Certain websites and distributors have recently claimed that enzymes do not require a pH resistant coating (known as an enteric coating) to be effective systemically. The fact is that all enzymes have a pH range. At the extremes of this range, whether acid or alkaline, systemic enzymes will denature (become irreversibly inactive). While it is true that most fungal and plant source systemic enzymes exhibit a fairly broad pH range, some bacterial sourced systemic enzymes are less tolerant of low pH.
One of the leading systemic enzymes available – serrapeptase – originates from a bacteria that resides in the gut of silkworms, not from any fruit, vegetable or bacteria that can survive on its own. Derived from a symbiotic organism (an organism that depends on another to exist), serrapeptase is already a fragile enzyme. Yet thanks to the technical advancements in microbiology, we have been able to isolate this enzyme for therapeutic use in humans.
Serrapeptase’s sole role in the gut of the silkworm is to assist it in emerging from its cocoon. Although serrapeptase is produced in the gut of the silkworm, its ultimate effect is the breaking down of its cocoon, not food particles. Likewise, as a systemic enzyme, serrapeptase is not used to breakdown food, but to act throughout the body to breakdown proteins like fibrin – a major protein factor involved in inflammation.
Likewise, nattokinase is an enzyme extracted and purified from the beneficial bacteria Bacillus natto (sometimes listed as Bacillus subtilis natto) that is found in the Japanese food called Natto. This enzyme demonstrates powerful fibrinolytic activity within the blood stream and thus its ability to be absorbed in tact from the GI tract into the circulatory system remains and important consideration when including it in a formula.
Because we are the actual manufacturer of our enzymes, we test them for both pH and temperature stability. Based on the results of these kinetic studies, we have repeatedly demonstrated that serrapeptase and nattokinase are much less tolerant of a low pH and will begin to lose activity in acidic conditions consistent with the stomach. Therefore, for maximum effectiveness, serrapeptase and nattokinase are best when enterically coated.
By enterically coating our serrapeptase and nattokinase, we ensure that they do not act on the contents of the stomach, or that these delicate enzymes do not themselves become destroyed. Instead, our serrapeptase and nattokinase are able to reach the small intestine undamaged where they can be readily be absorbed into the circulatory system to be finally delivered throughout the body to act therapeutically as intended.
AST Enzymes has 50 years of manufacturing experience behind it to back up the claims we make. When we design a systemic enzyme blend for human consumption, we have to ensure that it will tolerate the pH variables of our gastrointestinal system. We have successfully done this with our systemic enzyme products, including Peptizyme SP EN (enteric coated serrapeptase), NattoSEB (enteric coated nattokinase) and SEBKinase (a blend of Peptizyme and NattoSEB, as found in Serracor-NK). As a result of our experience and expertise, our entire line of enteric-coated enzymes are able to reach the small intestine with higher activity for full systemic enzyme therapy.
Enzyme therapy is as only as good as the enzyme that actually reaches areas of inflammation. When choosing systemic enzyme products, why settle for less? For the highest quality assurance, choose AST Enzymes products today.