A
formula of natural enzymes, in precisely measured
dose, gives effective relief for sufferers of sinus
problems, of problems clearing the ears in flight
and in SCUBA diving, inflammation from injury, and
in many other problems relating to swelling and
inflammation.
What's
In It?
Clear•Ease™
is made of natural fruit enzymes, Papain and Bromelain.
Papain comes from the latex of green papaya fruit.
Bromelain comes from pineapple stems and fruits.
They are called proteolytic enzymes because they
break up biological products like thick mucus.
What
Does It Do?
Proteolytic
enzymes are involved with repair and healing in
the body. They have anti-inflammatory action. In
the 50's, dozens of clinical trials that showed
that these enzymes yielded clear positive results,
when they were administered via buccal route, i.e.
dissolved slowly between the cheek and gums. Later,
however, it was often administered orally, because
this was thought to be more convenient. In fact,
digestion in the stomach reduced the effectiveness
of these enzymes, and they failed to become a popular
treatment - until recently.
Papain
and Bromelain are used for:
- aiding
digestion
- (topically)
debridement
- mucus
liquification for bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis,
otitis media, sinusitis, and infected areas
- vitreous
hemorrhages in the eye
- fibrinolysis
- dissolving clots including pulmonary embolism
- potentiation
of drugs - helps the effectiveness of antibiotics
- anti-inflammatory
effects after injury or infection
- anti-arthritic
effects - joint and muscle pain.
There
have been hundreds of articles on such enzymatic
treatments. Enzymes were found to be especially
valuable for the anti-inflammatory effects after
injury. There are several modes of action of proteases
as an anti-inflammatory agent. There is a reduction
in the viscosity of extra cellular fluid. There
is prevention of excess clot formation. There is
an aid to phagocytic function. There is a decrease
in anti-inflammatory products.
A
More Effective Way To Take Enzymes
Unfortunately,
it wasn't until recently that it was recognized
that only a small amount of the bromelain/ papain
enzyme was absorbed from the stomach. A second problem
has been that the products used for study often
were measured in grams of weight. This is meaningless;
what is needed is a measure of the enzymatic activity.
A pound of yeast won't make bread if the yeast is
dead.
In
order for the protease products to exert systemic
effects, they must be active when they reach the
inflamed sites. Unfortunately they are inactivated
by stomach and intestine. Protease activity via
oral route is only between 1 to 40% absorbed. Fortunately,
however, the activity tends to concentrate at inflamed
sites.
Reduces
Inflammation
Studies
have shown anti-inflammatory activity in sports
injuries, especially boxing and contact sports.
But they must be taken early - preferably before
the contest. Blonstein reported on boxers. He administered
the protease via buccal route. Among boxers there
was less bruising. Cuts took 1/2 the time to heal.
Healing was much faster. Results were better when
the protease was started immediately before or after
injury.
Sprains,
concussions, and pulled muscles all did better on
proteases. Several articles indicated superior healing
post operatively. In one standardized surgical procedure,
there was reduction of inflammation, pain, edema
and swelling in most subjects.
Cohen
and Goldman studies bromelain's effects on joint
status in cases of rheumatoid arthritis. 72% showed
reduction of joint swelling. Studies showed it to
be helpful in bursitis, tendinitis, and sciatica.
The
reduction of pain and swelling is somewhat similar
in protease and non steroidal anti-inflammatory
products such as naprosyn. A significant difference
is that protease enzymes accelerate healing.
Various
studies have shown that combinations of enzymes
usually work better than a single one. This is because,
for example, Papain and Bromelain have slightly
different actions so that in combination they are
synergistic.
Studies
have showed the effects of these enzymes on thinning
thick mucus.
Recommended
Uses:
I
have used the anti-inflammatory properties of the
enzymes for blocked eustachian tube. Reduction of
inflammation, thinning the mucus, reducing nasal
sinus inflammation has been so effective that I
have dozens of pilots and scuba divers on the enzyme.
I
have used the enzymes for swelling about the nerve,
as in Bell's palsy. Here the 7th nerve swells within
the bony canal in the ear and this cuts off nourishment
to that nerve. By reducing swelling we can save
the nerve.
One
of the more dramatic application has been in swelling
of the salilvary glands. These are the parotid gland,
in back of the cheek where you get mumps swelling
and the submaxillary gland, under the lower jaw.
This is called sialidinitis. (inflammation of the
salivary gland). The combination of anti-inflammatory,
thinning the secretions, reducing edema, and helping
the antibiotic get to the affected area has made
this a standard treatment for my patients when the
saliva glands are affected. Helps, even if there
is a stone blocking the duct. Occasionally this
would help the stone eject.
Temperomandibular
Joint Disorder is very common. Often the jaw opens
to the side and the patient may clench his jaw or
grind his teeth. These enzymes reduce swelling within
the jaw joint. With the reduction of swelling, normal
movement can now occur which also speeds healing.
For my patients I have them take the enzyme at the
beginning of the symptoms.
For
swollen uvula the enzymes can be very helpful. You
can get reduction of painful swelling right away.
Hoarseness
and laryngitis involve swelling and inflammation.
As soon as the vocal cords swell, the voice is altered.
For singers and speakers the smallest change can
dramatically affect the voice. Here the anti-inflammatory
action of the papain/bromelain combination is extremely
useful.
Sinus
pain is potentiated by swelling of the sinus membranes
or pressure on the membranes. The worst swelling
is a vacuum sinus pain. Here the flyer has come
down from an altitude of say 30,000 feet. On descent
the sinus cavity/cavities blocked, so now the pressure
on the outside is much greater than the pressure
on the inside of the sinus. It is like having a
4 pound weight on the cornea of the eye. The pain
is much greater than pain from a bad infection.
The enzymes reduce this readily.
In
Cystic Fibrosis the mucus is very thick. A protease
called Dornase from Genentec is used to thin the
mucus. The fruit enzymes may help with a somewhat
related mechanism.
Painful
nasal membranes occur with dry irritated enflamed
membranes. The anti-inflammatory action of the enzymes
is useful here.
With
Clear•Ease™ there is a standardized enzymatic
activity. This is carefully calibrate. The papain/bromelain
combination has been found to be more effective
than each alone because each has a slightly different
mode of action.
Most
important, this tablet is designed for buccal use.
It can be used without regards to meals. There is
no sugar in the tablet so that irritation from sugar
is eliminated. The tablet melts rapidly and there
is no "waste" from stomach acid inactivation.
Clear•Ease™
is recommended for:
- Joint
swelling
- Acute
trauma
- Eustachian
ear blockage
- Hoarseness
or Laryngitis
- Painful
throat swelling including tonsillitis.
- Painful
salivary glands.
Clear•Ease™
contains
1 million
FCCPU enzyme units of Bromelain
1/2 million FCCPU units of Papain activity.
Directions:
- Use
one 3x a day, melt in mouth between cheek and
gums. Move it about for best absorption.
- For
divers and flyers begin two days before the event.
- For
persons always plagued by blocked ears on flying,
start this 2 days before the flight.
- For
singers and speakers, start as soon as there are
any signs of voice difference.
- Boxers
should start this before the event.
- For
many infections, especially sinus and ears, use
with antibiotics will speed healing.
Partial
list of References:
BlonsteinJL.
Control of swelling in boxing injuries. Practitioner
1969;203-206 Buccal or sublingual delivery. Use
of buccal papaya resulted in less swelling, less
hematoma.
BlonsteinJL.
The use of buccal Varidase in boxing injuries.
Practitioner 1967;198:547 Cuts took 1/2 time to
heal.
Cohen
A, Goldman J. Bromelains therapy in rheumatoid
arthritis. Pennsylvania Med J 1964;67:27&endash;30.
Antiinflammatory properties of bromelain for arthritis
Cirelli
MG Bromelain use in Arthritis . Clinical Medicine
With bromelain arthritis, muscle and back pain
was improved
Craig
RP. The quantitative evaluation of the use of
oral proteolytic enzymes in the treatment of sprained
ankles. Injury 1975; 6:313 Ankles healed faster
and with less pain on enzymes.
Dietrich
RE. Oral proteolytic enzymes in the treatment
of athletic injuries. Penn. Med J. 1965;68:35
Use of protease enzymes reduced injury time for
acute sprains, contousions and strains.
Felton
G.E. Does kinin released by pineapple stem of
bromelain stimulate production of prostagalandin
like compounds? Hawaii Journal of Medicine 36(2):39
1977 Bromelain use reduces coughs and bronchitis
and relieves sinus symptoms.
Gaby
AR. The story of bromelain. Nutr Healing May 1995:3,4,11.
Use for sinus pain, blocked bronchial passages,
asthma and allergy.
Grossan,
M. Help your Patients Have a Healthy Vacation.
Consultant Magazine.April 1982, 22:4 pp256-258
papaya enzyme can be used to insure a trouble
free dive trip.
Grossan
M. Care of the Scuba Diver. Osteopathic Annals
October 1976 The use of papaya enzyme taken via
buccal route for blocked ears.
Grossan
M. Enhancing the Mucociliary System. Advance for
Respiratory Care Practitioners. April 17, 1995.
8:12-13 For chest congestion due to thick mucus,
the proteolytic enzyme can aid significantly.
Grossan
M. Office Measurement of Nasal Mucociliary Clearance.
English: Otolaryngology 1994, Vol 2 Chapter 7
Because the mucus is thinned by the enzyjes, nasal
and sinus mucociliary movement is enhanced.
Holt
HT. Carica papaya as ancillary therapy for athletic
injuries. Curr Ther Res 1969;11:621 Papain tablets
showed a significantly better than expected recovery
in sprains, strains, contusions. Best results
when started immediately after injury.
Howatt
RCL. The effect of bromelain therapy on episiotomy
wounds. J. Ostet, Gynaecol. Br. Common. 1972;79:951
Reduction of post operative pain and swelling
occured in 1,788 patients.
Ito
C, Yamaguchi K. Anti -inflammatory actions of
proteases, bromelain, trypsin, and their mixed
preparation. Nippon Yakurigaku Zasshi 1979 April
20; 75(3).227 - 37 Mixed preparations showed anti-inflammatory
actions indicating synergism. Inhibition against
edema. Inhibition against histamine induced vascular
permeability. Anti-inflammatory action seems best
against acute exudative inflammation.
Kelly
GS. Bromelain: a literature review and discussion
of its therapeutic applications. Alt Med Rev 1996;1:243&endash;57
Use for sinusitis, joint and muscle swelling and
to aid in effectiveness of antibiotics.
Lotz-Winter
H On the pharmacologiy of bromelain. Planta Medica.56
(3):249 1970 Bromelain lowers inflammation quickly.
Majima
Y, Inagaki M. The effect of an orally administered
proteolytic enzyme on the elasticity and viscosity
of nasal mucus. Archives of Oto-Rhino-Layngology
1988 244:335-359
Martin
GJ. Bromelain pineapple proteases with anti-edema
activivity. Exper Med Surg 1962;20:228-48. Reduction
of extra cellular edema.
Masson
M. Bromelain in the treatment of blunt injuries
to the musculoskeletal system. Fortschr Med 1995;113(19):303&endash;6.
Treatment for injuries to muscles and joints
Metzig
C. Bromelain proteases reduce human platelet aggregation
in vitro, adhesion to bovine endothelial cells
and thrombus formation. In Vivo, 13(1):7-12 1999
Jan-Feb Proteases are shown to have antithrombolytic
activity and is helpful for thrombosis and inflammation.
Ryan
RE. Evaluation of bromelains in the treatment
of acute sinusitis. Headache 1967;7:13-7 When
used for sinus pain, enzymes were effective in
relieving sinus pain.
Schafer
A, Adelman B. Plasma inhibition of platelet function
and of arachidonic acid metabolism. J Clin Invest
1985;75:456&endash;61. Action on platelet
aggregation is one of the antiinflammatory actions
of bromelain/papain
Seltzer
AP. Minimizing post-operative edema and ecchymosis
by the use of an oral enzyme preparaton bromelain.
EENT Monthly 1962;41:813-7 Reduction of hematoma,
swelling and pain post op.
SeltzerAP.
Adjunctive use of bromelains in sinusitis. EENT
Monthly 1967;46:1281-8. Less pain and faster recovery
when enzymes were used combined with other sinusitis
treatment
Taub
SJ. The use of Ananase in sinusitis-a study of
60 patients. EENT Monthly 1966;45: 96-8 Less post
operative swelling in patients given enzymes pre
op.
Taussig,SJ.
The mechanism of the physiological action of Bromelain
. Med Hypoth 1980;6:99-104 Bromelain acts to reduce
inflammation.
Taussig
SJ. Bromelain: a proteolytic enzyme and its clinical
application. Hiroshima J Med Sci, 24:185 1975
Sep Use of bromelain in postoperative care, wounds
and thromaboplebitis
Tsomides
J. Controlled evaluation of oral chymotrypsin-trypsin
treatment of injuries to the head and face. Clin.
Med 1969;76:40 Protease administration was effective
in reducing signs of swellng and bruising in traumatic
facial injuries
Walker
JA. Attenuation of contraction-induced skeletal
muscle injury by bromelain. Med Sci Sports Exerc,
24(1):20-5 1992 Jan Experiments showed bromelain
reduced muscle injury.
White
RR Bioavailability of 125I bromelain after oral
administration to rats. Biopharm Drug Dispos,
9(4):397-403 1988 Jul-Aug There is less than
40 percent of product available from oral administration.
