Everything You Need To Know about Protease

Proteases, also known as proteolytic enzymes, are a large group of enzymes necessary for several important processes in the body, including protein digestion, cellular function, and blood-clotting.

The body naturally produces proteases. You can also get them through food and dietary supplements. However, some protease supplements can cause digestive side effects.

Types of Proteases

There are hundreds of proteases in the human body.

The stomach and pancreas produce proteases that are essential for protein digestion. These proteases break down proteins into shorter chains, called peptides, for the intestine to absorb.

Here are some of the main proteases found in the body:

• Pepsin: Pepsin is the main protease involved in protein digestion. It's released by cells within the intestinal lining called chief cells.
• Trypsin: The pancreas releases trypsinogen, an inactive precursor of trypsin, which is activated in the small intestine. Like pepsin, trypsin breaks down protein into peptides so they can be absorbed in the digestive tract.
• Chymotrypsin: The pancreas secretes chymotrypsinogen, a precursor to chymotrypsin, which is activated into chymotrypsin in the small intestine. Along with pepsin and trypsin, chymotrypsin is essential for protein digestion.

In addition to pepsin, trypsin, and chymotrypsin, the body produces many other proteases to use for essential processes, such as digestion, immune function, protein recycling, and cellular function.

Proteases are also found in certain foods, such as pineapple, and are used in baking and food production. Certain proteases, including the digestive enzymes trypsin and pepsin, can also be taken in supplement form.

Potential Benefits of Proteases

Proteases perform vital functions in the body. In supplement form, proteases can help support the health of people with various health conditions.

Essential for Digestion and Other Functions

Proteases are required for several essential body functions.

For example, without proteases like pepsin, your body wouldn't be able to digest and absorb the protein found in foods.

In addition to their role in protein digestion, proteases are necessary for life-sustaining processes such as blood clotting, inflammation regulation, wound healing, and cellular communication.

Proteases are also required for apoptosis or programmed cellular death. Apoptosis rids the body of damaged cells, helping maintain homeostasis (a stable internal environment) and prevent cancer and many other health issues.

Can Help Manage Certain Health Conditions

When taken in supplement form, proteases may offer several benefits.

Some people have health conditions that impair their ability to produce and release certain proteases involved in digestion. In these cases, supplementing with proteases, such as pepsin and other proteolytic enzymes needed to break down protein, can be beneficial and sometimes necessary.

Some people take supplements to help them better digest their food and combat symptoms like bloating and gas. Other people require supplemental proteases because their bodies can't produce or release proteases on their own.

For example, pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) is a medical treatment used to treat pancreatic insufficiency caused by medical conditions like cystic fibrosis and pancreatic cancer. PERT delivers pancreatic enzymes, including proteases, when the body is unable to produce them on its own.

Supplementing with certain proteases may also reduce symptoms in people with certain digestive conditions. A study that included 43 people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) who were experiencing digestive symptoms, like bloating and gas, gave one group of people a combined treatment of IBD medications, digestive enzymes (including proteases), soluble fiber, and inositol twice per day for four weeks. This group experienced reductions in bloating, abdominal pain, and gas compared to the group who received IBD medication alone.

Though this study used digestive enzymes in combination with other supplements, it suggests that proteases might be helpful in reducing certain symptoms related to digestive conditions like IBD.

Some studies also suggest that protease supplements may be helpful for people with other digestive disorders, including dyspepsia and celiac disease.

How Much Do You Need?

Most people naturally produce all the proteases they need to perform vital bodily processes, such as digestion and blood clotting.

However, some people, including people with health conditions like cystic fibrosis and pancreatic insufficiency, rely on supplemental forms of proteases. In these cases, a person's healthcare team will recommend appropriate treatment.

Good Sources of Proteases

Proteases are found in both plant and animal foods. Just as in humans, proteases perform essential functions in plants and animals. For example, proteases are necessary for animals to break down and digest proteins.

Some plant-based foods, like pineapples and papayas, are rich in bromelain, a protease with anti-inflammatory properties.

Here are a few food sources of proteases.

• Pineapple
• Papaya
• Yogurt and kefir
• Ginger
• Sauerkraut
• Miso
• Kiwi

Proteases used in supplements and food production are derived from both plant and animal sources. For example, rennet, which is a group of enzymes derived from the stomachs of cows and other ruminant animals, is a common ingredient in cheeses.

Supplements

Certain kinds of proteases are available in supplement form.

For example, digestive enzyme supplements, which contain one or more proteases like bromelain, pepsin, pancreatin, and trypsin, are often recommended for people with digestive disorders like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Studies show that digestive enzyme supplements containing a combination of proteases could help reduce symptoms like bloating in people with IBS. This is because people with IBS and other digestive disorders are more likely to have pancreatic insufficiency, which interferes with the body's ability to digest and absorb nutrients, including protein.

Prescription protease supplements are also necessary for people with health conditions that cause deficiencies in proteolytic enzymes, such as chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, and cystic fibrosis (CF).

Another protease commonly taken as a dietary supplement is bromelain. Bromelain has powerful anti-inflammatory properties and has been shown to improve pain related to inflammatory conditions like arthritis.

Potential Risks and Side Effects

Protease supplements, such as digestive enzymes, may cause side effects. For example, taking high-dose digestive enzyme supplements containing proteases like pepsin may cause side effects like a burning sensation in your stomach, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.

Protease supplements may also interact with certain medications. For example, bromelain, which is often taken to reduce inflammation, may interfere with blood-thinning medications like Coumadin (warfarin) and increase bleeding risk.

If you're interested in taking a supplement that contains proteases, such as bromelain or digestive enzyme products, it's best to discuss it with your healthcare provider first, especially if you are taking one or more medications or have a health condition.

A Quick Review

Proteases are a group of enzymes required for essential processes such as digestion and blood clotting.

Your body produces proteases on its own, but some people may require supplementation with specific proteases due to medical conditions like cystic fibrosis. Plus, some protease supplements, like digestive enzymes, may be helpful for certain digestive conditions like IBS.

If you're interested in taking supplemental proteases or are concerned that you're not producing enough of these important compounds, consider making an appointment with your healthcare provider to discuss your options.