Serratiopeptidase, a proteolytic enzyme, is far more important than for just protein digestion. It  enhances the action of some drugs, is anti-inflammatory, capable of reducing pain, lowering blood pressure and bolstering immunity.  Let’s explore the benefits of serratiopeptidase.

Numerous studies in the past 40 years have confirmed the pain relieving, blood pressure lowering power of the proteolytic enzyme, serratiopeptidase. Its action reduces the blood thickening fibrin which is one cause of hypertension or high blood pressure. Numerous studies on hypertension and thick blood viscosity demonstrate that reducing viscosity lowers hypertension, reduces heart attack and stroke.

Numerous studies on ear, nose and throat patients, with unpleasant symptoms also show dramatic relief.

In Germany especially, it has proven itself. In a double blind study of 66 patients it reduced the swelling and pain by 50%.  This was reported in the German publication Fortschr Medical. In another German double blind study of 193 patients, a 97% improvement of acute symptoms was found.  It relieved  sinusitis,  nose and throat symptoms in only 7 or 8 days.

A well controlled, double blind study on 193 patients afflicted with pain and discomfort of ear nose and throat was conducted. The bottom line result of the study, where serratiopeptidase was given, found an improvement on virtually all who received the proteolytic enzyme.  The doctors following the research reported that 97.3% of those subjects on the serratiopeptidase had either “good” or “excellent” results for relief of the undesirable symptoms.  In spite of the double blind study, the control group did show some improvement, 21.9%, perhaps due to the placebo effect.  (Just patient belief whatever was administered would be helpful and beneficial)

Another study done in Europe at the Institute of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology was shown to rapidly reduce inflammation and swelling in patients with ear, nose and throat symptoms.  This study was also a well controlled, double blind one using serratiopeptidase. (Neither the doctors nor the subjects knew what was given…double blind studies help eliminate the psychological or placebo effect)

The Journal of Internal Medicine reported that serratiopeptidase was a top performer. “Clinical studies show that serratiopeptidase induces fribrinolytic (fibrin break up), and anti-inflammatory and anti-edemic (reduced swelling from fluids) activity in a number of tissues, and that its anti-inflammatory effects are superior…”

Inflammation and mucus are undesirable effects of troubling sinus conditions. Serratiopeptidase has proven itself here.  A Japanese study reported in Arch Otorhinolaryngol found that mucus was rapidly reduced with serratiopeptidase.

To summarize the beneficial effects of the proteolytic enzyme serratiopeptidase:

• Enhances some drugs…makes antibiotics more effective, helps pain relievers
• Anti-inflammatory…reduces swelling, tenderness and redness
• It reduces pain and discomfort
• It lowers blood pressure…reduces excess fibrin
• It reduces cardiovascular events…less risks of heart attack and stroke from clots and inflammation
• Enhances immunity…takes out “bad” proteins
• Reduces mucus and congestion
• Reduces swelling

Serratiopeptidase is found in multiple enzyme formulations and can probably be found in most health food stores.  Consult with your medical doctor if you are already on a blood thinner, before taking a proteolytic enzyme…Denis Van Loan D.D.S.

Technorati Tags: blood viscosity, hypertension, proteolytic enzyme, serratiopeptidase

Dietary consideration is a huge factor in their longevity. I would like to focus on a single dietary factor which is an enormous insulator against heart disease.  First of all, I need to explain the dynamics of why it works.

Much of coronary heart disease is because of blood viscosity.  The blood is too thick, placing a strain on the heart and blood vessels, increasing cardiovascular accidents. In addition it raises the blood pressure which is also a significant risk factor in heart attack and stroke.  Likewise, dangerous clotting occurs because of increased friction, especially at the junctions of arteries. These clots can be lethal when they obstruct arteries in the brain or heart.

What is a major cause of the thick, viscous blood?  It is the increase of fibrin. Fibrin is a protein that is like a spider web and is  essential for proper clotting of blood when there is injury. It is kept in balance by an enzyme called plasmin.

Plasmin diminishes with age;  hence its absence is a factor that causes fibrin to be out of balance and excessive. Plasmin is important because it is a protein buster for the protein fibrin.  There are other proteolytic (protein reducer) enzymes, like papain (in Papaya) and bromelain found in pineapple.  However, Nattokinase is arguably the best for balancing fibrin and reducing heart disease and stroke risk.

The Japanese have included this fermented soy product called “Nattokinase” in their diet for the past 1000 years. A Japanese researcher, Dr. Hiroyuki Sumi is credited with the discovery of and isolation of this enzyme in 1980.

Since his discovery of it as a potent fibrin buster, 17 studies have demonstrated its powerful effect on healthy circulation, normal blood pressure and reduced cardiovascular disease. This means reduced heart attack, stroke and high blood pressure.

Cardiologist Dr. Stephen Sinatra is a big fan of Nattokinase and recommends it along with other  heart supplements  in a formulation called NattoPlus.  Within this formulation is 100 mg of Nattokinase, which can be purchased separately at health food stores. ..Denis Van Loan D.D.S.

Technorati Tags: blood viscosity, coronary heart disease prevention

Why does viscosity reduction reduce heart attacks? Quite simply the old red blood cells are less flexible and create significant friction to the flow through end capillaries.  It is believed that terminal capillaries need to squeeze the red blood cell discs to as much as one fourth of their diameter to pass them through.

Since new red blood cells are more flexible , they pass through the capillaries easily. You might ask why is the friction produced by the old red blood cells so significant?  Friction at the bifurcation of the blood vessels causes injury and accumulation of LDL cholesterol plaque there.  Plaque accumulates in response to inflammation caused by injury in the blood vessel.

Whenever there is  plaque accumulation there is danger of it breaking off and plugging a coronary artery. If the plaque doesn’t plug the artery, a blood clot caused by the rough plaque can also block the coronary artery.  The end result is a heart attack.

Another problem with high viscosity is increased blood pressure and strain on the heart. The heart  has to work with greater force to circulate the blood.  The bottom line is blood viscosity is a major cause of heart attacks…often without warning symptoms.  New blood production from that lost by menstruation or by donation greatly helps reduce the thick, viscous blood. This reduces heart attack risk by 88%..Denis Van Loan D.D.S.

Technorati Tags: blood donation, blood viscosity, heart attacks, red blood cells

Why viscosity is a factor  is because thick blood causes more friction, especially at the junctions of arteries. This causes irritation and inflammation there.  With inflammation LDL cholesterol plaque forms to cover the injured area.  This plaque can chip off or send a blood clot down line.

Heart attacks are obstructions in the coronary arteries caused by this plug of plaque or by a blood clot.  Viscosity is a dangerous and sometimes a silent… but fatal risk factor.

High viscosity means greater resistance to blood flow. It make the heart work harder to circulate the thick blood.  Aside from taxing the heart muscle and pushing up blood pressure, its greatest danger is that of heart attack.

You might ask what causes the increased viscosity.  There are several factors and most have to do with inflammation in the blood.

Smoking produces inflammation.  This tends to thicken the fibrin, which is the matrix for clots.

A second risk factor producing thick blood is old red blood cells. With age, red blood cells tend to become more inflexible and do easily pass through the capillaries.  Diabetes tends to make red blood cells stiff.  With regular transfusion or menstruation the old cells are replaced by fresh new ones.

When old red blood cells are still in circulation they sometimes need to pass through capillaries that are one fourth their diameter. Red blood cells are bi-concave discs that need to flex in order to easily pass through the end capillaries.  Old cells creates more resistance, thicker blood, raising viscosity and risk of heart attack.

A third factor causing viscosity is obesity. The toxins and triglycerides also increase the fibrin, raising resistance and risk of heart attack.

A fourth cause is LDL cholesterol, especially the Lp2 form which is more irritating and inflammatory.

Alternative heart doctors often recommend supplements like Nattokinase. It is a fermented soy product that is a proteolytic enzyme. It breaks down the protein fibrin and reduces LDL cholesterol.  (Other proteolytic enzymes are also helpful)

Nattokinase has proven in some studies to even better the the cholesterol drugs and without the side effect of lowering the necessary CoQ-10.

A little knowledge is dangerous, and you should not risk a heart attack by self therapy.  You should seek out a medical doctor who is knowledgeable of alternatives and is willing to use them...Denis Van Loan D.D.S.

Technorati Tags: blood viscosity, fibrinogin, heart attack, high blood pressure