What Are Proteolytic Enzymes?

Enzymes play a variety of complex and essential roles in the human body, though they’re best known for aiding in the breaking down of food for energy. Enzymes are produced by fungi, bacteria, plants, and animals, which means they are often synthesized within the body or obtained via dietary sources. This article will focus on one specific type of enzyme called proteolytic enzymes.

What Are Proteolytic Enzymes?

Proteolytic enzymes assist in the digestion of protein, both in the digestive tract and on the skin. There are three types of proteolytic enzymes, called proteases, proteinases, and peptidases. Produced in the human pancreas and stomach, these enzymes also play a variety of other key roles in the body, aiding in processes such as:

• Cell division

Blood clotting

Immune function

Protein recycling

And others

Proteolytic enzymes have been getting a lot of recognition lately thanks to their purported health benefits, and they are now available in supplement form. People who don’t synthesize sufficient amounts of proteolytic enzymes and can’t get what they need from dietary sources alone may want to learn more about proteolytic enzymes that can be taken in supplement form. Otherwise, keep reading to find out about how proteolytic enzymes work and where they can be found in nature.

How Proteolytic Enzymes Aid in Digestion

The three types of proteolytic enzymes produced in the human digestive tract are pepsin, trypsin, and chymotrypsin. They aid in the breakdown of dietary proteins like meat, eggs, and fish. More specifically, the proteolytic enzymes break down the proteins into amino acids, which can then be absorbed and digested.

Common Food Sources of Proteolytic Enzymes

The human body doesn’t synthesize enough proteolytic enzymes to meet all of its needs, so people must also consume them in foods or supplements. The two best-known dietary sources of proteolytic enzymes are papayas and pineapples, which contain the enzymes papain and bromelain, respectively. Other popular dietary sources of proteolytic enzymes include:

• Asparagus

Ginger

Kefir

Kimchi

Kiwifruit

Sauerkraut

Yogurt

People who don’t eat diets rich in fermented foods and the fruits listed above should not be afraid to purchase supplements, instead. Just be sure to buy them from a reputable vendor and start with low doses to avoid digestive upset.

The Benefits of Proteolytic Enzymes

Supplementing proteolytic enzymes doesn’t just help with the digestion of protein. It may also provide a number of other health benefits, including:

Decreased Inflammation

Taking proteolytic enzyme supplements may reduce symptoms associated with inflammatory conditions. People with osteoarthritis, sinusitis and even inflammatory bowel diseases may benefit from taking proteolytic enzyme supplements.

Faster Healing

Proteolytic enzyme supplements may also promote faster wound healing. Papain and bromelain have been shown to accelerate tissue growth in animals when applied to the skin, and proteolytic enzyme supplements can shorten patients’ recovery times following surgery.

Reduced Muscle Soreness

Most serious athletes and fitness enthusiasts have experienced delayed onset muscle soreness often enough to be glad to know that proteolytic enzyme supplements can help. Take them post-workout to speed recovery and reduce muscle soreness.

Find a Reliable Vendor

Planning to start supplementing proteolytic enzymes? That’s a fantastic idea, but only if the enzyme supplements come from a reputable, reliable vendor. Instead of choosing the first supplement available on a drug store shelf, head online to do some research and find a company that provides plenty of information about its products and how they work.