Pain, swelling, scar tissue, these are commonly associated with sports injury, but in our line of work, they are commonly experienced by women with reproductive health issues. From endometriosis, uterine fibroids to Ashermans syndrome, women with fertility health problems are constantly looking for relief from their uncomfortable symptoms.
The drugs and procedures they are offered often aren’t as effective as they would like them to be, may have side effects and time and again don’t solve the root of the problem. This leads women to look for alternatives. One increasingly popular natural alternative is enzyme therapy. With a plethora of enzymes out there, how’s a gal supposed to know which ones are best for fertility health issues?
Enzyme Therapy for Fertility
In our practice, we like to work with Systemic Enzyme Therapy, which consists of a blend of specific enzymes shown through research to be beneficial to women with infertility. Systemic Enzyme Therapy isn’t very well known though, and when people first become interested in enzyme therapy, they begin doing research and may stumble upon information about a specific enzyme known as serrapeptase, and for good reason. Serrapeptase’s benefits may help women with reproductive health issues feel better and take part in healing their body, from the inside out.
There are distinct differences between serrapeptase and Systemic Enzyme Therapy. My goal is to help you learn the difference between the two and why we prefer to work with the group of enzymes that make up Systemic Enzyme Therapy, rather than serrapeptase alone…
What is Serrapeptase and What Does it Do?
Serrapeptase, also referred to as serratiopeptidase, is a proteolytic enzyme, or a protease that works to break up, digest, and assist the body in removing unnecessary proteins circulating in the bloodstream (necrotic debris and fibrin) that deposit at the site of inflammation or injury within the body. Both are known to be contributors to chronic illness. Proteolytic enzymes also have been found to be pain relieving through their ability to block the release of pain-producing amines* from inflamed tissues.
In the 1970s, serrapeptase was discovered in the digestive tract of Japanese silk worms and found to be produced by the non-pathogenic bacteria called Serratia sp. E-15 thriving there. Many resources still share that serrapeptase come from silk worms. This is false, at least for serrapeptase products manufactured in the US. Due to demand after its discovery and initial research findings, serrapeptase is now largely produced through microbial fermentation in laboratory settings.
Using Serrapeptase for Female Fertility Issues
Research also shows serrapeptase has the ability to dissolve and digest non-living tissue – scars, fibrous cysts in the breasts and uterus, and blood clots.
Studies out of Singapore and Japan reveal that 85.7% of female participants with fibrocystic breast disease experiencing breast engorgement (swelling), pain and firmness, showed moderate to marked improvement after undergoing serrapeptase therapy versus those receiving a placebo.
Extensive research has been conducted on the ability of serrapeptase to reduce chronic inflammation and support a healthy immune response within the body to reduce inflammation and swelling. Serrapeptase does this by digesting the biofilm (fluid bubble) at the site of injury or around inflamed or damaged tissues, thins the fluid within the biofilm, and increases drainage of these fluids.
It is because of these actions that serrapeptase is used in natural medicine to treat the following health issues which happen to be common side effects of many fertility health issues…
- chronic inflammation
- pain associated with proteins – often from scar tissue and edema
- viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections
- postoperative inflammation, lesions, and scars
- varicose veins
Systemic Enzyme Therapy with Serrapeptase?
We say, Yes! In all the reading I have done in both scientific journals, literature from enzyme manufacturers and even in opinion pieces by medical doctors and natural healthcare providers, not one person disputes the powerful impact enzymes have on the body, or the way they support the body. What I have discovered is that enzymes are often manufactured and sold in blends containing multiple enzymes and some also contain vitamins and antioxidants.
Choosing a Serrapeptase Supplement
We like Fertilica Choice EnzymesTM for systemic enzyme therapy because it is specifically formulated to support the body in addressing a variety of fertility issues. It is a one-of-a-kind blend and an excellent choice for vegetarians and vegans as it is entirely plant derived (many enzymes come from animal products).
Click here to learn more about the benefits of Fertilica Choice EnzymesTM for fertility health…
Serrapeptase is measured by its potency within a product which appears on the product label with the abbreviations SPU or SU. Look for these measurements. Serrapeptase supplements in general often contain 100,000 SPU or SU and have varying suggested use instructions because its effectiveness is dependent on the person. Enzymes work with an individual’s biochemistry.
Talk to your healthcare provider about taking serrapeptase if you are taking any medications, especially any form of anticoagulant medication because serrapeptase is a blood-thinning agent, or if you are undergoing a medical procedure.
The “Miracle Enzyme”
Serrapeptase is touted as the “miracle enzyme” and has been extensively studied in relation to its effects on the cardiovascular system, otorhinolaryngology (ear, nose and throat) disorders, musculoskeletal injury and surgery, and for its ability to promote a healthy inflammatory response and improve circulation within the body, each area important for overall health including, fertility.
*Definition of amines: an organic compound derived from ammonia by replacement of one or more hydrogen atoms by organic groups.
- Aso T et al. (1981). Breast engorgement and its treatment: Clinical effects of Danzen an antiinflammatory enzyme preparation. The world of Obstetrics and Gynecology (Japanese). 1981; 33:3719. Retrieved from: https://www.biomediclabs.com/what-does-serrapeptase-do/
- Barton-Schuster, D. (n.d.). Fertility Benefits of Wobenzym N. Retrieved from: https://natural-fertility-info.com/fertility-wobenzym.html
- Bhagat, S., Agarwal, M., & Roy, V. (2013). Serratiopeptidase: A systematic review of the existing evidence. International Journal of Surgery, 11(3), 209-217. doi:10.1016/j.ijsu.2013.01.010 Retrieved from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1743919113000265
- Enzymedica. (2010, January 1). Serratiopeptidase (Serrapeptase). Yeah We Have an Enzyme for That, 2222.
- Kee WH, Tan SL, Lee V, & Salmon YM. (1989). The treatment of breast engorgement with Serrapeptase (Danzen): a randomized double blind controlled trial. Singapore Med J. 1989;30(1):4854. Retrieved from: http://smj.sma.org.sg/3001/3001a9.pdf
- Page, L., & Abernathy, S. (2011). Using Enzyme Therapy to Speed Enzyme Recovery. Healthy Healing (14th ed., pp. 28-30). California: Healthy Healing.
- PAN Jue HE Lixian. (2008). Serrapeptase:pharmacology and clinical studies Chinese Journal of New Drugs and Clinical Remedies. Retrieved from: http://en.cnki.com.cn/Article_en/CJFDTotal-XYYL200808020.htm
- Redfern, R. (2014). Serrapeptase Enzyme. Retrieved from: https://serrapeptase.info/serrapeptase-enzyme/
- Serrapeptase Medical Research. (n.d.). Retrieved from: http://www.serrapeptase.org/serrapeptase-research/serrapeptase-medical-research/
