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What The Manufactuer Says

Vitälzym™ provides the enzymes needed for each of the millions of biochemical reactions that make life possible. Without enzymes, life could not exist.

As we age, our body's natural production of enzymes may slow. Supplementation with Vitälzym™ along with proper diet and exercise helps to maintain normal enzyme levels, balancing your body's own repair mechanisms.*

Vitälzym™ is natural. It contains no animal derivatives, artificial flavors, artificial colors, yeast or gluten. Vitälzym™ is also lactose free and contains no harmful talc.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are enzymes?

Enzymes are found in every cell of every living plant and animal, including humans. Enzymes are biocatalysts; which means that they either begin a reaction or cause a reaction to speed up. Without enzymes life would not exist.

How do enzymes work?

Enzymes work by virtue of their shape. An enzyme molecule can be compared, in shape at least, to many short strings of pearls (amino acids) strung together. This long string folds in on itself as certain sequences of amino acids (pearls) are more attracted to each other than to other sequences, thus giving the enzymes a specific shape.

At one point on the surface of this string of pearls there exists something, which looks like a keyhole. This is called the "active site" on the enzyme. When matched with its specific coenzyme (a vitamin, mineral, or trace element) this "lock" has the exact inverse contour of the "key" which is contained in the molecule of the enzyme's "substrate" (the molecule that the enzyme wants to transform into a different molecule). When the substrate appears, it inserts the "key" into the "lock." The molecular structure of the substrate is transformed into a different molecular structure and both enzyme and the newly transformed molecule go on their merry ways.

What is a digestive enzyme?

A digestive enzyme breaks down the proteins, fats and carbohydrates in food during the digestive process allowing the body to better utilize the food you eat.

What is a proteolytic enzyme?

The proteolytic enzyme digests protein. Some examples of proteolytic enzymes are protease, serrapeptase, bromelain, and papain.

What is a lipase enzyme?

Lipase enzymes digest fat.

What is an amylase enzyme?

Amylase enzymes digest carbohydrates.

What is systemic enzyme therapy?

Systemic enzyme therapy is utilizing enzyme supplementation to increase the enzymes throughout your body to assist in restoring the body to health.

What else are enzymes used for?

Enzymes are widely used in the food industry. Enzymes are also essential in the manufacture of beer.

How do you define the enzymes contained in this dietary supplement?

Proteolytic Enzymes are considered anti-inflammatory agents.

What is the recommended dosage of Vitälzym?

The recommended dosage to be taken at least 45 minutes prior to or after meals is 3 capsules, once a day. However, since each individual is different, a higher or lower dosage may be appropriate for each individual. It is important to understand each person's "activation" dosage. See the information from Dr. Wong on the activation dosage.

How long before the Vitälzym takes effect?

It may depend on the individual's physiological make-up. Everyone is different. Testimonials from some of our customers reported positive effects ranging from 3 days to 2 weeks. Taking the right activation dosage is critical to the success of the product.

What claims do you make about the effectiveness of Vitälzym?

The FDA does not allow the nutraceutical industry to make claims about their products without scientific studies being performed that substantiate the claims. Our customers can share their experience with the product but World Nutrition does not make specific claims.

Are there any side effects at all with your product?

We currently have no documented evidence of any adverse side effects based on the use of Vitälzym. You should not take this product without the consent of your physician if you are currently taking anti-coagulants, commonly known as blood thinners.

Are there any compatibility issues with other nutraceuticals?

No. In fact, since vitamins are coenzymes and minerals are cofactors to enzymes, enzymes are needed in the body for them to be able to have their full effect. In addition, the vitamins and minerals assist the enzymes. Thus, systemic enzyme use enhances the effect of other supplementation programs.

Are there any compatibility issues with any prescribed drugs?

Yes. Customers using anti-coagulants, or blood thinners, should not use Vitälzym without the consent of their physician. The enzymes enhance the effects of the blood thinning medications making them stronger.

Why do you call Vitälzym a vegetarian product?

The enzymes used in Vitälzym are plant derived with no animal products. This allows everyone, including strict vegetarians, to take Vitälzym. Some enzyme products use ingredients that are derived from bovine (cows).

How does World Nutrition grow their enzymes? Is the process ecologically safe? Does the process use any chemicals?

The enzymes in Vitalzym come from two sources; the fruit enzymes along with the Amla and Rutin are from fruit grown in organic plantations, and the protease and serrapeptase are lab grown in a protein (fungus) medium. The enzymes are then extracted from the medium so that not a trace of fungus is left on the enzyme and the purity is assured.

What is serrapeptase and where does it come from?

Serrapeptase is a powerful proteolytic enzyme. In Japan, Takada sells serrapeptase as a registered anti-inflammatory medicine under the product name Dazen. Serrapeptase is laboratory grown.

Does weather affect your product?

Exposure to heat over 150º for an extended period of time can destroy the enzymes. Store your Vitälzym in a cool, dry place, with the lid of the bottle tightly closed.

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For even more VitalZym information, may we also recommend Dr. William Wong's lecture on Systemic Enzyme Therapy, available on compact disc.

Ingredient Information

Vitalzym™ is natural. It contains no animal derivatives, artificial flavors, artificial colors, yeast or gluten. Vitalzym™ is also lactose free and contains no harmful talc.

Proteolytic enzyme (Protease)

The term "proteolytic" refers to all enzymes that digest protein. Other classes of enzymes include Amylase a digestive enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates and Lipase a digestive enzyme that breaks down fat during the digestive process. Each of these help in the digestion of food which in turn helps with absorption of those essential nutrients in the diet. In the body, proteolytic digestive enzymes are produced in the pancreas, but supplemental forms of enzymes may come from fungal or bacterial sources, extraction from the pancreas of livestock animals (trypsin/chymotrypsin) or extraction from plants (such as papain from the papaya and Bromelain from pineapples). The primary uses of proteolytic enzymes in dietary supplements are used as digestive enzymes, anti-inflammatory agents and pain relievers.

There are a number of clinical trials showing the benefit of using oral proteolytic enzymes as a digestive aid. Proteolytic enzymes are also theorized to help reduce symptoms of food allergies and to promote joint mobility and to support a body-in-balance.

Perhaps the strongest evidence for benefits of proteolytic enzyme supplements come from numerous European studies showing various enzyme blends to be effective in accelerating recovery from exercise and injury in sportsmen as well as promotion of tissue repair in patients following surgery.

Serrapeptase

Serrapeptase, also known as Serratia peptidase, is a proteolytic enzyme isolated from the non-pathogenic enterobacteria Serratia E15. The enzyme is found naturally in the intestine of the silkworm, which is used by the silkworm to dissolve the cocoon and emerge as a moth. When consumed in unprotected tablets or capsules, the enzyme is destroyed by acid in the stomach. However, when enterically coated the enzyme passes through the stomach unchanged, and can be absorbed in the intestine.

It has many clinical uses including: as an anti-inflammatory agent (particularly for post traumatic swelling), and to promote wellness.

Serrapeptase digests dead tissue, blood clots, cysts, and arterial plaque. The late German physician Dr. Hans Nieper studied serrapeptase. Clinical studies show that serrapeptase induces fibrinolytic, anti-inflammatory and anti-edemic (prevents swelling and fluid retention) activity in a number of tissues, and that its anti-inflammatory effects are superior to other proteolytic enzymes(12). Besides reducing inflammation, one of serrapeptase's most profound benefits is reduction of pain, due to its ability to block the release of pain-inducing amines from inflamed tissues(13). Health care professionals throughout Europe and Asia have recognized the anti-inflammatory and pain-blocking benefits of this naturally occurring substance.

Bromelain & Papain

Both Bromelain and Papain are plant derived proteolytic enzymes. Bromelain, also known as bromelin, is a protein-digesting enzyme extracted from the flesh and stem of the pineapple plant, Ananas comosus. Papain, is a proteolytic enzyme isolated from the papaya plant, Carica papaya. Bromelain is most notable for its effective promotion of the reduction of inflammation and decreasing swelling, but the scope of its benefits continues to increase. As a natural anti-inflammatory enzyme, bromelain has many uses. Bromelain may also be helpful for the promotion of joint and muscular health by supporting one's processing of pain, numbness, tingling, aching, and loss of motor and sensory function (CTS) (15,16). Papain has been shown to support the health of wounded tissues and and suppots removal of dead cells(17). Papain is also used for the following:

Cellular Defibrination
Promoting healthy cornea
Support the immune response to jellyfish and insect stings
To promote healthy immune response to edemas, in inflammatory processes, and in the promotion of wound healing
To support healthy digestion

Papain has been used to promote immune response to ulcers, dissolve unhealthy membranes and promote the reduction of swelling, fever and adhesions.

Amla

Also known as Indian gooseberry (Emblica officinalis) is the richest source of Vitamin C. It also contains tannic acid, glucose, protein, cellulose and Calcium. Amla is supportive for the stomach, is antipyretic, amd a hair tonic and nerve brain tonic. It may be useful to promote an improved state of well-being.

Rutin

Rutin is one of the many existing Flavonoids. Flavonoids are a class of water-soluble plant pigments. Flavonoids support health by strengthening capillaries and other connective tissue, and some function as anti-inflammatory, antihistaminic, and antiviral agents. Rutin and several other flavonoids may also protect blood vessels. Rutin was shown to promote wound healing in rats and augment the tensile strength of scar tissue significantly(18).

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References

Buck JE, Phillips N. Trial of Chymoral in professional footballers. Br J Clin Pract.1970 Sep;24(9):375-7.
Craig RP. The quantitative evaluation of the use of oral proteolytic enzymes in the treatment of sprained ankles. Injury. 1975 May;6(4):313-6.
Fisher JD, Weeks RL, Curry WM, Hrinda ME, Rosen LL. Effects of an oral enzyme preparation, Chymoral, upon serum proteins associated with injury (acute phase reactants) in man. J Med. 1974;5(5):258-73.
France LH. Treatment of injuries with orally administered Varidase as compared to Chymoral and Tanderil. Praxis. 1968 May 14;57(19):683-5.
Gal P, Tecl F, Skotakova J, Mach V. Systemic enzyme therapy in the treatment of supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children. Rozhl Chir. 1998 Dec;77(12):574-6.
Hingorani K. Oral enzyme therapy in severe back pain. Br J Clin Pract. 1968 May 5;22(5):209-10.
Rathgeber WF. The use of proteolytic enzymes (chymoral) in sporting injuries. S Afr Med J. 1971 Feb 13;45(7):181-3.
Schwinger O. Results of oral enzyme therapy in wounds of muscles, tendons and bones after accidents. Wien Med Wochenschr. 1970 Sep 5;120(36):603-5.
Duskova M, Wald M. Orally administered proteases in aesthetic surgery. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 1999 Jan-Feb;23(1):41-4.
Hoernecke R, Doenicke A. Perioperative enzyme therapy. A significant supplement to postoperative pain therapy? Anaesthesist. 1993 Dec;42(12):856-61.
Lie KK, Larsen RD, Posch JL. Therapeutic value of oral proteolytic enzymes following hand surgery. Arch Surg. 1969 Jan;98(1):103-4.
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; 18(5):379-88.
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; 18(5):379-88.
Aso T et al. Breast engorgement and its treatment: Clinical effects of Danzen an anti-inflammatory enzyme preparation. The world of Obstetrics and Gynecology (Japanese). 1981; 33:371-9.
Petry, Judy J. "Nutritional supplements and surgical patients." AORN Journal (June 1997).
Kelly, G.S. "Bromelain: A Literature Review and Discussion of Its Therapeutic Applications." Alternative Medicine Review (November 1, 1996).
Metzig, C et al Bromelain Proteases reduce human platelet aggregation in vitro, adhesion to bovine endothelial cells and thrombus formation in rat vessels in vivo. In Vivo 13 (1): 7-12 Jan-Feb 1999.
Starley, I. F.; Mohammed, P.; Schneider, G.; Bickler, S. W. The treatment of paediatric burns using topical papaya. Burns 1999 nov 25 (7) 636-9.
Wilhelmi, G. Effect of O-(beta-hydroxyethyl)-rutiside on wound healing in the rat. J pharmacology 1979 19(2):82-85.

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