Sources of Trypsin
Trypsin, a digestive enzyme that your pancreas produces, enables you to digest the protein you eat. If your pancreas is not producing enough trypsin, you may experience malabsorption, a digestive problem. If this continues, you eventually suffer from deficiencies in essential nutrients. This, in turn, can lead to certain diseases or illnesses, such as anemia.
Function of Trypsin
Your body produces many digestive enzymes. In addition, pancreatic trypsin is not the only proteolytic, or protein-digesting enzyme. Like pepsin, it breaks the bonds of specific amino acids in proteins to produce peptides 2. It also enables the absorption of vitamin B-12 from the intestinal tract. Lack of trypsin causes the vitamin to be excreted rather than assimilated, leading to symptoms of anemia and problems with nerves and the immune system.
- Your body produces many digestive enzymes.
- Lack of trypsin causes the vitamin to be excreted rather than assimilated, leading to symptoms of anemia and problems with nerves and the immune system.
Sources
Plant Sources Vs. Animal Sources for Digestive Enzymes
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Trypsin for therapeutic purposes is typically extracted from the pancreas of animals that produce meat, such as pigs. Proteolytic enzymes, which are available as nutritional supplements, do not require a doctor's prescription. Products containing trypsin vary. Manufacturers formulate different combinations of digestive enzymes with different dosages of trypsin. Dosages of enzymes may appear in international units or milligrams, which express their digestive activity.
- Trypsin for therapeutic purposes is typically extracted from the pancreas of animals that produce meat, such as pigs.
- Proteolytic enzymes, which are available as nutritional supplements, do not require a doctor's prescription.
Efficacy
Proteolytic enzymes sold in supplement form typically have an enteric coating, which consists of an acid-resistant substance that protects it from the stomach environment and then dissolves in the intestine. Trypsin often is an ingredient in supplements that are used to treat indigestion and other conditions with variable results. Studies show that some of these products may aid symptoms of pain and inflammation from osteoarthritis and aid healing from sports injuries and surgery.
Additional Information
Signs & Symptoms of Vitamin B-12 & Vitamin D Deficiencies
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The lack of more data for the efficacy of trypsin in therapy has to do with the wide variety of products available and the fact that it is not often taken alone. For those on vegetarian diets, fruits such as pineapple and papaya contain enzymes like bromelain and papain, which also are enzymes that digest protein. Like trypsin, these enzymes also are available as nutritional supplements in various formulations that you can buy in stores or online.
Related Articles
References
- "Hematology: Clinical Principles and Applications": B. Rodak, et al.; 2007
- Encyclopedia of Animal Science: Wilson Pond, et al.; 2005
- Patricia JJ, Dhamoon AS. Physiology, digestion. [Updated 2019 Jul 7]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2019 Jan.
- American Association for Clinical Chemistry. Malabsorption. Updated November 11, 2019.
- American Association for Clinical Chemistry. Cystic fibrosis. Updated October 28, 2019.
- Varayil JE, Bauer BA, Hurt RT. Over the counter enzyme supplementation: What a clinician needs to know. Mayo Clin Proc. 2014;89(9):1307-1312. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2014.05.015
- Therapeutic Research Faculty. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. Trypsin. Updated January 22, 2014.
- Shah D, Mital K. The role of trypsin:chymotrypsin in tissue repair. Advances in Therapy. 2018;35(1):31-42. doi:10.1007/s12325-017-0648-y
- Shaw PC. The use of a trypsin-chymotrypsin formulation in fractures of the hand. Br J Clin Pract. 1969 Jan 1;23(1):25-6.
- Ito C, Yamaguchi K, Shibutani Y, et al. Anti-inflammatory actions of proteases, bromelain, trypsin and their mixed preparation. Nihon Yakurigaku Zasshi. 1979;75(3):227-237.
- Yamashita K, Mimori K, Inoue H, Mori M, Sidransky D. A tumor-suppressive role for trypsin in human cancer progression. Cancer Res. 2003;63(20):6575-8.
- Wald M, Zavadova E, Pouckova P, Zadinova M, Boubelik M. Polyenzyme preparation Wobe-Mugos inhibits growth of solid tumors and development of experimental metastases in mice. Life Sci. 1998;62(3):PL43-PL48.
- Soreide K, Janssen EA, Körner H, Baak JP. Trypsin in colorectal cancer: molecular biological mechanisms of proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. The Journal of Pathology. 2006;209(2):147-56. doi:10.1002/path.1999
- Miller PC, Bailey SP, Barnes ME, Derr SJ, Hall EE. The effects of protease supplementation on skeletal muscle function and DOMS following downhill running. J Sports Sci. 2004;22(4):365-72. doi:10.1080/02640410310001641584
- Nemours Chidren's Health System. A Long-Term Prospective Observational Study of the Incidence of Fibrosing Colonopathy.
- Ma W, Tang C, Lai L. Specificity of trypsin and chymotrypsin: loop-motion-controlled dynamic correlation as a determinant. Biophys J. 2005;89(2):1183-93. doi:10.1529/biophysj.104.057158
- Deitrick RE. Oral proteolytic enzymes in the treatment of athletic injuries: a double-blind study. Pa Med. 1965;68(10):35-37.
Writer Bio
Lexa W. Lee is a New Orleans-based writer with more than 20 years of experience. She has contributed to "Central Nervous System News" and the "Journal of Naturopathic Medicine," as well as several online publications. Lee holds a Bachelor of Science in biology from Reed College, a naturopathic medical degree from the National College of Naturopathic Medicine and served as a postdoctoral researcher in immunology.