The Health Benefits of Papain

Papain is one of the many powerful digestive enzymes that nature has given to human beings. Commonly found and extracted from the papaya fruit (Carica papaya) , it is also referred to as papaya proteinase The papaya-enzyme papain plays a key role in digestive processes involving breaking down tough protein fibers.

For this reason, it has been commonly used in its native South America as a digestive support for meat eating, as well as a multitude of other health applications discussed below.

Today modern science is catching up with the centuries-old wisdom of traditional healers in South America: papaya, really the enzyme complex papain found in the fruit, can play a significant role in the breakdown of toxins and is a powerful antiseptic, digestive aid, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent.

The papaya-enzyme papain is able to break down larger proteins into smaller proteins or peptides or even into the smallest amino-acid subunit by cleaving the bonds in the interior of the protein chain or the end of the chain (endopeptidase and exopeptidase activity, respectively) in a broad pH range.

This gives it a marked ability to enhance the total digestive process and increase the nutrient absorption of protein-based foods. Its ability to hydrolyse (break down) proteins also means that it can play a key role in many normal physiological processes and potentially influence disease processes for the good.

Boosts Digestion:
One of the key areas in which papain serves the body, is in the realm of its protein-digestive properties. The University of Michigan supports its use as an enzymatic support for the intestines, stomach and the pancreas.

Skin and Wound Care:
Due to papain’s antiseptic and anti-inflammatory capacities, it is currently being studied for topical applications on burns, irritations and wounds. It has also been used for ulcers and bedsores. Traditional cultures in Hawaii and Tahiti made poultices out of the skins of papaya, as this part of the fruit is particularly concentrated in papain. They applied it to the skin to heal wounds, burns, rashes and bug stings.The University of Minnesota Medical Center cites papain as a debrinding agent, used to remove dead tissue and improve healing on wounds and skin.

Anti-fungal:
Studies show that the enzyme papain is also an anti-fungal agent. A recent 2010 report from the African Journal of Agricultural Research found that extracts from Carica papaya (papain) could statistically reduce the fungal pathogen causing pawpaw fruit rot.

Immune System Support:
According to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, papain may act as an immune support system for cancer treatment, as proteolytic enzymes such as papain help to modulate leukocytes in the immune response. Several studies suggest that the papain enzyme also possesses anti-tumor capacities.

Anti-inflammatory:
Studies confirm that the papain enzyme has powerful anti-inflammatory capacities and may help reduce joint and prostate inflammation. One study from the University of Maryland Medical Center, shows that papain was effective in helping the body reduce the swelling associated with prostatitis.

Antioxidant:
Papain holds compounds that may aid in protecting the body from cellular damage caused by free radicals. One study published in the Journal of Dairy Science fount that papain can offer a potential alternative to chemical additives for increased survival of probiotic bacteria in yogurt due to its oxidation properties. Similarly, it is also a powerful anti-microbial agent commonly used in food preservation, as it prevents bacterial infestations and spoilage due to oxidation.

Papain is a plant-source protease measured in PUs (Papain Units). One FCC-PU (Plant Proteolytic Analytical Method) is based on a 60 minute proteolytic hydrolysis of casein substrate at pH 6.0 and 40°C. The FCC notation stands for Foods Chemical Codex, and is a division of USP (United States Pharmacopeia). It sets standards for ingredients. In the case of enzymes, FCC is a standard assay used to accurately determine the activity of enzymes. The current compendium is FCC VI.

The product VeganZyme™ contains a 100% vegan form of Papain extracted from the Carica papaya. It comes from all vegetarian, non-GMO sources, is kosher certified, gluten free, made in the USA, contains no animal product and is completely suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

VeganZyme™ is the most advanced full-spectrum systemic and digestive enzyme formula in the world and is free from fillers and toxic compounds. This formula contains digestive enzymes which help digest fats (lipids), sugars, proteins, carbohydrates, gluten, fruits and vegetables, cereals, legumes, bran, nuts and seeds, soy, dairy and all other food sources.

VeganZyme™ may also be used as a systemic enzyme blend to break down excess mucus, fibrin, various toxins, allergens, as well as excess clotting factors throughout your body.

References:

J Dairy Sci. 2010 Nov;93(11):5059-68. Processing optimization of probiotic yogurt containing papain using response surface methodology. PMID: 20965320University of Maryland Medical Center. http://www.umm.edu/drug/notes/Papain-urea-On-the-skin.htmhttp://www.worthington-biochem.com/pap/cat.htmlAntifungal effects of pawpaw seed extracts and papain on post harvest Carica papaya L. fruit rot. Nwinyi, Obinna and Abikoye, B. A. (2010) Antifungal effects of pawpaw seed extracts and papain on post harvest Carica papaya L. fruit rot. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 5 (12). pp. 1531-1535. ISSN 1991-637X (PDF)http://www.biozym.de/datasheets/papain.phphttp://www.uofmmedicalcenter.org/HealthLibrary/Article/2557Desser L,et al. Oral therapy with proteolytic enzyes decreases excessive TGF-beta levels in human blood. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2001;47:S10-5. PMID: 11561866Desser L, Zavadova E, Herbacek I. Oral enzymes as additive cancer therapy. Int J Immunotherapy. 2001;17(2-3-4):153-161. ISSN 0255-9625Maurer HR. Bromelain: biochemistry, pharmacology and medical use. Cell Mol Life Sci 2001;58:1234-45. PMID: 11577981

View the original article here