Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUses of Proteolytic EnzymesDefinitionSourcesUsesSide EffectsWhat to Look For
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Uses of Proteolytic Enzymes
Definition
Sources
Uses
Side Effects
What to Look For
Proteolyticenzymes(proteases) have several potential uses, such as aiding digestion, supporting immunity, improving healing, and more. Your body uses these enzymes to break down protein.
While your body naturally produces proteolytic enzymes, they also can come from supplements and food sources.There are some possible side effects and drug interactions when using a protease supplement.
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 third-party tested products and consult a healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), or pharmacist.
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Proteolytic enzymes are said to have many potential health benefits, including:
Enzymes in Your Digestive System
What Are Proteolytic Enzymes?
Proteolytic enzymes (proteases) are enzymes yourpancreasmakes to break down protein from your diet into peptides (shorter protein pieces) and amino acids, which are used for growth and tissue repair.These enzymes may also reduce inflammation and support immune function, though more research is needed.
Other names for proteolytic enzymes include:
Sources of Proteolytic Enzymes
The three main sources of proteolytic enzymes include the human body, supplements, and foods.
Supplements
Proteolytic enzymes can be derived from plant sources (such as pineapple stems). They may also be extracted from the pancreas of different animal species. Pigs and cows are the most common sources.
The supplements are available as:
When Is the Best Time To Take Proteolytic Enzymes?
Some supplements contain just one enzyme (such aspapayasupplements). Others combine several proteolytic enzymes into one capsule or tablet. Commonly, bromelain, papain, pancreatin, trypsin, and chymotrypsin are combined into one supplement blend.
Proteolytic enzymes can also be added to food. Supplements and raw foods with proteolytic enzymes are said to help treat a variety of maladies when taken together.
Dosages for proteolytic enzyme supplements are expressed as milligrams or grams as well as in “activity units” or “international units.” These terms refer to the enzyme’s strength (particularly its potency/digestive power).
Before taking proteolytic enzymes, consult with your healthcare provider and let them know if you’re taking any other medications or supplements.
Food Sources
Papaya and pineapple, the top food sources, are often used in commercially made tenderizers so that the protein-busting power of their proteolytic enzymes can soften meat. Papaya contains the proteolytic enzyme called papain. Pineapple contains the enzymebromelain.Other foods that are high in proteolytic enzymes include:
Proteolytic enzymes are broken down when foods are heated, so eating raw foods will provide these enzymes. Minimally cooked foods (such as steamed vegetables) also maintain much of their natural enzymes. Other ways to prepare and eat foods rich in proteolytic enzymes include:
Research
Like many herbal medicines and supplements, clinical research trials haven’t provided enough evidence to support many health claims for proteolytic enzymes.
Digestive Problems
A primary use of proteolytic enzymes is to ease digestive problems. However, an older small study found that there was no benefit from taking proteolytic enzymes for the treatment ofindigestion(dyspepsia).
The study compared those with indigestion who were given pancreatic (proteolytic) enzymes with those who took a placebo (sham treatment) for 24 days. There was no evidence of any type of short-term beneficial effect of the pancreatic enzymes.
Pain
A review and meta-analysis concluded that moderate-quality studies indicate bromelain taken orally was more effective than placebo at controlling pain and applying bromelain to the skin was effective for wound healing.
Another study found the combination of proteases trypsin and chymotrypsin was as effective as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in controlling post-operative dental pain.
Osteoarthritis
Researchers have also looked at the effect of proteolytic enzymes on osteoarthritis symptoms. Older studies collectively involving 400 osteoarthritis participants compared treatment with proteolytic enzymes versus an anti-inflammatory medication called diclofenac.
The studies found that pain management was about equivalent between the group that took medication and the one that received the proteolytic enzymes.However, these studies all had methodological flaws, such as the lack of a placebo group (a group that took a sugar pill).
Sports Injuries
Proteolytic enzymes produce bioactive peptides that are being studied in relation to athletic performance and muscle recovery. Some research indicates peptides facilitate muscle recovery and decrease muscle damage following intensive exercise. However, the study authors noted the evidence is limited and more research is needed.
Common Cold
A mouth spray called ColdZyme has been evaluated for its effects on common cold symptoms. One of the main ingredients in ColdZyme is trypsin, a proteolytic enzyme.
The study found that using ColdZyme as soon as cold symptoms started resulted in a faster recovery. The beneficial effect of ColdZyme was most noticeable on the fifth day of common cold symptoms.The symptoms that were measured included sneezing, nasal obstruction, nasal discharge, sore throat, cough, headache, chilliness, and malaise.
Periodontal Surgery
A product called Anaheal was evaluated for its healing effects in people undergoing periodontal surgery. Anaheal contains the proteolytic enzyme bromelain. The study found that one-week treatment with Anaheal after surgery significantly reduced bleeding compared to placebo.
Chronic Kidney Disease
A 2022 study evaluated the effects of “enzobiotic therapy” on kidney function. The therapy included a combination of three probiotics, a prebiotic, and proteolytic enzymes. Study results showed significantly reduced markers of kidney disease progression in the group receiving enzobiotic therapy.
Other Conditions
Proteolytic enzymes are thought to benefit other conditions as well. However, there isn’t enough clinical research to definitively back these claims. These conditions include:
Some recent scientific evidence supporting proteolytic enzymes as treatment for various conditions involves combination products. One example is proteolytic enzymes plus bioflavonoids.
Possible Side Effects
Although proteolytic enzymes are considered relatively safe, on occasion, they can cause allergic reactions. Another side effect that has been reported is stomach upset, including diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Proteolytic enzymes improve digestion, so they should not cause constipation.
Pancreatin—which is one proteolytic enzyme—is known to block the absorption of folate (a B vitamin). When taking pancreatin, it’s important to take a folate supplement as well.
Contraindications
A contraindication is a specific situation in which a supplement or drug should not be used. That’s because of a high potential to be harmful to the person receiving the treatment/medication.
Contraindications for the use of proteolytic enzymes bromelain and papain include:
Verywell / Anastasia Tretiak
When buying proteolytic enzyme supplements, choose a product that lists its potency or strength. Many commercial brands simply list the weight of each enzyme (in milligrams or grams). This doesn’t provide any information about the potency of the product you are purchasing. Select products that list “activity units” on the label.
Hydrochloric acid in the stomach can break down proteolytic enzymes and render them ineffective. To prevent this from happening, select a supplement that is enteric-coated. This means it’s covered with a substance that prevents it from dissolving before it reaches the intestine (where nutrient absorption occurs).
Summary
21 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.
National Cancer Institute.Proteolytic enzymes.Forssmann K, Meier L, Uehleke B, Breuer C, Stange R.A non-interventional, observational study of a fixed combination of pepsin and amino acid hydrochloride in patients with functional dyspepsia.BMC Gastroenterol. 2017;17(1):123. doi:10.1186/s12876-017-0675-9Rathnavelu V, Alitheen NB, Sohila S, Kanagesan S, Ramesh R.Potential role of bromelain in clinical and therapeutic applications.Biomed Rep. 2016;5(3):283-288. doi:10.3892/br.2016.720Kondreddy S, Palli S.Proteases and tissue repair: peri operative role of chymotrypsin: trypsin in surgical patients.Int Surg J. 2018;6(1):283. doi:10.18203/2349-2902.isj20185488Shah D, Mital K.The role of trypsin:chymotrypsin in tissue repair.Adv Ther. 2018;35(1):31-42. doi:10.1007/s12325-017-0648-yMarzin T, Lorkowski G, Reule C, et al.Effects of a systemic enzyme therapy in healthy active adults after exhaustive eccentric exercise: a randomised, two-stage, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial.BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2017;2(1):e000191. doi:10.1136/bmjsem-2016-000191Babazade H, Mirzaagha A, Konarizadeh S.The effect of bromelain in periodontal surgery: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial. BMC Oral Health. 2023 May 13;23(1):286. doi: 10.1186/s12903-023-02971-7Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Proteolytic enzymes.United States Department of Agriculture.Animal-derived enzymes.Su H, Huang M, Wang H.Characterization of ginger proteases and their potential as a rennin replacement. J Sci Food Agric. 2009;89(7):1178-1185. doi: 10.1002/jsfa.3572Tamang JP, Shin DH, Jung SJ, et al.Functional Properties of Microorganisms in Fermented Foods. Front Microbiol. 2016 Apr 26;7:578. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.00578Swami OC, Shah NJ.Functional dyspepsia and the role of digestive enzymes supplement in its therapy.Int J Basic Clin Pharmacol. 2017;6(5):1035. doi:10.18203/2319-2003.ijbcp20171653Kleveland PM, Johannessen T, Kristensen P, et al.Effect of pancreatic enzymes in non-ulcer dyspepsia. A pilot study.Scand J Gastroenterol. 1990;25(3):298-301.Leelakanok N, Petchsomrit A, Janurai T, et al.Efficacy and safety of bromelain: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutr Health. 2023 Sep;29(3):479-503. doi: 10.1177/02601060231173732Hashem AAR, Abd El Sattar AA, Abdel Rahman TY.The Effect of Trypsin-Chymotrypsin on Postoperative Pain after Single Visit Endodontic Treatment: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Endod. 2023 Mar;49(3):240-247. doi: 10.1016/j.joen.2022.12.010Leipner J, Iten F, Saller R.Therapy with proteolytic enzymes in rheumatic disorders.BioDrugs. 2001;15(12):779-789. doi:10.2165/00063030-200115120-00001König D, Kohl J, Jerger S, et al.Potential Relevance of Bioactive Peptides in Sports Nutrition. Nutrients. 2021 Nov 10;13(11):3997. doi: 10.3390/nu13113997Lindberg BF, Nelson I, Ranstam J, et al.Early intervention with ColdZyme mouth spray after self-diagnosis of common cold: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. PLoS One. 2023 Jan 18;18(1):e0279204. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0279204Saxena A, Srinivasa S, Veerappan I, et al.Enzobiotics-A Novel Therapy for the Elimination of Uremic Toxins in Patients with CKD (EETOX Study): A Multicenter Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial. Nutrients. 2022 Sep 15;14(18):3804. doi: 10.3390/nu14183804Chittiboyina S, Chen Z, Chiorean EG, Kamendulis LM, Hocevar BA.The role of the folate pathway in pancreatic cancer risk.PLoS ONE. 2018;13(2):e0193298. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0193298Chakraborty AJ, Mitra S, Tallei TE, et al.Bromelain a potential bioactive compound: a comprehensive overview from a pharmacological perspective.Life. 2021;11(4):317. doi:10.3390/life11040317
National Cancer Institute.Proteolytic enzymes.
Forssmann K, Meier L, Uehleke B, Breuer C, Stange R.A non-interventional, observational study of a fixed combination of pepsin and amino acid hydrochloride in patients with functional dyspepsia.BMC Gastroenterol. 2017;17(1):123. doi:10.1186/s12876-017-0675-9
Rathnavelu V, Alitheen NB, Sohila S, Kanagesan S, Ramesh R.Potential role of bromelain in clinical and therapeutic applications.Biomed Rep. 2016;5(3):283-288. doi:10.3892/br.2016.720
Kondreddy S, Palli S.Proteases and tissue repair: peri operative role of chymotrypsin: trypsin in surgical patients.Int Surg J. 2018;6(1):283. doi:10.18203/2349-2902.isj20185488
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
Marzin T, Lorkowski G, Reule C, et al.Effects of a systemic enzyme therapy in healthy active adults after exhaustive eccentric exercise: a randomised, two-stage, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial.BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2017;2(1):e000191. doi:10.1136/bmjsem-2016-000191
Babazade H, Mirzaagha A, Konarizadeh S.The effect of bromelain in periodontal surgery: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial. BMC Oral Health. 2023 May 13;23(1):286. doi: 10.1186/s12903-023-02971-7
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.Proteolytic enzymes.
United States Department of Agriculture.Animal-derived enzymes.
Su H, Huang M, Wang H.Characterization of ginger proteases and their potential as a rennin replacement. J Sci Food Agric. 2009;89(7):1178-1185. doi: 10.1002/jsfa.3572
Tamang JP, Shin DH, Jung SJ, et al.Functional Properties of Microorganisms in Fermented Foods. Front Microbiol. 2016 Apr 26;7:578. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.00578
Swami OC, Shah NJ.Functional dyspepsia and the role of digestive enzymes supplement in its therapy.Int J Basic Clin Pharmacol. 2017;6(5):1035. doi:10.18203/2319-2003.ijbcp20171653
Kleveland PM, Johannessen T, Kristensen P, et al.Effect of pancreatic enzymes in non-ulcer dyspepsia. A pilot study.Scand J Gastroenterol. 1990;25(3):298-301.
Leelakanok N, Petchsomrit A, Janurai T, et al.Efficacy and safety of bromelain: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutr Health. 2023 Sep;29(3):479-503. doi: 10.1177/02601060231173732
Hashem AAR, Abd El Sattar AA, Abdel Rahman TY.The Effect of Trypsin-Chymotrypsin on Postoperative Pain after Single Visit Endodontic Treatment: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Endod. 2023 Mar;49(3):240-247. doi: 10.1016/j.joen.2022.12.010
Leipner J, Iten F, Saller R.Therapy with proteolytic enzymes in rheumatic disorders.BioDrugs. 2001;15(12):779-789. doi:10.2165/00063030-200115120-00001
König D, Kohl J, Jerger S, et al.Potential Relevance of Bioactive Peptides in Sports Nutrition. Nutrients. 2021 Nov 10;13(11):3997. doi: 10.3390/nu13113997
Lindberg BF, Nelson I, Ranstam J, et al.Early intervention with ColdZyme mouth spray after self-diagnosis of common cold: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. PLoS One. 2023 Jan 18;18(1):e0279204. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0279204
Saxena A, Srinivasa S, Veerappan I, et al.Enzobiotics-A Novel Therapy for the Elimination of Uremic Toxins in Patients with CKD (EETOX Study): A Multicenter Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial. Nutrients. 2022 Sep 15;14(18):3804. doi: 10.3390/nu14183804
Chittiboyina S, Chen Z, Chiorean EG, Kamendulis LM, Hocevar BA.The role of the folate pathway in pancreatic cancer risk.PLoS ONE. 2018;13(2):e0193298. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0193298
Chakraborty AJ, Mitra S, Tallei TE, et al.Bromelain a potential bioactive compound: a comprehensive overview from a pharmacological perspective.Life. 2021;11(4):317. doi:10.3390/life11040317
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
Büttner L, Achilles N, Böhm M, Shah-Hosseini K, Mösges R.Efficacy and tolerability of bromelain in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis—a pilot study.B-ENT. 2013;9(3):217-225.
Chakraborty AJ, Mitra S, Tallei TE, et al.Bromelain a potential bioactive compound: a comprehensive overview from a pharmacological perspective.Life (Basel). 2021;11(4):317. doi:10.3390/life11040317
Dosedla E, Grendelova A, Calda P.Effect of systemic enzymotherapy on Cesarean section scar healing.Ceska Gynekol. 2016;81(3):202-207.
Mendes ML, do Nascimento-Júnior EM, et al.Efficacy of proteolytic enzyme bromelain on health outcomes after third molar surgery. Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2019 Jan 1;24(1):e61-e69. doi:10.4317/medoral.22731
Mótyán JA, Tóth F, Tőzsér J.Research applications of proteolytic enzymes in molecular biology.Biomolecules. 2013;3(4):923-942. doi:10.3390/biom3040923
Müller A, Barat S, Chen X, et al.Comparative study of antitumor effects of bromelain and papain in human cholangiocarcinoma cell lines.Int J Oncol. 2016;48(5):2025-2034. doi:10.3892/ijo.2016.3411
Tooth D, Garsed K, Singh G, et al.Characterisation of faecal protease activity in irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhoea: origin and effect of gut transit.Gut. 2014;63(5):753-760. doi:10.1136/gutjnl-2012-304042
Yaghoobi M, McNabb-Baltar J, Bijarchi R, Cotton PB.Pancreatic enzyme supplements are not effective for relieving abdominal pain in patients with chronic pancreatitis: meta-analysis and systematic review of randomized controlled trials.Can J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2016;2016:8541839. doi:10.1155/2016/8541839
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