Systemic
Enzymes
I
recommend systemic enzymes as a second anti-inflammatory supplement. These are
different from digestive enzymes, which work in the stomach and intestines to
aid digestion. Systemic enzymes are so named because they pass through the stomach
and intestines and circulate in the blood throughout your system to “digest”
scar tissue that has formed in your fascia.
Enzymes
are chemicals naturally produced by the body and are responsible for many of
its functions. Between ages twenty-seven and thirty-five, the body’s
enzyme-producing capacity drops dramatically. That’s why athletes start losing
their skills around that time. Most people older than thirty-five can’t produce
all the enzymes the body requires. Illness, injury, or poor diet only makes
this problem worse. You take systemic enzymes to restore your enzyme levels.
For our
purposes, the enzymes’ primary role is to circulate through the body and soften
or dissolve scar tissue. But they also act like fish oil, by reducing
inflammation. In fact, these two supplements work together to decrease pain and
increase mobility. Adding enzymes to fish oil is a perfect way to start my
program.
Systemic
enzymes have other benefits as well. They boost your immune system and
deactivate viruses so they can’t make you sick. The enzymes also lower blood
pressure by dissolving strands of tough tissue that clog up your blood vessels.
They’re like a Roto-Rooter, cleaning everything out.
A variety
of systemic enzyme products are available. (Remember, you want systemic enzymes,
not digestive enzymes.) Look for these ingredients on the label: papain,
bromelain, chymotrypsin, amylase, and serrapeptase (also called serratia
peptidase and particularly important for eating up scar tissue). Products I
like include Wobenzyme by Naturally Vitamins, Intenzyme
Forte by Biotics, and Vitalzym by World Nutrition. More potent than Vitalzym is
a product called Vitalzym X, but you can get it only through a medical
professional. Some of these products may not be in stores, but they are easy to
find online. You can also ask the staff in health food stores about other
enzyme products; then check the labels to see if they contain at least the
first four ingredients listed earlier. (Products containing serrapeptase are
harder to find in stores, but you can get serrapeptase by itself and combine it
with a product that includes the other enzymes.) Enzymes can be pricey, but I
believe they are essential and worth the cost.
Dosages. You need a high dosage of enzymes for
the anti-inflammatory effects to kick in. The exact amount depends on which
product you take, since strengths vary among manufacturers, but a good general
rule is to begin with a low dose (two pills three times a day). Increase the
dose gradually, while carefully monitoring how you feel—particularly any
changes in the level of your aches and pains. You’ll reach a point at which you
feel better, called the activation dosage. Continue taking that amount until
your pain is manageable, even if it means taking a lot of pills. However, do
not take this high dose for longer than a week. Some of my patients have taken
as many as ten pills three times a day for severe pain. If you feel you need
more than twenty-one pills a day, first consult a naturopath or
complementary-integrative medical doctor.
Once your
pain level has dropped by 20 percent, decrease the dose to three pills, three
times a day. When your pain has dropped to level 2, decrease the dose again to
three pills twice a day for maintenance. Those older than thirty-five should
stay at this maintenance level for the rest of their
life. (If your pain doesn’t decrease by 20 percent in response to a high dose
of enzymes, consult a naturopath or complementary-integrative medical doctor,
since some underlying condition may be causing it.) Unless you are taking
blood-thinning medications (see “Enzyme Cautions” sidebar), these enzymes are
safe.
How to Take Enzymes. You
must take systemic enzymes on an empty stomach and by themselves,
without any other supplements. If you don’t, they will simply digest your food
and never make it out into the bloodstream to do the work you want them to do.
Ideally, take these enzymes three times a day: one hour before a meal or two
hours after a meal. That way you
can be sure no food will get in their way. Many of my patients complain that
it’s hard to find the strategic moment for taking enzymes in the middle of a
workday. I tell them to take their enzymes first thing in the morning, at night
just before bed, and one time during the day when their stomach is relatively
empty. Although you may not find the perfect moment, it’s better to get those
enzymes into you, even with some food in your stomach. So don’t knock yourself
out over
it—you’ll
still benefit.
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