Enzymes and Your Health, Are Proteases Dangerous

Used appropriately, these enzymes pose no danger to the consumer. The biggest problem with enzymes is the inhalation of large quantities of enzyme dust by people who work around enzymes a great deal, or getting large quantities on one’s skin, such as in manufacturing plants. In both circumstances, enzymes can cause irritation, itching, and discomfort. It is rarely a problem with normal digestive use.

Well, how about will enzymes digest my mouth, stomach or intestines?

If this were true, the enzymes produced by your own body would have already digested you away. These enzymes much prefer the denatured (cooked or damaged) proteins found in foods. Most proteins, in their healthy state, are coiled and globular in structure. This prevents the enzymes from having access to cleavage sites. When heated or in extremes of pH (like stomach acid), the proteins uncoil, exposing sites where the enzyme can bind and cleave.

Also, the cells of our bodies and the mucosal lining of the gastrointestinal tract contain protease inhibitors that inactivate certain protease enzymes. The mucosal layer acts as a physical barrier to proteolytic activity on living cells. The pancreas exposes your small intestine to a barrage of enzymes every time you eat, and the enzymes do not break down the intestine. If enzyme powder remains on the lips or gums for a prolonged time, it may break down some of the layer of dead cells that covers our mouth and throat (the whitish_colored layer). When the fresh, raw layer of tissue comes into contact with saliva, the person may feel slight irritation. If you open a capsule to mix it with food, make sure you drink something afterwards to wash any enzyme residue down. Because amylase is in saliva, you have a constant supply of enzymes in your mouth all the time anyway.

Natural “greens” products are created to supplement that process, the process of breaking down food into the basic nutritional units to provide our bodies with essential nourishment. There are several different “Greens” products on the market specifically to help the digestive process. One of these supplements is Bio88+ (Plus), a pure enzyme product designed specifically to aid in digestion.

The producers of Bio88+ (Plus) use only the very finest “certified” organic, 100% vegetarian-based components in the making of their highly nutritious food product. There are no animal based products associated with Bio 88+ (Plus). Feel free to contact the author by email for additional information.

Our next article, Part VII, will deal with the possible “dependence” on oral enzymes.

Disclaimer: These articles in no way should be taken as “medical advice” on any product or condition, nor do they constitute in any way “medical advice” endorsing any specific product, specific result, nor any possible cure for any condition or problem. They are meant as a source of information upon which you may base your decision as to whether or not you should begin using a “greens” product as a dietary supplement. If in doubt, or if you have questions, you should consult your physician and, if possible, consult a second physician for a possible different opinion. The author (nor the book referenced and its authors) bear any responsibility for your decisions nor for the outcome of your actions based upon those decisions.