Serrapeptase is a Proteolytic enzyme (breaks proteins down into peptides and amino acids) originally discovered in the digestive system of the silk worm.

The silk worm, exiting the silk cocoon as a moth, regurgitates the serrapeptase to dissolve a hole in the cocoon large enough to make its escape. At first glance, most observers thought nothing of this simple, natural act. However, when you consider that strand for strand silk is stronger than steel, now you’ve got yourself one powerful enzyme.

Scientists in India began testing serrapeptase. Many were already aware of the use of systemic enzymes in natural medicine, and the results of the initial research were astounding.

It was quickly discovered that Serrapeptase is anti-fibrotic.

The word fibrosis comes from the root word fiber. Fibrosis is, according to the Encarta® World English Dictionary, an abnormal thickening and scarring of connective tissue most often following injury, infection, lack of oxygen, or surgery. The connective tissue scarring and thickening is caused by “fibers.”

Another related word is fibrocystic, which is an adjective meaning that a specific “disorder” involves the growth of fibrous tissues within “cysts” that usually occur in glandular tissues such as breasts.

Another disease that involves the growth of fibrous tissue, considered genetic, is Cystic Fibrosis which involves fibrous tissues in the pancreas and lungs. The immune system, in an attempt to destroy these fibrous tissues, produces an excess of mucus, which blocks up everything, resulting in respiratory infections. Cystic Fibrosis is considered a terminal illness.

One more related word here is fibrin. Fibrin is the name of the tiny fibers in the blood that help the blood clot.

Knowing all of the above and that serrapeptase is anti-fibrotic, you can easily imagine the hubbub created when the results of the early studies were released. Cystic Fibrosis suddenly doesn't look so incurable. I know one person (kind enough to write us with a testimonial) who no longer thinks his CF is incurable. He was one of the first people to tell me about serrapeptase. He tells us he’s not fully “cured” yet, but he’s not on oxygen and his life has improved immensely.

For women with fibrocystic breast disease, one double blind study showed that 85.7% of the experimental group showed moderate to marked improvement with no side effects using serrapeptase. [Kee WH, Tan SL, Lee V, Salmon YM. The treatment of breast engorgement with Serrapeptase (Danzen): a randomized double-blind controlled trial. Singapore Med J. 1989] [Aso T et al. Breast engorgement and its treatment: Clinical effects of Danzen an anti-inflammatory enzyme preparation. The world of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 1981]

The late German physician and naturopathic genius Dr Hans Nieper used serrapeptase to treat arterial blockage in people with coronary heart disease. Serrapeptase dissolves blood clots (by destroying the fiber) and so it wasn’t much of a leap to test it on oxidized arterial plaque (both prevention and removal). The scientific community has seen some promising results, but they all acknowledge that there is a lot more research to be done in this area.

The most astounding results in testing were those that focused on inflammation. In other words, not only have clinical studies shown that serrapeptase is fibrinolytic (dissolved fibrin and small blood clots), anti-edemic (prevents and cuts down swelling and fluid retention), they’ve shown it to have powerful anti-inflammatory properties with the most profound benefit of blocking the release of pain-inducing amines from inflamed tissues. [Mazzone A, Catalani M, Costanzo M, Drusian A, Mandoli A, Russo S, Guarini E, Vesperini G. Evaluation of Serratia peptidase in acute or chronic inflammation of otorhinolaryngology pathology: a multicentre, double-blind, randomized trial versus placebo. J Int Med Res. 1990] [Mazzone A, et al. Evaluation of Serratia peptidase in acute or chronic inflammation of otorhinolaryngology pathology: a multicentre, double-blind, randomized trial versus placebo. J Int Med Res. 1990]

The pain relieving qualities of serrapeptase were so astounding, that throughout Europe and Asia physicians are now prescribing it instead of NSAIDs. Additionally, we no longer need the silk worm to produce serrapeptase. Since it has become so popular in modern medicine, serrapeptase is now made in giant vats. Still the same exact compound, and not synthetic.

For those of you suffering from chronic sinusitis, we've finally found something that works, and works quite well. In double blind studies and laboratory analyses, it's been discovered that serrapeptase just thins mucus and opens sinuses. Its not going to work overnight. You will have to take the serrapeptase religiously for two weeks to a month. In the double blind studies, they realized a 97.3% success rate in the serrapeptase group as compared to a 21.9% in the placebo group. [Mizukoshi, D. et al. A double-flind clinical study of serrapeptase in the treatment of chronic sinusitis. Igaku Ayrni 1979] [Odagiri, J. et al. Clinical applications of serrapeptase in sinusitis. Med Consult. New Remedy 1970]

Considering what serrapeptase does to mucus, you can almost guess that it's been used in upper respiratory infections too. The studies I've had a chance to review show that, while it's not a cure-all for these disorders, 40% did find improvement by using serrapeptase.

With the above in mind, we went in search of the best form of serrapeptase for our readers.

Because serrapeptase is destroyed by digestive juices in the stomach, it must either be taken on an empty stomach or in enteric-coated tablets.

We found a form of enteric coated tablets that came to about $10.00 per bottle and had 4 people try them. Nothing happened.

We found another form that was in a capsule form. This form has to be taken on an empty stomach so that it gets into the small intestines. However, the caps can also be opened and the contents placed under the tongue.

I had been hard at work for a period and did not notice that I was catching a cold. When I came down with a sore throat (two sore throats actually; one when I swallowed and one lower, at the top of my bronchial tubes that I could feel when I coughed), I broke open a capsule and tried this product sublingually. When I’d held it as long as I could, I swallowed.

The upper sore throat was gone. I was impressed.

I coughed, and discovered that the lower soreness was at least 50% less.

I had read of some amazing results with lupus and sent some bottles to a friend with lupus to try it. Here is her statement:

"I have multiple health problems and began taking SP-Zyme 2 1/2 months ago. I have noticed a great reduction in Lupus flare ups and pain. I no longer take NSAIDS of any type. Any pain I may have can be managed nicely with 2 aspirins. I have also noticed that it helps with reducing sore throat in my son and daughter who recently had the flu and with sinus drainage. I now take one capsule twice a day sublingually and that seems to keep me pretty much pain free. I look forward to the improvements that I see daily." Laura Blum

We were able to test this product (SP-Zyme) ourselves and by sending out bottles. We have not had one person tell us they felt no effect. All of them are now using the product religiously. All of them have reported good results for their chronic inflammation.

The product is SP-Zyme. It is made by a company owned by women in California. We found and tested another form that was twice as expensive but not even equal to SP-Zyme in effectiveness.

Since we are rewriting our book Bypassing Bypass, you can bet that SP-Zyme will be going into this new version. As a preventive, some feel that there is none better. And there are very few side effects if any. In fact, as the drug commercials state, the side effects were the same in the control group. However, with serrapeptase studies, the control group (getting the placebo) had more side effects.

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