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Enzymes

Specific Recommendations:

• Wobenzym®
• Enzyme formulas at iHerb
• Bromelain

News & Research:

• The Healing Power of Proteolytic Enzymes - Dr. Murray - "Since stomach acid can destroy proteolytic enzymes, the best formulas are “enteric coated” – meaning that the pills have a coating around them to prevent the pill from being broken down in the stomach. An enteric-coated pill passes into the small intestine, where due to the pH change it will break down there" - See iHerb Wobenzym-N products.
• Proteolytic Enzymes in Cancer Therapy - Dr. Murray (.pdf)
• Natural Products for Cancer Patients - Separating Hope from Hype - Dr. Murray's Natural Facts, 10/8/03
• Pancreatic Enzymes Relieve Food Allergies - Nutrition Science News, 7/25/02
• Pancreatic Enzyme Supplements Might Counter Nutrient Malabsorption - Doctor's Guide, 12/28/01
• Oral Enzyme Therapy Reduces Radiation-Related Side Effects In Cervical Cancer - Doctor's Guide, 11/28/01
• Enzymes Can Hasten Pain Relief - Nutrition Science News, 2/01 - "Enzymes work not by stopping or blocking inflammation, but by supporting and quickening the process . . . By the third day after the operation, levels of C-reactive protein—a measure of inflammation—were threefold higher in the control group"
• Enzymes to the Rescue - Nutrition Science News, 4/00

Abstracts:

• Gastric Emptying, Incretin Hormone Secretion, and Postprandial Glycemia in Cystic Fibrosis--Effects of Pancreatic Enzyme Supplementation - J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2011 Mar 9 - "CF patients consumed a radiolabeled mashed potato meal on 2 separate days, together with four capsules of Creon Forte (100,000 IU lipase) or placebo. Healthy subjects consumed the meal once, without pancreatic enzymes. Main Outcome Measures: Gastric emptying was measured using scintigraphy, and blood was sampled frequently for blood glucose and plasma glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), and glucagon concentrations. Results: CF patients had more rapid gastric emptying (P < 0.001), impaired secretion of GLP-1 (P < 0.01) and GIP (P < 0.001), and greater postprandial glycemic excursions (P < 0.001) than healthy subjects. Pancreatic enzyme supplementation normalized gastric emptying and GLP-1 secretion and tended to increase glucagon (P = 0.08), but did not completely restore GIP secretion or normalize postprandial blood glucose. There was an excellent correlation between gastric emptying and blood glucose concentration at 60 min (R = 0.75; P = 0.01). Conclusions: Pancreatic enzyme supplementation plays an important role in incretin secretion, gastric emptying, and postprandial hyperglycemia in CF" - See enzyme formulas at iHerb.
• Drug therapy of activated arthrosis. On the effectiveness of an enzyme mixture versus diclofenac - Wien Med Wochenschr. 1996;146(3):55-8 (I thought this study was interesting because it showed that Wobenzym® was as effective as diclofenac.  In another study, diclofenac was show to be as effective as Vioxx.  That said, it would make sense that Wobenzym should be as effective as Vioxx.)