Serratia peptidase, also known as serrapeptase, is a natural enzyme produced from bacteria that is originally found in the intestines of the silkworm. Silkworms use the enzyme to break down and dissolve their cocoons.

In the same way, this proteolytic enzyme works like a “pac-man” to seek out and break down or “digest” dead or damaged tissue made of protein in the body, without harming living tissues. It digests inflammations, scars (non-living tissue), blood clots, cysts, arterial plaque, and inflammation in all forms.

Doctors in Asia and Europe have been prescribing serrapeptase to treat various forms of inflammation for the past 30 years, yet in North America, where it is considered a supplement, is remains relatively unknown.

It has been shown to reduce pain, mucous build-up, and symptoms of inflammation, including those from post-surgery swelling, arthritis, injury, sinusitis or disease. Some sources have suggested it may help remove heavy metals from the body and in turn potentially help support the immune system and hormone imbalances.

Popularized by the late German physician Dr. Hans Nieper, who used it to treat his patients, serrapeptase treats many different chronic pain and inflammation conditions:

Cardiovascular Disease – Serrapeptase gradually cleans out plaques (made of fat, cholesterol, cellular waste, calcium, and fibrin) in the arteries by dissolving them, thus eliminating the inflammation at the root of plaque formation.

Chronic Bronchitis – Serrapeptase loosens sputum (heavy mucous) and reduces the chronic coughing and expectoration, which causes a lot of pain in bronchitis.

Pain Control– Serrapeptase is a natural pain control substance which blocks the release of pain causing compounds from inflamed tissues. It helps with traumatic injuries, like sprains and torn ligaments, and is effective for treating post operative pain and edema/swelling.

Scarring – All types of scars can be significantly reduced with the use of serrapeptase for 3+months because it dissolves fibrin, a component of scar tissue.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome – Serrapeptase addresses the underlying causes of inflammation, while digesting the dead, inflamed tissue in the colon.

Ear, Nose, & Throat Issues – Serrapeptase eases the inflammation associated with chronic allergies without the side effects of typical sinus medications and treatments.

What Does Serrapeptase Do?

Realizing that serrapeptase is anti-fibrotic was an interesting discovery because many health conditions are the result of abnormal thickening or scarring of fibrous connective tissue. Known as fibrosis.

Fibrosis is any disease where excess fibrous growth is present such as with:

Plaquing of the arterial walls (atherosclerosis)

Fibrocystic breasts

Uterine fibroid tumors

Scarring after injury

Scarring after surgery

Cystic Fibrosis; affecting the exocrine glands (secreting glands; mucus, hormones, etc.) of the lungs, liver, pancreas, and intestines.

Blood clots; due to the fibrin in blood

The action of serrapeptase doesn’t stop there. It is an effective enzyme against

inflammation in all its forms. In other words, inflammation of the joints, the digestive system as well as other organs.

This is done as a result of serrapeptase breaking the dead tissues and excess fibrin , thus eliminating the body’s defense mechanism which is known as inflammation. The body is then able to clean out the burdensome dead tissues and fibrin growths, allowing for the healing process to begin more effectively.

Inflammatory health conditions that serrapeptase is effective against are:

Ulcerative Colitis

Crohn’s Disease

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Serrapeptase, by helping the body eliminate dead tissues and fibrin growths, is extremely beneficial to those suffering from autoimmune disorders such as:

Multiple Sclerosis

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Psoriasis

Allergies

Cancer

Serrapeptase in these cases, not only break-down the dead fibrin tissues, but also serve as a healthy alternative to NSAIDS (aspirin, ibuprofen), and powerful steroids that are sometimes used for pain control.

Conditions that have been helped by Serrapeptase

Pain (of all kinds)

Arthritis

Arterial plaque

Headaches caused by inflammation

Multiple Sclerosis

Lupus

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Psoriasis

Emphysema

Bronchitis

Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Asthma

Sinusitis

Eye conditions caused by inflammation

Injuries and trauma

Post operative scarring

Inflammatory bowels diseases

Cystitis

Fibroid tumors

Fibromyalgia

Fibrocystic diseases

Varicose Veins

Cardiovascular diseases

Subclinical chronic inflammation; premature aging

Serrapeptase is currently being studied and used for a vast array of applications for human health and disease prevention. This includes further research into therapeutic use for nerve damage, multiple sclerosis, chronic ear infections, hay fever, lung congestion, swollen glands, laryngitis, rhinitis, chronic pain, arthritis, back and neck pain, diabetes, ulcers, osteoporosis, prostate problems, rheumatoid arthritis, sports injuries, post operative scars and lesions, breast cysts, varicose veins, arterial diseases, angina, and blood clots.

Any disease or condition that involves inflammation (which is anything that ends in “itis”), cysts of any type, asthma, emphysema, and excessive mucous production can all be treated with serrapeptase.

Serrapeptase for Pets

There are many testimonials online from grateful pet owners who have found excellent results using serrapeptase to treat a variety of conditions, as well as a product made specifically for pets/animals, called Serrapet.

Dosages

Regarding the conversion of mg and IU for serrapeptase, the answer is not that easy. There appears to be a different standard of conversion depending on what company you choose to buy from. There is some research that has used the ratio of mg of serrapeptase which equals 20,000 units of activity, however not exclusively.

There has also been research done with 200 mg or 20,000 IU.

With this in mind, it would be best to not try to compare the two, but rather stick to one measurement or another.

The dosage varies depending on the condition you are trying to address or if you are simply using the enzyme for maintenance purposes. However for purposes of dosages, we will use serratiopeptidase units (SPU). Here you can find more information regarding the different meanings of enzyme activity.

Dosages range from:

10,000 SPU – 250,000 SPU

Take 1 – 2 capsule per day for minor ailments or maintenance. The therapeutic dosages can be as high as taking to 7 capsules of 250,000 SPU twice per day.

Serrapeptase should be taken on an empty stomach for best results.

There doses seem to be the concern regarding the “blood thinning” properties of serrapeptase, so let’s clarify what is really meant by “blood thinners”.

Technically, the blood cannot get “thin”. What happens when you take something that acts to “thin the blood”, like an Aspirin or something stronger such as Coumadin, is that the blood becomes less viscous (less sticky) so the blood can then flow more freely. The blood itself has not changed, but rather the mechanism that allows (or disallows) for free flow has. This is a subtle concept, more an important one.

There are many things that can impede blood flow such as:

Platelets sticking together

Clotting

Plaquing

Inflammation

Interaction with Other Medication

Will serrapeptase interfere with a drug therapy being used to “thin the blood”?

There appears to be no concerns with taking serrapeptase at the lower dosages. The really cool thing about this enzyme is that whether you take lower doses or higher doses, you will ultimately achieve the same effect. One just takes a bit longer than the other.

If you are concerned regarding any interactions, please consult a knowledgeable doctor. I say knowledgeable because this enzyme has a great deal of research supporting it. So if your current doctor dismisses the idea of trying serrapeptase, he/she is basing the opinion without having read the research.

If this is the case, please seek out a doctor that is open to all methods of healing.

Especially methods that have been shown to be effective as well as better for your overall health!

Remember, there is only one you…it is your right to be in control of your health!