enzyme Therapy can help to cleanse the blood, increase circulation, and make the blood less “sticky”. For best results use the Systemic Enzyme Therapy in conjunction with the OvaWise – Egg Health Program.

How to Use Systemic Enzymes

For the best results, you must take a high-quality systemic enzyme blend that contains the specific enzymes listed in the ‘Types of Enzymes’ list above. The one we feel is the best is the only fertility-specific enzyme product in existence, Fertilica Choice Enzymes^TM.

Fertilica Choice Enzymes^TM is specifically formulated to be a great ally for many fertility health issues using plant-sourced systemic enzymes in a vegetable-based enteric coating which ensures optimal absorption and utilization in the bloodstream.

Suggested Usage: Adults take three (3) tablets daily with water on an empty stomach. To ensure you have taken the tablets on an empty stomach, take Fertilica Choice Enzymes^TM at least 45 minutes before meals, or 2 hours after eating a meal.

Take on an empty stomach: This is very important. The enzymes need to make it past the stomach to be absorbed in the intestine. Do not take with food. Wait at least 45 minutes before eating and 2 hours after eating to take your enzymes.

Safety & Side Effects

There has been no toxicity shown from using systemic enzymes. There is no dangerous or lethal dose of systemic enzymes. These enzymes are the same enzymes the body naturally produces. Fertilica Choice Enzymes^TM can be used for preconception. Talk to your doctor about continuing any systemic enzyme blend throughout pregnancy (see above information) and do so only with the agreement/approval of your doctor.

Stop taking systemic enzymes two weeks prior to any type of surgery. It is best to begin use of systemic enzymes in preparation for conception for best results. If you are using systemic enzymes for possible miscarriage prevention, please talk with your doctor and get their approval for use during pregnancy.

Use During Pregnancy

Systemic enzymes can be used in preconception and have been shown to be helpful throughout pregnancy to help prevent recurrent miscarriage due to immunological imbalances (see study under Recurrent Miscarriage section) with the agreement/approval of your doctor. Please consult with your doctor or midwife before using any supplements during pregnancy.

Too learn more about related subjects covered in this article, please visit the following links:

Immune Infertility: Natural Options for Immunological Fertility Issues

How Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis Affects Fertility

Estrogen Fertility Guide

Serrapeptase for Fertility Issues

Our Complete Library of Fertility Issues

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