Systemic Enzyme Therapy Supplement to The Art of Getting Well

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Systemic Enzyme Therapy

Supplement to The Art of Getting Well

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" Medical data is for informational purposes only. You should always consult

your family physician or one of our referral physicians prior to treatment -

The Arthritis Trust of America

Article provided by:

The Arthritis Trust of America

Sources are given in references.

Authors of contributions\quotations are alphabetically arranged; major

author, if any, is underlined.

John Beard, Herxheimer, Dr. Inderst, Kleine, Dr. Kunz, Jaeger, Prof.

Seifert, Hector E. Solorzano del Rio, M.D., D.Sc, Ph.D, Prof. Wolf, Dr.

Wrba/Responsible editor/writer Anthony di Fabio. This remarkable doctor sits in

the only

chair for Alternative Medicine, in the Second largest university in Mexico,

University of Guadalajara.

All rights reserved by the The Roger Wyburn-Mason and Jack M.Blount

Foundation for Eradication of Rheumatoid Disease

AKA The Arthritis Trust of America,

7111 Sweetgum Road, Suite A, Fairview, TN 37062-9384

Copyright 1994

People must know that the correct medical name for the therapeutic use of

natural enzymes is " Systemic Enzyme Therapy. " This means that enzymes flow

throughout our body, producing the desired healing effects.

For an accurate description of Systemic Enzyme Therapy, one needs to know a

little bit about the structure and function of enzymes, in general.

You must know that without enzymes, there is no possibility of life, in

animals, plants or persons. Enzymes are essential for each and every reaction

in

a living organism.

We could even follow the arising of life on earth, if we think of enzymes

that were necessary for the evolution in each stage. Oxygen from the air arose

because certain new enzymes were formed by single plants that released

oxygen. These plants had learned to produce certain enzymes that separate

oxygen

from carbon dioxide in the air. Today, we accurately know how this works. Every

second we change; every second we become a new human being. This is because

more than 2,700 different enzymes act with an incredible speed to keep our

vital functions in order.

Since ancient times it was known by Egyptians and the Arabians that there

was an invisible force which made all living things shift. It was a mysterious

force that transforms one substance into another; milk became a cheese,

grapefruit to wine, etc.

Enzymes are catalysts, or rather we should say, " biolcatalysts. " We are

dealing with determined substances whose presence causes the transformation of

an

organic substance and it also accelerates it, just as a catalyst would do

it. Today we know what these enzymes are and how they act.

Catalysts produce, with a small effort, a big effect. Nature can not waste

energy. In technical terms, enzymes are albuminoid, macromolecular bodies,

with a complex structure and are active biocatalytically speaking. These

albumins are made of 20 different amino acids. Each enzyme is specific not only

in

its substratum (the place where they react) but also in its effect. In 1930 we

only knew 80 enzymes. In 1993 we know more than 2,700 enzymes. However, we

do not know how many are left to be discovered.

Enzymes are necessary for the adequate functioning of our whole metabolism.

In our body, every part of it is related to all the rest; that is, that even

one tiny disturbance, biochemically speaking, can result in a complete

imbalance. Diseases are the consequence of this disorder.

In biochemistry, when something is designated with the ending " ase, " one can

almost be sure that we are talking about an enzyme. In the early stage of

the discovery of the enzymes, they were known with names that ended usually

with an " in, " like the well known pepsin and trypsin.

Enzymes are constantly produced within our body. Described in a simple way,

there are certain organic molecular pieces that in small quantities are

required to form these enzymes. These pieces are the vitamins, minerals and

trace

elements. Altogether they are called " co-enzymes. "

The deficiency of any of these co-enzymes will result in a specific medical

condition. For example, vitamin B1 deficiency will elicit " beri-beri. " The

vitamin B12 deficiency causes a special anemia called " pernicious anemia. " The

same thing happens with deficiency of essential minerals and trace elements.

Basically, in these cases, we are speaking of an illness elicited by a

disturbance in the enzymatic balance.

These co-enzymes, in fact, are different from the enzymes. It was already

said that enzymes are made of albumin and the co-enzymes are not. The enzymes

are rather large molecules. On the other hand, co-enzymes are rather small.

Enzymes are not consumed in the true sense during their activity, while

co-enzymes are consumed in it and they must be replaced through our diet.

To act adequately, enzymes must be exposed to certain physical conditions.

Each of them needs a specific temperature and pH, which causes them to have

different speeds of action. To have an appropriate idea of the speed, you must

know that lysozyme (an enzyme that helps in the elimination of bacteria)

produces a change of approximately 30 molecules of substratum per minute, that

is, every 2 seconds. On the other hand, the fastest degrader among the enzymes

is quite different, it is carboanhydrase, which changes an incredibly 36

millions of substratum in only one minute.

Some enzymes live only 20 minutes and must be replaced by new enzymes of the

same type, recently produced. Other enzymes remain active for a period of

several weeks before they are eliminated and when they are, they are eliminated

because of their age.

At the Program for Studies of Alternative Medicines of the University of

Guadalajara (Mexico), we have researched the therapeutic value of these natural

proteolytic enzymes in the treatment of acute and chronic clinical

conditions. We have had the opportunity of reaffirming that enzymes are

catalytically

active polymer compounds made of amino acids. They are involved in virtually

all of the vital metabolic processes. They set metabolic conversions in track

(in train), control energetic processes and regulate syntheses. Without

enzymes, nothing goes on at all within an organism.

It is therefore normal to use enzymes for therapeutic purposes. Substitution

in intestinal enzyme deficiency conditions is a classical treatment modality

that no one would dispute. External use of enzymes for impaired wound

healing (e.g. in the presence of varicose ulcers) has been part of the

armamentarium of medical practitioners for centuries. Parental lytic therapy

with

streptolinase or urokinase for cardiac infarct or for vascular occlusions is

today

standard throughout the world.

Enzymes are very highly substrate specific. Due to their different places of

action, it is therefore reasonable to use mixtures of enzymes in the

treatment of diseases. One important enzyme is called the hydrolases, which

cleave

complex compounds (esters, peptides, and glycosides).

There are some substances that are very similar to co-enzymes. They look so

similar that our body can not distinguish between them. In fact, our system

does not see the difference and tries to use them as real active enzymatic

centers. Of course, the enzyme compensated by such substances (not the true

co-enzyme) do not work and the biochemical error makes us sick. For example,

when

poisoning rats, these poisons very frequently contain an aromatic, vegetal

substance known as cumarine. The animal and the human organism see the

cumarine as if it were co-enzyme vitamin K. This vitamin K has a definitive

role in

the production of the enzymes necessary for coagulation. If the body receives

cumarine, it incorporates it into the enzymes, instead of incorporating

vitamin K, and so the necessary enzymes for coagulation stop functioning. The

blood liquefies in a way that causes the rats to bleed to their death.

When we get sick, particularly in the case of an infectious disease, our

temperature rises. This is an intelligent way by which nature accelerates the

activity of our enzymes to try to get rid of the problem.

To bring about certain tasks of great importance within our organism and to

keep our system in a perfect equilibrium between too much and too little, the

enzymes work most of the time in continuous steps, that is, in what is

called " enzymatic cascades. " One enzyme activates the next enzyme, and, in

turn,

that enzyme activates another enzyme, until one last enzyme finally produces

the desired effect. This happens due to nature's design to conserve energy,

because these small individual steps require much less energy than big

complicated ones. On the other hand, nature desires safety, in that our bodies

must

be sure that these enzymatic cascades are not activated unless really

necessary. That is why there are two security systems. If one enzymatic cascade

is

wrongly activated, there can be dangerous consequences that may lead to death.

The first lock of the security system is to produce new enzymes, but the

characteristic of these enzymes is that they are active. That is, they will not

work until they are activated by certain changes in the structure of the

amino acids. Thus, the innocuous enzymes flow all over the lymphatic system and

the bloodstream. Whenever the body needs to have a certain effect, a

corresponding enzymatic cascade is activated accordingly.

The inhibitors of the enzymes are the second security system. In

biochemistry they are so-called " enzymatic inhibitors. " These proper enzymatic

inhibitors of the organism can avoid the activation of the enzymes when the

quantity

of enzymes is too large.

Other several substances have been discovered to help to neutralize certain

enzymes, and by this means we can intentionally act on the process of

metabolism. The most famous drug in the world, " acetylsalicilic acid, " works

according to this principle. During a very long time, the fact that

acetylsalicilic

acid neutralized enzymes was unknown. We used the substance as a pain killer

simply because we knew it worked. This acid can be stored firmly as a foreign

substance in an enzyme with the complicated name of " cyclooxigenase. "

Cyclooxigenase plays an important role in the processes of coagulation and

inflammations. Thus, the acid inhibits the coagulation of blood and then blood

becomes more liquid. It also inhibits the processes of inflammations, and this

way

the inflammations and pains are diminished.

Think about antibiotics, for example, penicillin; or about steroids, that

is, cortisone. These substances also are enzymatic inhibitors. What medical

science is doing, then, is using this knowledge in the symptomatic treatment of

diseases.

Enzymes are widely used in the food industry. Enzymes are essential in the

manufacture of beer. But our interest is in three medical fields. So, in this

area, enzymes are used in: (1) analysis, (2) pharmaceuticals and, (3)

therapy.

Enzymes are very important in paraclinical diagnosis. For example, in the

past it took a long time to determine the blood sugar level. Today, we can use

a special tape, wet it with some blood or urine, and in 60 seconds know our

blood sugar level. What we are doing, is using our knowledge about the way

enzymes react.

In the pharmaceutical area, it was already mentioned that many of the drugs

used today are in reality enzymatic inhibitors, such as cytostatics,

antibiotics, steroids, etc. Everybody knows that these medicines have different

adverse side effects. It would be better to help our body to react, instead of

inhibiting it.

After many years of experience in analysis and pharmaceutical areas, it was

thought that these powerful enzymes could be used in the therapeutic field,

too. This way, a new area of enzymatic therapy began. It was applied to

alleviate disturbances in the metabolism, that is, impairments in the functions

of

the organs and to repair genetic faults.

Soon scientists concluded, thanks to these new biochemical tools, that the

genetic defects could be corrected or neutralized by means of the application

of enzymes. Besides, the genetic defects are enzymatic defects. So far there

have been reported in the medical literature more than 150 diseases that are

due to enzymatic faults genetically conditioned. This means that the

patient's organism does not form a specific enzyme or it manufactures and

places a

similar enzyme which has only weak activity. This weak enzyme replaces the

right one.

An enzymatic defect genetically conditioned is found also especially in

certain human races. For example, the black population is affected by an

enzymatic defect genetically conditioned that can lead to the so-called anemia

of

falciform cells, while half of the Japanese people suffer from another

hereditary metabolic error. They lack an enzyme, so-called aldehyde

dehydrogenase.

This enzyme is required to degrade alcohol. This is the reason why Japanese

people are more sensitive to drinking alcohol. Most women have the same

enzymatic

defect.

Some of the enzymatic defects genetically conditioned have different kinds

of consequences that are hardly noticed, while others have a remarkable effect

in the display of disease.

DIGESTION

We can say that in spite of the different foods we eat, they all are made of

carbohydrates, proteins and fat.

To be able to transform these three basic food substances into biochemical

substances, so that our body can take advantage of them, we need also three

groups of enzymes; the proteolytic, enzymes (proteases), degraders of proteins,

the lipolytic enzymes (lipases), degraders of fat and the amilolytic enzymes

(amilases), degraders of carbohydrates.

This enzymatic transformation begins in the moment we place a piece of food

in our mouth. As always seen in nature, there is an order. Carbohydrates are

first degraded, then albumins and finally fat.

But enzymes not only degrade foods. They also play a specific role in the

process of absorption of substances. There are several enzymes that are

essential as transporters of the nutrient substances.

We can understand now that when we eat too much, we can help our body to

digest more easily our foods by taking some medicine, which contains digestive

enzymes.

ENZYMES, GREAT HEALERS

When someone gets sick of any disease we can be sure that something is wrong

with his/her enzymes. If the enzymes had been able to eliminate the cause of

the disease, then the person would not have become sick.

What we logically must do, in almost any disease, is to replace the type and

quantity of the required enzymes as soon as possible. Our body will

automatically do the rest.

It is so simple, we just take some enzymatic tablets to help ourselves. In

emergency situations, we can administer them in great quantities through

injections or even rectally.

The defense mechanisms of the organism are fortified by the enzymes. They

are important for all the inflammatory processes, they take care to keep a good

blood circulation, they help in wound healing of any kind and even in the

case of abnormal cells they regulate cellular growth and fight against viruses.

These features are impressive. They embrace almost all the conditions which

we nowadays call " chronic diseases. "

Of course, enzymes can be taken as a preventive measure against many

diseases.

One great problem is obtaining an effective formula of enzymes, as some

governmental authorities do not permit the use of a mixture of active

substances.

It is essential to have a mixture, otherwise the therapeutical effect

desired will not be produced. In the literal sense, any food has a mixture of

" drugs " [or chemicals] such as vitamins, minerals, trace elements, amino acids,

etc. And, we combine these more complexly when we combine foods.

There are some monoenzymatic preparations, but their therapeutic effect is

very limited. Many studies have been done regarding the effect of an enzyme

used alone and also used in a mixture. There is a clear synergistic effect when

combined with more than one enzyme. For example, bromelain, we'll say, has

an effect factor of 1, but if we combine bromelain with papain -- which we'll

say also has an effect factor of 1 -- the resulting effect will not be their

sum of 1+1 = 2, but rather 1+1 = 3, or perhaps even 1+1 = 4. This is due to

their natural ability to act synergistically.

In reality, it is difficult to get a monoenzymatic preparation, since, for

example, pancreatin itself is composed of at least 12 enzymes.

Enzymes are very safe. A lethal dose (LD-50: the LD-50 is the measure of the

dosage necessary to kill off one-half of a trial group of rats, and is a

standard used to measure safety of most drugs) could never be found. Rats, for

example, were fed with the equivalent of 2,500 tablets for 6 months, with no

significant changes and no harmful effects. Horses were also fed with the

equivalent quantity of 250 tablets daily for 6 months, too, with no problems.

No

toxicity has ever been found.

Since enzymes are natural agents, they can be included in the category of

the biological response modifiers (BRM). This means that they do not alter the

physiology of our body, instead, they just stimulate our bodies to act

according to its own inner wisdom. This is really fascinating. Enzymes will

work

only if they are needed to do so.

Caution must be taken in certain specific cases. Hemophilic patients should

not take enzymes. We can say the same thing concerning the patients who have

a risk of hemorrhage. The reason is that enzymes liquefy blood and make

coagulation slower. In case of pregnancy, we must ponder the risk. But all the

studies in animals have demonstrated no teratogenic effect by enzyme mixtures.

Scientific research has proven that enzymes not only have a synergetic

effect, as a mixture, but also elicit the same kind of effect when they are

combined with antibiotics, sulfonamids, steroids and other drugs or medicines.

Regarding synergy with chemotherapy, we have seen an increase in the effect of

the chemotherapy from 8% to 40%. This is wonderful, because it means that we

can diminish, in certain cases, the dosage of cytostatic medicines without

decreasing their therapeutical effect. About 5% of the patients who take

enzymatic mixtures will have a mild side effect. It consists simply in a change

of

the odor in their stools.

Systemic enzyme therapy is a form of therapy that has been taken over from

naturopathy. Today it has a firm place in the spectrum of treatment available

under the aegis of mainstream medicine -- despite all hostilities. Extensive

research made this possible.

It has always been believed that enzymes do not reach the whole organism.

This is because it is thought that enzymes are not absorbed in the intestines.

The reason for this belief is that enzymes are macromolecules. A

macromolecule has a weight of at least 1,000. Enzymes have a weight between

16,000 and

60,000 atoms per molecule.

Everybody knows that new born babies get antibodies from their mothers

through the mother's milk. These antibodies must cross the barrier of the

intestines' walls to reach the lymphatic vessels and the bloodstream. These

antibodies are also macromolecules that have a size similar to that of enzymes.

The

antibodies are also called gammaglobulins.

Prof. Seifert (Chirurgischen Universitat-Klinik) in Kiel, fed rats and dogs

with equine gammaglobulins radioactively marked to demonstrate on a

scientific basis the absorption of these macromolecules. These equine

gammaglobulins

have a molecular weight up to 12,000 atoms; that is, they are extremely large.

These gammaglobulins were absorbed. This means that they arrived through int

estines to the blood and could be found all over the organism of the rats and

dogs.

Nowadays, there is no doubt about the absorption of enzymatic mixtures.

HOW DO ENZYMES WORK?

It is very important to remember that medicine does not heal, neither does

any other remedy. We know that doctors do not, in the strict sense of the

word, cure any disease. All of them can contribute through very different ways

of

supporting the body, but the healing and the maintenance of health is a task

done by one's own defense system of the body.

We cannot speak about the treatment of diseases, or detoxification of the

organism, without also including the immune system. We begin with grippe and

finish with AIDS, and there is nothing that could be done without taking into

consideration the field of immunology.

It is difficult to explain in simple words what the immune system is all

about, but I will try to make it simple.

The cells, such as bacteria and viruses, are recognized by our body as

enemies, that is, as " antigens, " but also some other chemical substances and

mutated cells act as antigens. In response to the presence of these antigens,

our

body produces " antibodies. " The antibodies that couple with an antigen form

an " immune complex. " Macrophages are in charge of destroying these immune

complexes enzymatically. But these macrophages look for large immune complexes,

so sometimes the medium size immune complexes are ignored. These ignored

complexes begin to flow through our lymphatic system and bloodstream until they

finish sticking on a tissue wall, penetrating that tissue. Eventually they are

stored there. From that moment on, these immune complexes become pathogenic,

that is, they can cause a disease.

During this situation, we also find macrophages less active because the more

immune complexes we have, the more inhibited is the activity of the

macrophages. We have then arrived at a vicious circle, where one bad situation

produces the other bad situation, and that one in turn producing the first

situation.

When the number of immune complexes is so high, the second defense system of

our body is alerted. The second immune system is called the " complement

system. " It is also made of a cascade of nine enzymes activated one by one.

When

the whole enzymatic cascade has been activated, a huge dissolvent activity of

albumins begins and this causes an inflammatory reaction. In consequence,

the tissue is destroyed and suddenly that which we call an " auto immune

disease " arises; the organism attacks itself.

If, for example, the immune complexes are fixed in the renal tissue, then

through the activation of the complement system, an inflammation can occur in

the kidney, resulting in what we know as glommerulonephritis. In this

particular case, clinical trials have been undertaken and so now we know that

what

the enzymes do is to interrupt the enzymatic cascade of the complement system.

There are many similar diseases elicited by the activation of the complement

system. All of them are so-called " autoimmune diseases. " Until recently they

were considered as incurable diseases, because they could only be influenced

medically very little, if any, that is, chronic inflammations of the

intestines, such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. This kind of

sickness is

due to the immune complexes in the intestinal tissues.

The interruption of the complement system cascade always works to avoid

damage upon ourselves. To achieve this, we dilute enzymatically the pathogenic

immune complexes and we activate the macrophages. This way, we are interrupting

the vicious circle that leads to chronic degenerative diseases.

Depending on the organ where these immune complexes are fixed is where the

disease is produced. For instance, if the lung is involved, then the result is

pulmonary fibrosis. If the pancreas is involved, then we will get a

pancreatitis, and so on. The list of the diseases of autoagression caused by

immune

complexes is very long. The type of disease does not depend only on the place

where the immune complexes are fixed, but also on the origin of the antigen.

Among the typical diseases of autoagression, we can find chronic articular

rheumatism, glommerulonephritis, and ulcerative colitis. The diseases due to

virus, bacteria or certain parasites can also lead to autoagression diseases;

for example, as in infectious hepatitis, herpes zoster, toxoplasmosis, etc.

Orthodox medicine frequently uses two kinds of remedies. One is the kind of

anti-inflammatory drugs which only suppress the symptom but not the disease.

The other kind are so-called immune suppressors. These drugs weaken the

body's own defenses.

More scientists are taking an interest in the biochemical method of systemic

enzyme therapy. Enzymes are adequate to dissolve and to eliminate immune

complexes. They also stimulate the body's defenses and accelerate inflammatory

mechanisms.

In the beginning of the treatment, an apparent impairment may occur, since

the enzymatic mixtures can destroy the immune complexes that are fixed in the

tissues. So, enzymes take the immune complexes back to the bloodstream.

Because of this, there is a greater quantity of circulating immune complexes

and

this temporary increase can temporarily increase the symptoms in the patient.

[Herxheimer effect.] However, the enzymes, in a short time period, if they

are administered in the right dose, will certainly eliminate the titurated

immune complexes that have once again entered the blood stream.

During the Second Mexican National Congress on Enzyme Therapy, Dr. Kunze

reported fascinating findings of his immunolgical research. He says that there

is no disease where the immune system is not involved. Now we know that

enzymes can help to avoid the formation of autoantibodies. They can inhibit the

production of immune complexes. They are useful in avoiding the activation of

the complement. They mediate the action of the citoquines, as well as the

fibrin.

Clinical trials have been done on the systemic enzymatic treatment of many,

many diseases. There are two main ones to be discussed herein. When one

speaks about hope in the case of Multiple Sclerosis, one must be sure of what

one

is saying. We all know how terrible this disease is. According to Dr. Hector

E. Solorzano del Rio, M.D., Ph.D., D.Sc., chairman of the Program for Studies

of Alternative Medicines of the University of Guadalajara, it has been

scientifically proven that enzymes indeed help MS patients.

The etiology of MS is unknown. We know that there is a demyelinization, that

is, the nerve fibers lose their myelin and the symptoms arise. There are

certain factors that seem to influence the appearance of this medical

condition,

such as is the case of hereditary factors, dietary factors, etc.

Another factor found in MS patients is a deficiency of unsaturated fatty

acids.

One final theory says that viruses can be the etiological factor for MS.

Different clinical trials around the world have confirmed that the MS patients

have higher levels of circulating immune complexes.

Dr. Solorzano tells about one of his MS patients, named Jose. He is 40 years

old, in a wheelchair, and desperate. He had received all known orthodox

treatments with no results. So, he took the enzymatic treatment. In one month

Jose felt more strength in all of his muscles. He could again take care of

himself regarding dressing himself. In three months he could walk, but with

some

difficulty. After six months of enzymatic treatment, he was no longer sick. He

is very happy and now lives a productive life.

Hundreds of patients have been treated with enzymatic therapy, with good

results, not only in Germany or Mexico, but in many other countries.

It is important to remember that patients also have dietary care, and that

they are also given unsaturated fatty acids. Most of them have a deficiency in

selenium, and so we prescribe accordingly.

The sooner the patient receives enzymatic treatment, the faster the

improvement will be noticed. Of course, if the patient has not taken immune

suppressors, then, again, the response will be seen earlier.

We can also talk about a very frequent but not cured disease by orthodox

medicine. This is Rheumatoid Arthritis. Its etiology is not yet known. There

are

many theories. Some scientists say that it is an autoimmune disease.

There are millions of people suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis.

In this kind of disease we find high levels of circulating immune complexes.

So, this points out that we are really dealing with an autoagression

disease. Here the immune complexes are fixed in the articular capsule, that is

why

eventually the joint will be destroyed.

The regular (traditional) medical treatment is a symptomatic one. The

patient receives a prescription of anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesic drugs,

gold,

cortisone and in the worst cases, cytostatic drugs; i.e., methotrexate, etc.

All that these drugs provide is temporary relief. They will not stop the

arising of immune complexes, except cortisone. Besides the side effects are not

mild and innocuous (including the use of cortisone). Sometimes the side

effects are quite dangerous.

Some double blind clinical trials have been done in Germany using, on one

side, enzymatic mixtures, and on the other side, gold salts. One main study

lasted six months. The scientists were surprised when they knew that they got

the same good results using any of them. (In a double-blind clinical trial, the

doctor does not know which tablets are whose, and neither does the patient).

The great advantage was that the enzymes were very much better tolerated and

had no side effects.

INFLAMMATION

Enzymes are not anti-inflammatory drugs, instead, they promote the

inflammation; this is, inflammation is the marvelous response from our body to

a

noxious stimulus. Most times we look at inflammation as something bad and to be

avoided. It should not be so. It is the way our body is trying to get rid of

the harmful foreign agents.

The classical signs of inflammation are; pain, tumor, heat and blush. When

inflammation ends, the body repairs the area affected. So, if the inflammation

finishes sooner, then the repair will begin earlier. That's the reason why

enzymes are promoters instead of inhibitors of inflammation.

If we try to think of a disease which has as a feature inflammation, we'll

find that such diseases are those that their names finish with " itis. " Such as

tonsilitis, colitis, otitis, dermatitis, etc. Thus, we can easily conclude

that enzymatic mixtures are excellent for any of these " itis " diseases.

Enzymes will help our body to heal itself.

In studies made at the University of Guadalajara, Dr. Solorzano has used

enzymes not only to treat sports injuries, but also -- read this carefully --

TO

PREVENT them. This means that patients will take enzymes before playing

their sports. When they become injured, the injury heals in a significantly

shorter time period. Some times it is almost half of the regular time. It's

incredible!

One very frequent and elective wound is one made by the surgeon. Although a

surgical operation is for the good of the patient, it is still an aggression

to our body. Our system will react the same way if it had been produced by

any other harmful agent. Those patients who receive enzymatic treatment before

and/or after surgery will have some important advantages. They will stay in

bed less time, the risk of a thrombosis will be much less, the patients have a

better psychic state, the pains will go earlier. During surgery the

operation field will be better. Patients under enzymes will have a better and

faster

wound healing, and last but not least, they will spend less money because of

hospital costs.

The area where enzymes work the best is in vascular diseases, such as

thrombosis, phlebitis, and varicose veins. Enzymes avoid the formation of

thrombosis. They lower cholesterol levels and triglycerides.

Dr. Inderst (1990) has reported on the effect of enzyme therapy in vascular

disease and found that enzymes cause a definite reduction in symptoms (pain,

cramps) and a measurable improvement of objective findings (e.g. swelling)

even when lymphedema was present for many years.

Until now the treatment of venous and lymphatic vessel diseases, especially

when combined with edema, gave insufficient results. Compressive therapy is

rejected by many of the patients suffering from these diseases, so it may be

necessary to treat the main symptoms with drugs. Systemic enzyme therapy is a

proven method; it diminishes the edema, activates the fibrinolytic system,

and stimulates cells like macrophages. The pain and the cramps disappear,

swelling goes away, and blood flow increases in a short time. The efficacy of

certain enzyme mixtures has been tested by double-blind studies.

CANCER

About 100 years ago, a British embryologist, John Beard, decided to treat

cancer patients. He knew that the important enzymes are produced mainly by the

pancreas. He had a theory about the etiology of cancer, where pancreatic

enzymes were involved. He wanted to try some clinical research with terminal

cancer patients, so he extracted the pancreatic juice of the pancreas of pigs

and

calves just born. His solution had then a high concentration of these useful

enzymes.

Almost immediately after the extract was ready, he injected it into his

cancer patients.These injections were applied slowly intravenously or

intramuscular. Sometimes, when the tumor was available near the surface of the

body, he

injected right into it.

Of course, not all of these treatments were a success, due to the lack of

purification of his extract, as it contained strange albumins which in some

cases elicited allergic reactions and even some anaphylactic shock. You can

easily imagine that this provoked an immediate reaction from his colleagues. He

was seen as a quack.

Eventually Dr. Beard had the opportunity to observe how certain tumor masses

really disappeared due to the effect of these enzymatic injections. He also

noticed how many of his cancer patients survived longer than the expected,

according to the orthodox expectancy rates.

He treated a total of 170 patients with this method. In 1907 he wrote a book

describing his experiences with these patients. Some patients were totally

recovered, some improved, and some lived longer with a better quality of life.

Almost everything about Dr. Beard was forgotten until Prof. Wolf, who had an

office in New York, decided to research enzymes. After reading literature

that was written and researched on enzymes, Prof. Wolf wanted to continue the

study of these wonderful biological agents.

Prof. Wolf noticed that by using purified mixtures of enzymes there were no

risks of frequent allergic reactions.

We know that the war against cancer has not been won. Many people around the

world die of cancer every day.

There are many non-toxic approaches to treat cancer, but since our aim in

this paper is to speak about enzyme therapy, we'll concentrate on how they are

beneficial in the treatment of this disease.

Each cancer cell has on the surface of its membrane, specific antigens. It

is naturally ideal when the body can recognize these markers -- by being

released from the fibrin -- because the cancer cell can be destroyed after

this.

Although the cancer cell is destroyed, however, the antigen remains. By means

of a change in its membrane, the cancer cell can sometimes throw off its

antigen. It seems that cancer cells do this, so that our defenses go in the

wrong

direction. Regrettably, this trick really works. If the number of formed

immune complexes is kept within the normal limits and our defenses are alright,

then our macrophages can embrace and dissolve these immune complexes. If the

number of immune complexes is superior to the strength of the macrophages,

then some immune complexes remain not dissolved in the blood, as well as in the

lymph.

By means of a complicated mechanism -- we talk about activation and

aggregation of thrombocytes -- it promotes a greater formation of fibrin, by

depositing the not dissolved immune complexes in the tissue. This normally

diminishes

defenses. And this fact in turn is especially dangerous in the case of an

organism threatened by cancer.

The immune complexes can weaken the body's defenses in another way. Too many

immune complexes inhibit the activity of the macrophages, which are the main

destroyers of the cancer cells. Their capacity to destroy and to clean out

the system is paralyzed. Thus cancer cells can grow without being bothered by

macrophages.

What the enzymes do to help is that they discover the receptors. Enzymes

also facilitate the reaction of recognition. Another important action of the

enzymes is to improve immunity, which is done by breaking the circulating

immune

complexes by activating the natural killer cells and the T-cells, and also

by inducing mediators and cytokines, such as TNF, Tumor Necrosis Factor.

Enzymes have the ability to reduce the thick fibrin layer which is

abnormally 15 times thicker than normal. By reducing this fibrin layer the

stickiness

of the cancer cells is also diminished, and by this means we can prevent

metastasis.

One advantage of using enzymes is that we can combine them with orthodox

treatment, that is, chemotherapy and/or radioactive therapy. As a bonus, the

patient will have less side effects by combining these natural enzymes.

The world-famous professor and doctor from Vienna, Dr. Wrba, states that

enzymes are a new approach to cancer treatment. There are two main factors in

the treatment of cancer cells (1) defense of the host and (2) virulence of the

cancer cells. As has been already said, systemic enzyme therapy increases the

defense mechanism, that is, improves the recognition reaction of the cancer

cells, plus lowers its virulence. In doing so, Wrba feels that this action

causes modulation of the cell membrane, uncovers the cell surface and

receptors, improves immunity, facilitates the recognition reaction and reduces

the

stickiness of the tumor cells.

VIRAL DISEASES

Jaeger (1990) investigated the use of hydrolytic enzymes in the treatment of

HIV infection and stated that there are increasing indications that

autoimmune processes are involved in the destruction of the immune system that

is

fundamental to the pathogenesis of HIV infection.

According to Jaeger, a number of autoimmune mechanisms have been replicated

in the pathogenesis of HIV infection, particularly in the more advanced

clinically symptomatic stages of the diseases. Thus, different auto-antibodies

and

increased levels of circulating immune complexes have been described.

Thus, enzyme therapy becomes an adjuvant form of treatment. As mentioned

earlier, the immune complexes can be eliminated by the hydrolytic enzymes.

Results indicate that this form of treatment was well tolerated, patients

improved

in functional ability and also gained weight. The clinical symptoms typical

of the HIV infection were reduced.

Kleine (1990) states that in herpes zoster patients there are typical

dermatological findings in the distribution area of one or several peripheral

nerves. Pain in this area exist almost always, and internal organs may also be

involved. The course of the disease is relatively invariable. The nerve pain

can

out last the cutaneous manifestation for a long time (post zoster

neuralgia). Elderly people and those who are immunodeficient due to diseases or

drugs

are especially at risk. Systemic enzyme therapy represents a new principle of

therapeutic action.The studies indicate a positive influence of the enzymes

on the acute form of herpes zoster as well as on the complications.

SUMMARY

Enzyme therapy has long been part of the methods of treatment of traditional

medicine. Meanwhile, enzymes have even become one of the most innovative and

expanding drug groups, and systemic therapy with proteolytic enzymes has

become an important method of treatment in natural medicine.

There is hardly any regulatory system in our body which does not depend on

enzymes. Enzymes control coagulation and fibrinolysis, inflammation and

complement activity, phagocytosis, wound healing and tissue regeneration as

well as

the specific and non-specific defense systems. Here the enzymes function as

biocatalysts.

The idea of supporting the weakened or stressed human body in fighting

disease by administering enzymes seems very reasonable. After all, the

structures

and various functions of some 2700 enzymes have already been discovered in

the human organism.

The most important enzymes used in therapy are hydrolases, which split

ester, peptide and clycoside bonds by introducing a water molecule.

The tasks and goals of enzyme therapy are manifold. Enzymes are used to

support the body in stress situations, such as chronic or acute inflammations,

digestive disorders, vascular or malignant diseases. A further field of

application for enzymes is substitution in enzyme defect disorders. The

classical

examples of this are pancreatic insufficiency or blood clotting disorders due

to deficient clotting factors.

Each enzyme has different effects. It is therefore reasonable to use

combinations of enzymes to ensure a sufficiently broad spectrum of effects and

via

synergism for greater efficacy.

The absorption of enzymes

The pharmacological principle of systemic enzyme therapy depends on the

absorption of enzymes as intact molecules after oral administration. Thus their

biological effects are fully preserved. The tablets or coated tablets must

resist gastric secretion, to prevent destruction by the acid milieu of the

stomach. Once in the small bowel, the large enzyme molecules, like all

macromolecules, may be absorbed in two ways:

1. They may bind to specific receptors in a particular area of the

intestinal mucosa, and be transported through the gut's epithelium

(pinocytosis).

2. They may be taken up by lymphocytes " roaming " in the lumen of the bowel,

and be released again after passage through the gut wall.

In this way about 25% of the administered dose may find its way into the

circulation and the lymph system still in an active form.

As already stated, it is important that the structure responsible for

enzymatic activity remain largely intact so that the enzyme retains its

activity.

In the blood, enzymes do not exist in a free form but are bound to a

carrier, e.g., the antiproteinase, a2-macroglobulin. This protects the enzyme

from

interactions with other molecules and " neutralizes " potentially allergenic

properties of these proteases. In spite of this carrier binding, the enzyme

remains active.

The fact that, after absorption from the gastrointestinal tract, these

enzymes reach their site of action via the blood and lymph systems, is referred

to

as " systemic action. "

Enzymes promote the body's own regeneration processes.

Certain proteolytic enzymes possess pronounced anti-inflammatory and

anti-oedematous properties. They promote the breakdown of toxic metabolites and

inflammatory products and thus contribute substantially to the detoxification

of

the human body. Simultaneously, the additional fibrinolytic activity of the

enzymes and the " vessel-sealing " effect of rutin accelerates the blood flow.

Together with the dissolution of fresh blood clots (microthrombi), this allows

normalization of the microcirculation.

Therefore, the inflammatory products that mediate pain are eliminated more

quickly, the improved blood supply enhances local oxygenation, and tissue

tension decreases in parallel with the reduction in oedema. All of this

provides

some analgesic effect.

In sharp contrast to the mechanisms of action of conventional non-steroidal

and steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, systemic enzyme therapy thus does not

block the natural healing processes of inflammation.

It is also characteristic for some enzymes, that they activate or stimulate

macrophages and natural killer cells (NKcells). These cells have a

well-recognized essential role in the body's own immunological defense. They

are part

of a larger system, the reticulo-endothelial system.

Therefore, enzymes also affect the whole of the body's immune system as a

" biological response modifier. " Macrophages stimulated by the enzymes secrete

tumour necrosis factor (TNF) and other cytokines. For these two reasons,

enzymes are predestined to become a future chemotherapeutic agent, they do not

lead to the destruction of all cells with high mitotic activity, but only of

those that are actually malignant.

A further characteristic feature of enzymes is their carrier function.

Enzymes are able to transport antibiotics and cytostatic drugs to sites which

would be nearly impossible for them to reach otherwise. Enzymes can therefore

be

used as " transportmedia, " e.g., in the therapy of sinusitis, prostatisis,

bronchitis or specific tumours.

Enzymes destroy immune complexes

Immune complexes arise from the combination of an antigen with an antibody.

If the antigen is formed by the body itself, as, for instance, in rheumatism,

or if very large complexes form through the conglomeration of several

antigen and antibody molecules, pathogenic immune complexes may result. This

may

subsequently lead to autoimmune disease, especially if these complexes activate

the complement system. In conventional medicine, pathogenic immune complexes

are eliminated via plasmapheresis, lymphopheresis and cryoprecipitation. It

is much easier, however, to remove the pathogenic immune complexes using

enzymes that activate the " phagocytic macrophage system, " or by breaking down

the

large complexes into smaller ones which can be eliminated far more

efficiently.

These mechanisms of action justify the large number of indications for

systemic enzyme therapy; it is, therefore, the basis of treatment in acute and

chronic inflammatory conditions, autoimmune diseases such as polyarthritis,

states of impaired resistance (viral and neoplastic diseases), and also for

vascular conditions, in which the additional improvement in blood flow is of

great

importance. There is also increasing evidence for their prophylactic

efficacy (prevention of tumour metastases.)

CONCLUSION

(Instructions for side effects during use)

Orally administered enzymes should not be taken with food. They should be

taken at least one hour before or 1-1/2 hours after meals. Otherwise, there is

a risk that some of the dose will merely help to digest the food.

From the start, relatively high doses must be used in systemic enzyme

therapy, since enzymes are large molecules and their absorption, transport and

distribution are different from those of small molecules.

It is worth emphasizing, that even with large doses taken over prolonged

periods of time, no immunological dysregulation will occur.

Concomitant oral administration of vitamin preparations represents an ideal

adjunct to systemic enzyme therapy. For this purpose, emulsions are

particularly suitable, especially in higher dosages.

RESOURCES

In Mexico, for further information, including clinics, organizations or

referral to practitioners, you can contact:

Dr. Hector E. Solorazano del Rio, M.D., D.Sc.

Programa de Estudios de Medicinas Alternativas

Universidad de Guadalajara

Calle Escuela Militar de Aviacion No. 16

Guadalajara, Jal. MEXICO

Mailing address:

Dr. Hector E. Solorazano del Rio

Universidad de Guadalajara

Apartado Postal No. 2-41

44280 Guadalajara, Jal.

MEXICO

Tels. (3) 637/7237, 6515476

Fax (3) 637/0030, 619/3722

REFERENCES

1. Systemische Enzymtherapie in der Rheumatologie. 15 Abeitstagung in

Munchen am 15 Juni 1991.

2. Systemic Enzyme Therapy, Medizinische Woche, 27th October to 4th

November, 1990 Baden Baden, Germany.

3. Adjuvant therapy with hydrolytic enzymes in oncology -- a hopeful effort

to avoid bleomycinum induced pneumotoxicity? by M. Schedler. 432 J. Cancer

Res Clin Oncol 1990.

4. Absorption of Intact orally ingested protein molecules from the Gut.

Cichoke Anthony. Nutritional Perspectives. 1992.

5. Seminario de Terapia Enzimatica Sistemica. Universidad de Guadalajara.

Programa de Estudios de Medicinas Alternativas, 1992.

6. Segundo Congreso Nacional de Enzimoterapia. Mexico City, March 1993.

Explanation of Alternative Medicine by Dr. Hector Solorzano del Rio, M.D., ,

Ph.D., D.Sc.

To facilitate comprehension for the patients who come to me on their first

visit, I always explain to them through a leaflet, and when I see them, the

following:

1. We claim that there is no cure-all medicine. All the different treatments

may be good, but the secret is to find which ones to use and how to combine

them. Most of the physicians are fanatic about the medicine they particularly

practice. This is an error. There are cases in which surgery is unavoidable.

We never put in danger the life of our patients. I still practice surgery

when necessary. Now you can understand how I can combine many therapies. I take

the good part of them all.

2. There are no sicknesses but sick ones. In (conventional) allopathic

medicine, we try to find the diagnosis and consider everyone the same. It is

like

putting a label on each patient. In alternative medicine, everyone is

different, so, although many patients can have the same allopathic diagnosis,

we can

treat them in a different way, because of the distinct imbalance found in

each of them. The same thing happens within nutritional therapy. I can have

many patients suffering from arthritis but maybe one has a subclinical

deficiency of boron. Another can have a subclinical deficiency of magnesium and

so on.

3. When we treat a patient, we treat the whole body. In alternative

medicine, we do not divide the patients into parts, that is, there are no

specialties. You know, in allopathic medicine a specialist can give you a

medication

that will disturb another organ. Then, you have to see another specialist, who

will give you another medicine, which, in turn, will disturb another organ and

so on. All medications, in allopathic medicine, have side effects; most of

them are adverse.

4. To find out the micro-bioelectronic imbalance of the patients, I use

different machines, such as the Dermatron invented by Dr. Voll to measure the

electrical potential of the cells. We do this in certain points, so called

measurement points. The normal reading is 50 in a scale of 100. Readings below

indicate a degenerative process and readings above, mean an inflammatory

process.

5. According to the imbalance, I choose the treatment " individually. " There

are 216 alternative medicines and I recommend to patients the treatments that

I think are best for their case in particular.

6. As patients look for good doctors, doctors look for good patients, that

is, we need our patients to indeed want to help themselves. We, the doctors,

are only the instrument by which God will heal them.

7. Every patient receives a diet in quality, not in quantity, based on the

principle by Hippocrates, " let your food be your medicine and your medicine,

be your food. " We design the diet according to the microbiolectronic readings

of each person.

8. We also keep the premise from Hippocrates " first, do not harm. "

Sometimes, the allopathic treatments are more aggressive than the clinical

condition

itself.

9. I follow the Hippocratic philosophy that says Natura Vix Medicatrix, that

is, Nature Heals. What I do, then, is only to stimulate the homeostasis

(natural force to keep our body in order) of the patients. This way, I can say

that they heal themselves. I am giving them a little push to help them.

Brief Curriculum Vitae

Hector E. Solorzano del Rio, M.D., Ph.D., D.Sc.

Medical Doctor (Surgeon) from Universidad de Guadalajara

Master of Acupuncture Degree from Chinese Culture University, Taiwan

Doctor of Science from Open International University for Complementary

Medicines

Professor of Pharmacology at Universidad de Guadalajara

Professor of Traditional Practices at the Specialty on Public Health Course

at Universidad Guadalajara

Coordinator of the Program for Studies of Alternative Medicines at

Universidad de Guadalajara

Organizer of more than 150 seminars on Alternative Medicines at Universidad

de Guadalajara

Lecturer in several congresses domestic, as well as national and

international ones

Author of many articles for different magazines for laymen and for doctors

President of la Sociedad de Investigacion de Acupuntura y Medicina Oriental,

A.C.

President of La Sociedad Medica de Investigaciones Enzymiaticas, A.C.

Co-author of the book Enzyme Therapy published by Universidad de Guadlajara

Co-author of the book Tunia (Infantile Massage)

Breve Curriculum Vitae

Medico Cirujano y Partero egresado de la Universidad de Guadalajara

Maestria en Acupuntura en la Chinese Culture University de Taipei

Doctorado en Ciencias en la Open International University for Complementary

Medicines.

Profesor de Farmacologia de la Universidad de Guadalajara

Profesor de Practicas Tradicionales en la Especialidad de Enfermeria en

Salud Publica en la Universidad de Guadalajara

Coordinator del Programa de Estudios de Medicinias Alternativas de la

Universidad de Guadalajara, donde se han hecho muchas investigaciones sobre

varias

diferentes medicinas alternativas.

Organizador de mas de 150 seminarios sobre medicinas alternativas.

Ponente en varios congresos tanto locales, como nacionales e internacionales.

Autor de mas de 100 articulos para varias revistas tanto legas como medicas.

Presidente de la Sociedad de Investigacion de Acupuntura y Medicina

Oriental, A.C.

Presidente de la Sociedad Medica de Investigaciones Enzimaticas, A.C.