Serrapeptase for Lymphedema and Lipedema

I wish to tackle using the complement serrapeptase for treating lymphedema and lipedema. However first, let’s begin with some definitions. As an Amazon Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases

What’s Lipedema?

Lipedema is a medical situation that causes irregular accumulation of fats primarily within the legs, hips, and arms. It’s typically mistaken for cellulite or weight problems, however it’s a distinct medical situation that impacts predominantly girls.

What’s Lymphedema?

Lymphedema is a persistent swelling (edema) of lymphatic fluid – which is a protein wealthy fluid transported by way of the lymphatic system. Along with a noticeable swelling, there may be additionally heaviness, ache, decreased vary of movement and may go away an individual inclined to repeated bouts of pores and skin an infection (cellulitis).

Whereas there isn’t a treatment for lipedema or lymphedema, there are numerous remedies obtainable, together with full decongestive remedy, which incorporates 4 parts; compression, skincare, handbook lymphatic drainage and train. Learn extra about that in The Complete Lymphedema Management and Nutrition Guide.  On this article, we’ll talk about what serrapeptase is and the way it could also be used to deal with lymphedema and lipedema.

What’s Serrapeptase?

Serrapeptase is often known as serratiopeptidase and serratiapeptase , it’s a proteolytic enzyme, which means that it breaks down protein into it’s smaller parts. It’s a pure enzyme produced by the bacterium Serratia marcescens E-15 discovered within the intestines of Bombyx mori silkworms. The enzyme permits the moth to digest and take in it’s cocoon.

Serratia was recognized as an opportunistic human pathogen in 1959, however protected manufacturing methods have been developed to create massive scale protected manufacturing of serrapeptase by making a mutant pressure of Serratia marcescens through UV radiation and chemical modifications (Nair, 2022).

The enzyme’s mechanism of motion is fascinating – it breaks down proteins into smaller fragments, facilitating their removing from the physique. This property is believed to contribute to its therapeutic results of lowering irritation and ache.

What Does Serrapeptase Do?

There have been human, animal and cell research of serrapeptase, however solely a restricted quantity. Three of the features that look like outcomes of taking serrapeptase which might be related for lymphedema and lipedema embrace: anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrinolytic and anti-infectious. I’ll talk about every of those roles in additional element.

Anti-Inflammatory Actions of Serrapeptase

Serrapeptase was first used as an anti-inflammatory in Japan in 1957 (Jadhav, 2020). How does it work? Within the regular pathway of irritation, cyclooxygenase (COX-I) is launch after damage, which breaks down arachidonic acid, which is liable for the manufacturing of interleukins and prostaglandins. Interleukins and prostaglandins are liable for ache and irritation. The serrapeptase enzyme was discovered to have a excessive affinity to bind cyclooxygenases (COX-I and COX-II), and stop the inflammatory chain of occasions and stop the ache and irritation from creating (Nair, 2022).

I want to share human analysis in my weblog, however when it’s not obtainable I’ll share animal analysis, which I at all times disclose (watch out of blogs that describe “analysis” however don’t inform you it’s animal analysis). On this examine, albino rats had a both sub-acute or acute irritation.

Sub-acute irritation was caused by utilizing sterile cotton soaked in distilled water containing penicillin and streptomycin implanted within the armpit underneath anesthesia. After the trial interval ,the cotton pellet was extracted and weighed to see what number of granuloma cells connected to it.

The acute irritation was caused by having carrageenan injected to their hind paw to induce edema (swelling).

They have been then examined with one in every of three enzymes: serrapeptase, chymotrypsin or trypsin at three totally different dosages with and with out aspirin to see which might be the simplest anti-inflammatory. Saline was used for the management group (Swamy, 2008). The enzymes got half an hour earlier than injection and day by day for ten days.

The perfect anti-inflammatory response to the acute irritation got here from serrapeptase and for the sub-acute irritation from serrapeptase and chymotrypsin with and with out aspirin. However, the dosage was essential. None of them labored on the lowest dosage.

What does this imply for lymphedema and lipedema? I’ll inform you that in different analysis I learn, the injection of carrageenan is the usual mannequin for inducing lymphedema in rats, so I believe this analysis is constant in that methodology immediately. However, in fact, we will’t say, that serrapeptase can scale back irritation associated to lymphedema or lipedema in people, regardless of the optimistic ends in the animal research.

Anti-Fibrosis Actions of Serrapeptase

Lymphedema and lipedema are each persistent and progressive circumstances. What makes them progressive, is that over time, there’s a build-up of fibrotic tissue and thickening of the pores and skin. An essential technique, in coping with lymphedema and lipedema can be to delay the development of this fibrosis and gradual the pores and skin thickening, or in a super scenario reverse the fibrosis. May serrapeptase assist with this? It is called an anti-fibrotic, let’s take a look at a few of that analysis collectively.

Whereas I couldn’t discover any analysis on lymphedema or lipedema (not stunning), I did discover a pilot examine that checked out using enzymes for fibrosis of the lung (Shah, 2021). On this examine, 13 individuals with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) took oral dietary supplements of Serracor-NK and Serra Rx260 3 times a day for 12 weeks as follows:

• Days 10-4: 1 capsule, 3 occasions per day of Serracor-NK
• Days 5-8: 2 capsules, 3 occasions per day of Serracor-NK
• Days 9-92: 2 capsules 3 occasions per day of Serracor-NK plus 1 capsule of Serra RX260 3 occasions per day (the “therapeutic dose”)

Dietary supplements have been taken on an empty abdomen (1 hour earlier than or 2 hours after a meal) with a cup of water.

This was an open-label examine, which means that the individuals knew what complement they have been taking and there was no placebo or blinding. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive illness with a build-up of fibrin within the lungs, inflicting lung tissue to thicken and change into stiff, making respiration troublesome.

After the 12 weeks of dietary supplements:

Properly being (measured with the WHO-5 Properly-Being Index):

• 62% reported a major enchancment within the well-being index
• 15% had no change in well-being
• 15% had a discount in well-being

Shortness of Breath:

• 38% reported a major enchancment in shortness of breath
• 46% confirmed a small enchancment in shortness of breath
• 15% had worsening of shortness of breath

Respiratory Questionnaire which measured signs, exercise and impacts:

• 46% very efficient enchancment
• 8% average enchancment
• 15% slight enchancment
• 31% decline in respiratory questionnaire scores

In describing the explanation for this examine, the authors state that “for the reason that components concerned in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis embrace persistent irritation, and uncontrolled therapeutic response, and progressive fibrosis or scarring, remedy with the systemic enzymes serrapeptase and nattokinase is a rational strategy.” I really feel like, you could possibly simply substitute lymphedema or lipedema into this assertion, making systemic enzymes a possible “rational strategy” for these circumstances too (however in fact, converse along with your well being care skilled first…and maintain studying to search out out about precautions).

Whereas not each affected person improved, these authors prompt that maybe these sufferers wanted an extended interval of supplementation than 12 weeks. They concluded that “the current examine means that the oral enzyme dietary supplements enhance signs and the flexibility to carry out actions, and well-being. Additional randomized placebo-controlled trails with bigger populations and for longer durations are warranted.” The dietary supplements used on this examine have been offered by AST Enzymes, in Chino, California.

Anti-An infection Actions of Serrapeptase

If you happen to’ve had cellulitis because of your lymphedema, you understand how scary and uncomfortable that may be. Many individuals with lymphedema even have repeated bouts of cellulitis and so they can dwell in worry of their subsequent assault. May serrapeptase assist scale back infections or assist your antibiotics to work extra successfully?

Cellulitis is commonly prompted from the micro organism Streptococcus pyogenes and/or much less regularly Staphylococcus aureus (Burian, 2024). As a part of the infectious course of, the micro organism create biofilms to guard themselves. The biofilms can connect to biotic surfaces like your tissue or abiotic surfaces like a prosthetic units, for instance a synthetic knee or hip. The biofilm micro organism are immune to your individual immune system and may even develop a tolerance towards antibiotics given to deal with your an infection.

Identical to serrapeptase helps the silkworm get away of it’s cocoon, serrapeptase breaks up the biofilm that micro organism kind round itself to supply a barrier towards antibiotics. This anti-biofilm capacity permits the antibiotics to penetrate into the pathogenic micro organism (Jadhav, 2020).

In a examine of staphylococcus aureus, each the methicillin-susceptible staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) sorts, serrapeptase was efficient in inhibiting the formation of biofilms.

Different Actions of Serrapeptase

Serrapeptase can also be linked to wound therapeutic, mucus discount, anti-microbial and prevention of clotting. I gained’t go into element on these attributes on this weblog, as I’m centered on utilization of serrapeptase for points associated to lymphedema and lipedema, however the references beneath could have extra info for those who’re .

Precautions for Serrapeptase

In case you are taking blood thinners, reminiscent of aspirin, plavix, brillinta and so on, then you should converse along with your well being care supplier earlier than taking proteolytic enzymes as the extra blood thinning impact of the serrapeptase could also be an excessive amount of (Shah, 2021). For a similar purpose, you would want to cease them two weeks earlier than any surgical procedure, to keep away from extreme bleeding. They haven’t been testing in pregnant or breastfeeding girls and solely in brief time period research (see Drugs.com for a full listing of precautions).

Within the examine with lung most cancers, the dosing of enzymes was step by step launched to forestall what was euphemistically known as “minor signs of intestinal cleaning“….so don’t be too removed from dwelling if you’re making an attempt these for the primary time.

Ought to I Strive Serrapeptase for my Lymphedema or Lipedema?

Being considerably impatient myself, I perceive that you really want solutions now, and don’t have the posh to attend for extra analysis that might take years. I’d counsel you converse to your well being care supplier to search out out if serrapeptase can be best for you to attempt to at what dosage. When making an attempt something new along with your lymphedema or lipedema care, it’s essential to trace your observations. For this objective, I like to recommend that you just use  lymphedema or lipedema journal.

Backside Line of Serrapeptase for Lymphedema and Lipedema

Whereas serrapeptase could also be a promising remedy for lymphedema and lipedema, extra analysis is required to completely perceive its efficacy and security. In case you are contemplating utilizing serrapeptase, it’s beneficial to talk along with your healthcare supplier first to find out if it’s the proper remedy for you.

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References for Serrapeptase for Lymphedema and Lipedema

Burian EA, Franks PJ, Borman P, Quéré I, Karlsmark T, Keeley V, Sugama J, Cestari M, Moffatt CJ. Factors associated with cellulitis in lymphoedema of the arm – an international cross-sectional study (LIMPRINT). BMC Infect Dis. 2024 Jan 18;24(1):102. doi: 10.1186/s12879-023-08839-z. PMID: 38238718; PMCID: PMC10797905.

Jadhav SB, Shah N, Rathi A, Rathi V, Rathi A. Serratiopeptidase: Insights into the therapeutic applications. Biotechnol Rep (Amst). 2020 Oct 17;28:e00544. doi: 10.1016/j.btre.2020.e00544. PMID: 33134103; PMCID: PMC7585045.

Nair SR, C SD. Serratiopeptidase: An integrated View of Multifaceted Therapeutic Enzyme. Biomolecules. 2022 Oct 13;12(10):1468. doi: 10.3390/biom12101468. PMID: 36291677; PMCID: PMC9599151.

Shah N. Effects of Systemic Enzyme Supplements on Symptoms and Quality of Life in Patients with Pulmonary Fibrosis-A Pilot Study. Medicines (Basel). 2021 Nov 5;8(11):68. doi: 10.3390/medicines8110068. PMID: 34822365; PMCID: PMC8624573.