“Life cannot exist without enzymes.”
That’s rather matter of fact and powerful, I know. But it’s true! Enzymes are proteins that support almost every process within the body, from the breakdown of food into the nutrients the body needs, to encouraging healthy circulation, a healthy inflammatory response, and healthy blood clotting, and beyond. They also help maintain optimal health of the organs of the body, including the health of the reproductive organs. It is for these reasons that systemic enzyme therapy is an important ally for most any journey to optimal fertility.
“All of the glands of the body require nutritional support and replenishment. Their ongoing work includes the production of hormones, maintaining circulation, regulation of metabolic activities and nutrient levels, maintaining pH balance, managing stress, secreting enzymes to aid in digestion, and regulating development of sexual characteristics. When the body becomes compromised in any way, it can become depleted of vital nutrients that sustain the health of the glands.” ~Tom Bohager, author of Everything You Need to Know About Enzymes
In our line of work, those are very important body processes to support, as digestion, immunity, circulation, and blood flow are all involved in reproductive health. Likewise, when these natural bodily functions are out of balance, the many symptoms of fertility health issues can begin to rear their ugly heads. From endometriosis and PCOS, to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), blocked fallopian tubes, uterine fibroids, and Asherman’s syndrome, women with fertility health problems are constantly looking for relief from their uncomfortable, unwanted symptoms. Boosting the body’s natural ability to make enzymes by supplementing with a systemic enzyme formula, uniquely designed for fertility health, is likely to be an important part of your natural fertility program.
Benefits of the Enzymes in Fertilica Choice EnzymesTM
Enzyme supplements can contain enzymes from a wide range of sources, from spinach to snake venom. Rest assured Fertilica products do not contain snake venom! In fact, Fertilica Choice EnzymesTM ingredients come entirely from plants.
The Fertilica Choice EnzymesTM Formula combines Serratiopeptidase or Serrapeptase, Bromelain, Protease, Nattokinase, Lipase and Papain. Each enzyme was chosen for a variety of reasons. They have been studied and found to benefit the body in the following ways.
Serratiopeptidase: Serratiopeptidase is often generically referred to as Serrapeptase. This is a proteolytic enzyme that has the potential to offer many fertility-health benefits like:
- digest tissue (often dead, dying or foreign tissue), yet not the tissues the body needs
- aid in supporting normal scar tissue formation
- break down fibrin, proteins and mucus
- support normal blood clotting
- encourage normal blood flow/circulation throughout the body
- aids in normal fluid retention
- support a healthy inflammatory response in the body and the body’s ability to bring down irritation and swelling to expedite healing, for example during recovery from surgery
Protease: Protease is a proteolytic enzyme naturally produced by the pancreas to digest proteins, turning them into amino acids. The body’s natural and supplemental protease is believed 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 (scar tissue), some blood clots and Candida
- help maintain a healthy inflammatory response within the body
- support bone and joint health
Bromelain: Bromelain is a protein-digesting enzyme extracted from the core and stem of the pineapple plant (Ananas comosus) and is available in very minimal amounts in the fruit or flesh of the pineapple. Bromelain is most notable for its effectiveness in:
- reducing inflammation and decreasing swelling and pain (is an anodyne)
- supporting a healthy inflammation response
- improving healthy circulation
Amylase: Amylase is naturally produced by the human body, by the pancreas and salivary glands to break down carbohydrates. Carbohydrates break down and will eventually become glucose to supply the body with energy. Amylase is also great at helping the body achieve optimal pH balance. Did you know pH balance is necessary for healthy fertility? Proper blood pH helps make conception possible. Balanced pH levels in the body, the vagina included, helps to make a more suitable environment for sperm and egg.
Lipase: Lipase is an enzyme naturally produced by the pancreas to break down fats for proper absorption in the intestines. The body’s ability to properly absorb fat is very important for reproductive health. Essential fatty acids encourage healthy cholesterol production, in turn supporting healthy hormone production and a normal inflammatory response in the body. It improves fat metabolism to take stress off the liver, gallbladder and pancreas. In most supplements, lipase will be combined with amylase and protease. You might be thinking why? As I have shared, protease digests proteins, amylase disassembles carbohydrates, and lipase breaks down fats; these macronutrients are the three main components of any balanced meal. Together they help the body use what it needs from that meal. Lipase is also known to:
- help the body achieve optimal pH balance
- support the maintenance of healthy weight
Important fact: 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 build up within the body.
Papain: The papaya fruit (Carica papaya) and the papaya tree’s leaves are nature’s sources of the enzyme papain. Papain is known for its ability to break down proteins, increase circulation, and fight inflammation.
A laboratory study of smooth muscle cells within the body has proven that papain has the ability to support the growth of additional living smooth muscle cells which may be important for healthy blood vessels, and a healthy urinary and digestive tract. Smooth muscles also make up the myometrium of the uterine wall, the muscles that play a role in uterine contraction that causes menstrual cramps.
Nattokinase: Nattokinase is known for its ability to enhance the body’s production of plasmin, the enzyme that dissolves and breaks down fibrin. In combination with protease, amylase, and lipase, nattokinase has the ability to achieve a high level of fibrinolytic activity (healthy scar tissue formation).
Nattokinase is perhaps equally as well known for how it supports heart health and healthy blood clotting. It may also be useful for fibrocystic breasts.
Enzymes, Our Allies!
Our bodies require enzymes in order to function, repair injury and to fight off pathogens. Our ability to fight off disease is directly related to strength and number of enzymes in our bodies.” ~ Certified Holistic Nutritionist Anne Baker
This unique blend of systemic enzymes has the potential to support the reproductive system in so many ways. Supporting the body’s ability to break down proteins/fibrin, encouraging normal circulation, helping to maintain normal immunological response, aiding the body’s natural ability to reduce tissue buildup, and supporting a healthy inflammation response to help provide relief for occasional discomfort are all actions those battling fertility-health issues can benefit from. Helping the body maintain homeostasis in these areas will help in achieving optimal fertility health overall.
- Baker, A. (2016, March 09). Digestive Enzymes & Immunity: Making the Connection. Retrieved from: http://nourishholisticnutrition.com/digestive-enzymes-immunity-making-the-connection/
- Bohager, T. (2009). Everything You Need to Know About Enzymes. Green Leaf Book Group, LLC. Austin, TX.
- Papain. (n.d.). Retrieved from: http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/life-science/metabolomics/enzyme-explorer/analytical-enzymes/papain.html#application
- Ruhter, E. and Warner, N. (2010). Nutrition & Herbs For Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain. Minnesota.
- Yeah We Have an Enzyme for That. (2010). Enzymedica Educational Material
