Nutraceuticals and nootropics for anti-aging

Enzyme supplement prevents adhesions, alleviates bronchitis

A popular German supplement, consisting of various enzymes in a dosage form that allows them to survive passage through the stomach and to be absorbed in the blood, is used in Europe to treat a variety of conditions, many of them inflammatory in nature. (The best-known such product in Europe is Wobenzym®.) Most of these enzyme supplements contain the protease bromelain as a primary ingredient. In the U.S., LifeLink’s Poly-Zyme is such a bromelain-based enzyme supplement.

Bromelain preparations have been used as treatments for obstructive bronchitis for many years, based on limited clinical studies and a lot of strong anecdotal evidence.¹ Now a recent clinical trial has put this treatment on a stronger scientific footing.²

A new area of application for bromelain supplements is the prevention of abdominal adhesions — the formation of fibrous connections between tissue in and around the digestive tract after abdominal surgery. These connections can lead to serious complications that require further surgery. A clinical study has now shown that when a bromelain-based supplement is taken after surgery for appendicitis, such adhesions can be prevented.³

References

[1]  Systemic enzyme therapy in basal treatment of cystic fibrosis and chronic obstructive bronchitis in children Poster at ECFC, Berlin, June 1998

[2]  Wobenzym in treatment of recurrent obstructive bronchitis in children. Georgian Med News. 2005 Oct;(127):50-3

[3]  [Polyenzymatic therapy in prevention of adhesive processes in the abdominal cavity in children][Article in Russian] Vestn Khir Im I I Grek. 2006;165(1):49-54

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LifeLink carries Poly-Zyme 021, a bromelain-based supplement.