Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBenefitsSide EffectsDosage and PreparationFood Sources
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Benefits
Side Effects
Dosage and Preparation
Food Sources
Chymotrypsin can be taken orally or applied topically and is generally considered safe. In terms of side effects, some people may encounter gastrointestinal discomfort after taking the supplement, and in rare cases, it could cause allergic reactions.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements the way it regulates prescription drugs. That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says. Whenchoosing a supplement, look for independently tested products and consult a healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), or pharmacist.
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Benefits of Chymotrypsin Supplements
Chymotrypsin is most often combined with other enzymes to provide some potential health benefits.
Arthritis
Proteolytic enzymes such as chymotrypsin are essential regulators and modulators of the body’s inflammatory system. When taken in combination with other proteolytic enzymes (e.g.,bromelain,rutin,trypsin), chymotrypsin may improve the symptoms of osteoarthritis and other degenerative joint diseases.
In a randomized trial of subjects with moderate-to-severeknee osteoarthritis, individuals who were given Wobenzym (an oral supplement enzyme combination containing chymotrypsin) experienced a reduction in pain and increased joint mobility and function, similar to the relief felt when taking a commonly prescribed nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).
Some people may notice an improvement within three to seven days when taking chymotrypsin. However, it is most common for those living with chronic conditions such as arthritis to take one to three months before noticing a change.
Wound Healing and Tissue Repair
Research shows that when used in combination with the enzyme trypsin, it can be applied topically to the skin to remove dead tissue from wounds and expedite healing.The two enzymes work together to reduce inflammation and reduce pain associated with healing.
A study conducted in India found that chymotrypsin may be helpful in expediting healing after orthopedic surgery. Patients who were given tablets containing chymotrypsin, experienced a significant reduction in pain, reduced swelling, and wound discharge post-surgery.
Digestion
Chymotrypsin is an enzyme that helps break down the protein in the foods we eat and converts them into peptides and amino acids. If your body isn’t producing enough of this enzyme or other digestive enzymes, you may experience discomfort after eating, such as gassiness, cramping, and abdominal pain.
Using Digestive Enzyme Supplements
Respiratory Issues
There is some evidence that chymotrypsin may help loosen mucus in people with respiratory conditions like bronchitis, asthma and other conditions that cause cough.
Chymotrypsin has also been tested as component of a nasal spray in people with infectious rhinitis. Researchers found that the chymotrypsin spray was significantly more effective than a conventional nasal spray.
More research is needed, however, before chymotrypsin can be recommended as a treatment for respiratory or sinus problems.
Cataract Surgery
Historically, chymotrypsin was used during a surgical procedure known as intracapsular cataract extraction (ICCE) to dissolve the fibers that keep the lens of the eye in place. However, chymotrypsin is no longer used for this purpose.
Burns
There is some evidence that an oral preparation of trypsin/chymotrypsin can help speed healing in people with severe burns. When taken orally, the enzyme combination reduces tissue damage and improves antioxidant levels.
Fractures
The trypsin/chymotrypsin combination may also be helpful for people who have injuries, including bone factures. There is some evidence that its use may reduce edema and bleeding and may reduce complications after surgery to repair these types of injuries.
Also Known AsYou may see chymotrypsin also called:A-ChymotrypsinA-ChymotrypsineChymotrypsinumQuimotripsina
Also Known As
You may see chymotrypsin also called:A-ChymotrypsinA-ChymotrypsineChymotrypsinumQuimotripsina
You may see chymotrypsin also called:
Side Effects of Chymotrypsin Supplements
In rare cases, chymotrypsin may cause allergic reactions in some individuals, causing itching, shortness of breath, swelling of the lips or throat, or loss of consciousness.
It is important to speak with your healthcare provider before supplementing with chymotrypsin, as they can advise you on dosage and its effectiveness for your particular health concern.
Avoid use of chymotrypsin if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, as not enough is known about the use of chymotrypsin in these populations.
Chymotrypsin is available as a dietary supplement in capsule and tablet forms. It is most typically found in supplements that blend chymotrypsin with other digestive enzymes. When prescribed, it may be applied topically (particularly when treating tissue injuries/burns) or given as an injection when used in clinical hospital settings.
The dosage of chymotrypsin you take will depend on the condition being treated as well as age, overall health, and other factors. In all cases, it is important to follow the directions on the label to ensure you are using the correct amount.
Capsules or tablets taken orally should be taken with water to help activate the enzyme in the body. If you are taking it to aid in digestion, be sure to take it either before, during, or just after meals to see improvements in digestion.
If taken to reduce inflammation in the body, take on an empty stomach. Most notice improvements after three to 78 days of taking the supplement. If you are taking chymotrypsin for a chronic condition (e.g., arthritis), it may take more time (one to three months to notice improvement in symptoms).
Food Sources of Chymotrypsin
Chymotrypsin is found in the pancreas of animals (including cattle). Other proteolytic enzymes (such as bromelain and papain) are found in more accessible sources, including fresh fruits and fermented foods. These include:
Summary
Chymotrypsin is a digestive enzyme that is sometimes used as a supplement to treat a variety of health conditions. Some of the conditions it’s been used for include arthritis, wound and burn healing, digestive issues, and respiratory problems.
Chymotrypsin is generally considered safe and is unlikely to cause serious side effects. Consult your healthcare provider before taking chymotrypsin or any other supplement.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Bolten WW, Glade MJ, Raum S, Ritz BW.The safety and efficacy of an enzyme combination in managing knee osteoarthritis pain in adults: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.Arthritis. 2015;2015:251521. doi:10.1155/2015/251521Edakkanambeth Varayil J, Bauer BA, Hurt RT.Over-the-counter enzyme supplements: What a clinician needs to know.Mayo Clin Proc. 2014;89(9):1307-1312. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2014.05.015Shah D, Mital K.The role of trypsin: Chymotrypsin in tissue repair.Adv Ther. 2018;35(1):31-42. doi:10.1007/s12325-017-0648-yChandanwale A, Langade D, Sonawane D, Gavai P.A randomized, clinical trial to evaluate efficacy and tolerability of trypsin: Chymotrypsin as compared to serratiopeptidase and trypsin:bromelain:rutoside in wound managementAdv Ther. 2017;34(1):180-198. doi:10.1007/s12325-016-0444-0Rawski RI, Sanecki PT, Dżugan M, Kijowska K.The evidence of proteases in sprouted seeds and their application for animal protein digestion.Chem Zvesti. 2018;72(5):1213-1221. doi:10.1007/s11696-017-0341-2Xiong L, Rao X, Peng X, Zhang G, Liu H.Management of plastic bronchitis using α-chymotrypsin: A novel treatment modality.Cureus. 2021;13(2):e13551. doi:10.7759/cureus.13551Ma ZuoPeng MZ, Pang HuaiXia PH, Ma Zhen MZ, Ge Yuan GY, Wang JingJing WJ.Clinical effect of Bi Lang combined with chymotrypsin in treatment of children with rhinitis.Chinese J Nosocomiol, 2017;27(24):5695-5698. doi:10.5555/20183222937Koenig SB.Intracapsular cataract extraction for the management of dense cataracts and zonular weakness.J Clin Ophthalmol. 2019;3.Varayil JE, Bauer BA, Hurt RT.Over the counter enzyme supplementation: What a clinician needs to know.Mayo Clin Proc. 2014;89(9):1307-1312. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2014.05.015
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Bolten WW, Glade MJ, Raum S, Ritz BW.The safety and efficacy of an enzyme combination in managing knee osteoarthritis pain in adults: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.Arthritis. 2015;2015:251521. doi:10.1155/2015/251521Edakkanambeth Varayil J, Bauer BA, Hurt RT.Over-the-counter enzyme supplements: What a clinician needs to know.Mayo Clin Proc. 2014;89(9):1307-1312. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2014.05.015Shah D, Mital K.The role of trypsin: Chymotrypsin in tissue repair.Adv Ther. 2018;35(1):31-42. doi:10.1007/s12325-017-0648-yChandanwale A, Langade D, Sonawane D, Gavai P.A randomized, clinical trial to evaluate efficacy and tolerability of trypsin: Chymotrypsin as compared to serratiopeptidase and trypsin:bromelain:rutoside in wound managementAdv Ther. 2017;34(1):180-198. doi:10.1007/s12325-016-0444-0Rawski RI, Sanecki PT, Dżugan M, Kijowska K.The evidence of proteases in sprouted seeds and their application for animal protein digestion.Chem Zvesti. 2018;72(5):1213-1221. doi:10.1007/s11696-017-0341-2Xiong L, Rao X, Peng X, Zhang G, Liu H.Management of plastic bronchitis using α-chymotrypsin: A novel treatment modality.Cureus. 2021;13(2):e13551. doi:10.7759/cureus.13551Ma ZuoPeng MZ, Pang HuaiXia PH, Ma Zhen MZ, Ge Yuan GY, Wang JingJing WJ.Clinical effect of Bi Lang combined with chymotrypsin in treatment of children with rhinitis.Chinese J Nosocomiol, 2017;27(24):5695-5698. doi:10.5555/20183222937Koenig SB.Intracapsular cataract extraction for the management of dense cataracts and zonular weakness.J Clin Ophthalmol. 2019;3.Varayil JE, Bauer BA, Hurt RT.Over the counter enzyme supplementation: What a clinician needs to know.Mayo Clin Proc. 2014;89(9):1307-1312. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2014.05.015
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Bolten WW, Glade MJ, Raum S, Ritz BW.The safety and efficacy of an enzyme combination in managing knee osteoarthritis pain in adults: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.Arthritis. 2015;2015:251521. doi:10.1155/2015/251521Edakkanambeth Varayil J, Bauer BA, Hurt RT.Over-the-counter enzyme supplements: What a clinician needs to know.Mayo Clin Proc. 2014;89(9):1307-1312. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2014.05.015Shah D, Mital K.The role of trypsin: Chymotrypsin in tissue repair.Adv Ther. 2018;35(1):31-42. doi:10.1007/s12325-017-0648-yChandanwale A, Langade D, Sonawane D, Gavai P.A randomized, clinical trial to evaluate efficacy and tolerability of trypsin: Chymotrypsin as compared to serratiopeptidase and trypsin:bromelain:rutoside in wound managementAdv Ther. 2017;34(1):180-198. doi:10.1007/s12325-016-0444-0Rawski RI, Sanecki PT, Dżugan M, Kijowska K.The evidence of proteases in sprouted seeds and their application for animal protein digestion.Chem Zvesti. 2018;72(5):1213-1221. doi:10.1007/s11696-017-0341-2Xiong L, Rao X, Peng X, Zhang G, Liu H.Management of plastic bronchitis using α-chymotrypsin: A novel treatment modality.Cureus. 2021;13(2):e13551. doi:10.7759/cureus.13551Ma ZuoPeng MZ, Pang HuaiXia PH, Ma Zhen MZ, Ge Yuan GY, Wang JingJing WJ.Clinical effect of Bi Lang combined with chymotrypsin in treatment of children with rhinitis.Chinese J Nosocomiol, 2017;27(24):5695-5698. doi:10.5555/20183222937Koenig SB.Intracapsular cataract extraction for the management of dense cataracts and zonular weakness.J Clin Ophthalmol. 2019;3.Varayil JE, Bauer BA, Hurt RT.Over the counter enzyme supplementation: What a clinician needs to know.Mayo Clin Proc. 2014;89(9):1307-1312. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2014.05.015
Bolten WW, Glade MJ, Raum S, Ritz BW.The safety and efficacy of an enzyme combination in managing knee osteoarthritis pain in adults: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.Arthritis. 2015;2015:251521. doi:10.1155/2015/251521
Edakkanambeth Varayil J, Bauer BA, Hurt RT.Over-the-counter enzyme supplements: What a clinician needs to know.Mayo Clin Proc. 2014;89(9):1307-1312. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2014.05.015
Shah D, Mital K.The role of trypsin: Chymotrypsin in tissue repair.Adv Ther. 2018;35(1):31-42. doi:10.1007/s12325-017-0648-y
Chandanwale A, Langade D, Sonawane D, Gavai P.A randomized, clinical trial to evaluate efficacy and tolerability of trypsin: Chymotrypsin as compared to serratiopeptidase and trypsin:bromelain:rutoside in wound managementAdv Ther. 2017;34(1):180-198. doi:10.1007/s12325-016-0444-0
Rawski RI, Sanecki PT, Dżugan M, Kijowska K.The evidence of proteases in sprouted seeds and their application for animal protein digestion.Chem Zvesti. 2018;72(5):1213-1221. doi:10.1007/s11696-017-0341-2
Xiong L, Rao X, Peng X, Zhang G, Liu H.Management of plastic bronchitis using α-chymotrypsin: A novel treatment modality.Cureus. 2021;13(2):e13551. doi:10.7759/cureus.13551
Ma ZuoPeng MZ, Pang HuaiXia PH, Ma Zhen MZ, Ge Yuan GY, Wang JingJing WJ.Clinical effect of Bi Lang combined with chymotrypsin in treatment of children with rhinitis.Chinese J Nosocomiol, 2017;27(24):5695-5698. doi:10.5555/20183222937
Koenig SB.Intracapsular cataract extraction for the management of dense cataracts and zonular weakness.J Clin Ophthalmol. 2019;3.
Varayil JE, Bauer BA, Hurt RT.Over the counter enzyme supplementation: What a clinician needs to know.Mayo Clin Proc. 2014;89(9):1307-1312. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2014.05.015
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