Enzymes for Joint Health

Research has shown that living an active lifestyle can be beneficial for your musculoskeletal, pulmonary and cardiovascular health, but there can be a downside. High impact, repetitive physical activity can be taxing on your joints. But did you know that supplementing your diet with enzymes can help protect your joints?* Continue reading to learn which enzymes can help protect the health of your joints.*

Proteolytic Enzymes

Enzymes are essential to our health, well-being and bodily function. There are thousands of unique enzymes, and each plays a specific role in our body. A family of enzymes called proteolytic enzymes perform the function of breaking down protein bonds. This is essential not only for digestion, but also for joint health.* These types of enzymes have been the subject of research to better understand how they may help promote joint health. Studies have suggested that proteolytic enzymes may achieve this by supporting the body’s natural mechanisms for healthy inflammatory response, repair and renewal, and joint comfort.* They help to break down plasma protein and cellular debris into smaller fragments to help accelerate repair, as they facilitate passage through the lymphatic system more quickly and efficiently.*¹

The Top 3 Proteolytic Enzymes for Joint Health

1. Papain: Papain is a crude extract of the papaya fruit that contains proteolytic enzymes from the cysteine proteinase family. In the body, papain breaks down proteins, especially those with weak or damaged bonds. Therefore, papain may support the body by facilitating the removal of a build-up of damaged proteins. This mechanism has been researched in a clinical study to understand how papain supports the body after sports injuries and other causes of trauma.²
2. Bromelain: Bromelain is a crude extract obtained from both the stem and fruit of pineapple. Both bromelain and papain have been studied to understand how they may support the bodies’ healthy inflammatory response.* Positive results have led to bromelain being used to support the body in the joint structure recovery process.*³
3. Protease: Protease, also known as peptidase and proteinase, is a category of seven broad classifications of proteolytic enzymes. These enzymes can be derived from animals, plants or microorganisms like fungi. Both bromelain and papain are a member of the cysteine family, one of the seven protease classifications. Protease is essential to maintaining homeostasis and healthy inflammatory responses within the body.*⁴

Protect Your Joint Health

You live an active, healthy lifestyle to maintain optimal quality of life. So, make sure to extend your quality of life by protecting your joint health. Even if you aren’t experiencing joint discomfort, be proactive and begin supplementing your diet with enzymes to prevent future problems.* This can be as easy as supplementing your diet with Enzymedica’s Repair Gold™ formula. This advanced formula combines each of the enzymes proven to support joint health in one easy-to-take supplement.*

1. Lenard, Lane, et al. “Controlling Inflammation with Proteolytic Enzymes.” Nutrition Review, 24 Apr. 2013, nutritionreview.org/2013/04/controlling-inflammation-proteolytic-enzymes/.
2. Mamboya, Ezekiel Amriand Florence. "Papain, a plant enzyme of biological importance: a review." American Journal of Biochemistry and Biotechnology 8.2 (2012): 99-104, http://thescipub.com/pdf/10.3844/ajbbsp.2012.99.104.
3. Brien, Sarah, et al. "Bromelain as a treatment for osteoarthritis: a review of clinical studies." Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine 1.3 (2004): 251-257.
4. Rao, Mala B., et al. "Molecular and biotechnological aspects of microbial proteases." Microbiology and molecular biology reviews 62.3 (1998): 597-635.