This is sort of an offshoot of my other recent thread (training WITHOUT gaining), but needs it’s own place…Does anyone have any decent information on the efficacy of proteolytic enzymes (or digestive enzymes in general)? I want to be sure that I’m getting the most out of the protein I’m eating, and given the indigestion and…well, gas…that I get after meals with eggs/dairy/lentils/beef, I don’t think that’s happening. I know that bromelain and papain are supposed to help, but would consumption of pineapple, papaya etc. be enough, or are there pill/tablet formulas that are effective? Let me know. Thanks.
Are you talking about probiotics? I am assuming that is what you are refering to. If so do a search on the website it has been addressed a number of times if not Sorry can’t help.
Knucledragger, Cam has the right name. I was just looking at that product on Netrition’s site. Kaizen sells it with the name Aminogen. You may have seen it listed on some protein powders. I would also like to get some info on that as well. It is not very expensive. I think it sells for $15/90caps, with one cap. per meal.
I don’t know if this helps, but papaya has been used as natural antacid for years, in the regions that it is grown. I used to eat it when I had bad heartburn, when i worked in the produce business. It actually worked quite well.
John Berardi wrote a little on these lately (I think in an appetite column)and suggests one to use an enteric coated enzyme formula.
Unless you buy ones that over arn’t over the counter they are useless… They don’t reach other small intestine in time to have any effect… I know alot about enzymes, beacuse I have a disease that my pancreas doesn’t create enough enzymes… So i have to take the expensive kind (200+ bucks canadian for 500 pills)… wheather that worth it or not to you is a different story… but don’t waste your cash unless their doctor prescribed… and they are costly
Digestive enzymes can be a big help to people who’s digestion is not optimal. I speak from personal experience as well as many people I have recommended them to. The best kind to get is plant based because they work in a wider pH range and do work even in the stomach. Several companies make this kind of product. One of the best is called simulase by tyler (no commercial interest tyler-inc.com). They only sell to docs, but some health food stores do carry simulase. If that fails, call the company and ask if there is a doc in your area.
Check out Wobenzym, it has a coating that allows the tablet to survive gastric juices so the enzymes gets to the intestines. There’s been a couple of threads on it for it’s effect on tendonitis.
Cam, if your digestion isn’t optimal, then you should definitely try papain. I’ve gone both the pineapple and pill routes, and they both work (although pills are a lot more convenient, and maybe cheaper). I’m sure that my knowledge of digestive enzymes isn’t as extensive as G’s (above), but even if I can’t give you the chemistry of it, I can say with certainty that they work.
Also, while Wobenzym is an awesome supplement for tendonitis, I don’t think that it has any effect one way or the other on protein digestion.
Wobenzyme is very good also. The only problem is that it is expensive if I recall. Simulase is about $30/month.
The reason the wobenzyme is great for tendonitis is because it contains high dose proteolytic (protein digesting) enzymes. The stated theory is that when you have inflammation e.g. tendonitis there is a lot of “gunk” including proteins in the extracellular space. The wobenzyme is absorbed and “digests” the gunk. This explanation may be BS but proteolytics do work very well. I recommend them to anyone having surgery (after) as they reduce swelling and I have had very good results [I use cytolyse as a proteolytic. It is as effective and cheaper then wobenzyme. Note: it is made by a slimy MLM company.
Scott is correct on how wobenzyme works. It increases tissue turnover in inflamed soft tissues (such as tendons). Chronic inflamation can be commonly caused by the body failing to break down and dispose of damaged or dying soft tissues (failure of the body to do it’s house cleaning). Wobenzyme accomplishes this through proteolytic enzyme action. It’s the same protein digesting enzymes made by the pancreas in addition to some other enzymes.
I can only give my personal experience with papain here…I’ve noticed that when I take it with a heavy high-protein meal, the over-stuffed feeling diminishes much faster than without. And by that I mean actual eggs, chicken, steak, etc…not powders. I couldn’t tell you if it actually breaks down the nutrients for better absorbtion, but for pure discomfort related to protein over-eating, it can and will help. I know that if you soak steak or chicken in papaya mash, it makes the meat much more tender, and it’s the basis for a lot of carribean cuisine. I don’t know if it’ll help with the gas thing, but give it a shot. There’s always Bean-o!
whoops, almost forgot…papaya and pineapple work just great, but you might get sick of eating papaya and/or pineapple with every single meal. There are very inexpensive OTC chewable papain tabs which work just great, just chew a couple down along with your steak & eggs.
thanks for all of the info, guys…I figure I’m going to try papain first simply because it’s cheaper and I have nothing to lose. I’ll definitely keep the others (simulase and wobenzym) in mind if papain doesn’t do the job. Thanks again for your insights.
G, if I’m not being too nosey here, may I ask what condition you have causing your pancreatic insufficiency? I only ask because, other than cystic fibrosis, it’s a fairly rare condition that I haven’t seen much of, and I’d like to learn a little more about it if possible.
Hmmm, interesting ideas about Wobenzym. I read a pamphlet that came with my order, and while it said a lot of stuff about how great Wobenzym was (basically it was just a fluffy sales pitch, albeit with some research quoted), nothing was mentioned about protein digestion. Also, I haven’t really noticed any difference in my gastrointestinal protein digestion while taking W. But hey, who knows? Like I said, interesting ideas. Anyone else have any light to shed on this issue?
If you want to decrease inflammation you take the wobenzyme (or cytolyse) away from meals. This way it is absorbed systemically rather then being “used up” in the stomach. This will decrease inflammation, but do nothing to help protein digestion. If you take it with meals, it will help your digestion, but no (or less) will be absorbed systemically to decrease inflammation.
I agree 100% with Scott.
Yep, that makes a lot of sense. Thanks for the tip!
Have any of you guys tried both Wobenzym and papain tablets and compared the results vis-a-vis protein digestion? I ask because of the huge price difference…