Systemic Enzymes vs. NSAIDs
for Pain & Inflammation
By Doctor’s Prescription for Healthy Living
 Systemic Oral Enzymes vs. NSAIDs
Based on a thorough review of the pertinent
literature, international experts have come up with the following
guidelines to explain the benefits of systemic enzymes to you and your
doctor.
- Systemic oral enzymes are not a drug. They support
healthy processes.
- Systemic oral enzymes have no side effects (in
contrast to NSAIDs).
- The benefits may take time; however, after
discontinuation the beneficial effect continues for several weeks (in
contrast to NSAIDs).
- All joint conditions can benefit from systemic oral
enzymes. The clinical efficacy of systemic oral enzymes has been
demonstrated in different locations of the body: hip, knee, finger,
and spine.
- Virtually all common stages and types of joint
conditions can receive health support, even very late ones. Ideally,
early cases should result in stabilized cartilage metabolism and joint
function.
- Patients of all ages can use.
- Systemic oral enzymes have a preventive effect.
- The time for surgery can be temporarily postponed
in case surgery is necessary. After the intervention of systemic oral
enzymes, the regeneration of the joint tissues and cartilage may well
ensue.
Wobenzym N & Joint Health
In the case of arthritis, we recognize that the use of
aspirin and related drugs provides safe, effective relief for millions
of people who have occasional, short-term arthritis pain and swelling.
However, continuous use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
for long-term pain conditions can lead to severe gastrointestinal
problems in many cases. Some 15,000 to 20,000 people die each year and
over 100,000 are hospitalized due to ulcers and other stomach problems
caused by aspirin and NSAIDs.
Wobenzym N, the world’s most thoroughly researched systemic
enzyme preparation, has been, for many years, second only to aspirin in
sales in Germany and was ninth overall for sales among all “drugs” in
that country. The only difference, of course, is that Wobenzym N is an
all-natural preparation. It is a non-drug, simply a combination of five
potent systemic enzymes.
A recently completed study on experimentally induced
rheumatoid arthritis provides clear-cut evidence that systemic oral
enzymes not only are highly effective—they can aid in preservation of
afflicted joint tissue. In the study, published in the Journal of
Rheumatology (28;9:2049-59), systemic oral enzymes were shown to
offer strong protection to the joint matrix. In this case, rheumatoid
arthritis was experimentally induced by collagen injections. Support
consisted of a systemic oral enzyme preparation (made by the same
company that manufactures Wobenzym N and closely related to Wobenzym N),
ibuprofen, or a placebo for four weeks, while one group received no
collagen and thus maintained normal joint health.
Measurements and x-rays were used to examine redness,
swelling and overall joint tissue health. While swelling and redness
were similarly reduced in both the enzyme and ibuprofen groups, the
group receiving the enzymes experienced superior joint health with a
smooth layer of cartilage with thickness comparable to the group without
experimentally induced arthritis. One of the lead investigators for the
study, Steve Emancipator, M.D., professor of pathology at Case Western
Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, previously reported similar
findings in the International Journal of Immunotherapy in 1997, at which
time his research team concluded that the systemic oral enzyme
preparation “protects articular cartilage significantly better than
ibuprofen in this… model of rheumatoid arthritis, despite equal
anti-inflammatory potency.”
Translated into human health implications, that means
systemic oral enzymes are able to help preserve joint tissue.
With Wobenzym N, we also have great clinical results.
Clinical Results – Osteoarthritis
In one study among 80 osteoarthritis patients,
Wobenzym N was pitted against the NSAID diclofenac. Patients
received either seven coated Wobenzym N tablets four times daily and two
capsules of placebo or seven coated tablets of placebo four times daily
and two 50 mg capsules of diclofenac. The groups were similar with
respect to symptoms. An evaluation of all principal criteria examined
revealed equivalent therapeutic results in both groups after four weeks.
Meanwhile, an Austrian study found systemic oral
enzymes provide safe, effective support for osteoarthritis. Researchers
studied 73 patients who had osteoarthritis of the knee. After three
weeks, overall reduction in pain was similar in both groups. The study,
conducted by Drs. G. Klein and W. Kullich of the Rehabilitation Center
for Rheumatic and Cardiovascular Diseases, Saalfelden, Austria, was
published in July 2000 in Clinical Drug Investigations.
When it came to measuring pain and knee function using
the standard Lequesne index, both groups improved continuously and
equally, according to statistical evaluation. The researchers concluded,
“Short-term evaluation indicates that oral enzymes may be considered an
effective and safe alternative to NSAIDs such as diclofenac in the
treatment of painful gonarthritis.”
The authors reported no gastrointestinal problems with
the systemic enzyme formula. Many other peer-reviewed clinical studies
have shown that the product has no serious side effects and is extremely
safe, even when taken in large quantities or for long periods of time.
The Austrian study is the latest to confirm the health
benefits of
Wobenzym N and related systemic enzymes, not only for health
support among people with osteoarthritis, but also in rheumatoid and
other cases of immune-related arthritis.
Clinical Results – Rheumatoid Arthritis
In Eilat, Israel, at the International Congress for
Advances in Immunology and Allergology at the Threshold of the XXI
Century, held from May 3-6, 2000, additional clinical results confirm
use of Wobenzym N for rheumatoid arthritis. This study enrolled 60
patients with confirmed diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.
Thirty patients received seven tablets of
Wobenzym N tablets, three times per day, while another 30
patients received a weekly dose of 7.5 mg of methotrexate, a drug used
to control severe rheumatoid arthritis. The majority of the patients in
both groups also received diclofenac (100 to 150 mg per day), while some
patients received the corticosteroid prednisone.
The onset of therapeutic effect (diminishing of the
pain intensity, morning rigidity, reduced inflammatory and immune
activity) with Wobenzym N was observed as early as one to two months
after the beginning of the therapy, while in the control group the same
effect was observed only after three to four months. Use of Wobenzym N
instead of methotrexate resulted in equivalent healing results. In the
majority of patients of both groups, no x-ray or ultrasonographically
confirmed progress of the disease was observed.
Clinical Results – Ankylosing Spondylitis
 Ankylosing spondylitis is a severe, inflammatory
arthritis of unknown cause. It can make your life miserable by giving
you severe back pain, often moving into the middle and upper back area
all the way up to the neck, sometimes to the point where movement in any
direction is severely limited; for the sufferer, even turning his head,
bending, or stooping may be difficult, if not nearly impossible, to do
without great pain. Early morning stiffness and many other physical
limitations accompany this condition.
In its advanced form, almost total immobilization of
the spine can occur, resulting in what’s called the straight “poker
spine.” This very painful condition affects some 300,000 people and is
especially common in men. Activity and pain relievers are probably the
best antidote to this troubling, all too often debilitating condition.
If the condition becomes severe, the sufferer’s posture may become
deformed.
Reports have been made concerning the positive
influence of oral enzymes on ankylosing spondylitis. In 1980, Dr. H.
Reinbold reported of his astonishing 35-year-old patient with the
condition whose complete remission had persisted for at least 12 years.
This report and other case histories which have also
progressed similarly led Dr. K.M. Goebel to test the effect of the
enzyme formula Mulsal, an oral enzyme formula also manufactured by Mucos
Pharma GmbH, makers of Wobenzym N, and very similar in composition to
Wobenzym N. In this study, the oral enzyme preparation was
compared with indomethacin in a randomized, clinical, double-blind study
on 40 patients with this painful condition.
The cumulative pain scores were evaluated
statistically at the end of therapy. The analgesic potency of the
enzymes was found to be less than that of the NSAID at the beginning of
therapy—but was found to be significantly superior after three months of
therapy. The tolerance of the enzyme preparation rated by physicians and
patients was “good,” whereas tolerance was found to be “moderate” for
the NSAID.
The New COX-2 Inhibitors
When tens of millions of patients take any medication
there will be reports of unusual adverse health events seen simply
because these serious problems will occur in any large population with
or without medication. Proving they are caused by use of that medication
under these circumstances is often most difficult. However, when they
are serious or life-threatening events, they certainly cannot be
ignored.
NSAIDs, including the newer COX-2 inhibiting drugs
like Vioxx and Celebrex, have, however, much more common and, at times,
serious side effects such as gastric ulcers, gastrointestinal bleeding,
kidney dysfunction or failure, and allergic reactions, among many
problems.
It is important to recognize that what you bring to
the medication in terms of your own health risks clearly is a major
factor in deciding if your personal safety is at risk. Thus, if you have
had previous gastric ulcers or are elderly, have had kidney problems or
require many other medicines such as blood pressure tablets and
diuretics (water pills), you should discuss this with your own doctor or
health advisor.
Appropriate Systemic Enzyme Use
So, it is on this basis that many doctors including
allopathic and naturopathic can now recommend to patients systemic oral
enzymes. However, keep in mind, despite their international recognition
as therapeutic agents, systemic enzymes are sold as a dietary supplement
in the United States where the only claims that can be made are those
for supporting health. This is a very positive way of using them, too.
In the context of health support, using systemic oral enzymes makes a
lot of sense. We suggest working with a qualified doctor or health
professional if you wish to use systemic oral enzymes and you are using
other drugs or medications for a health condition.
Suggested Dosage
To utilize Wobenzym N for joint health, product
recommendations are to take 3 to 5 tablets, 2 to 3 times daily, in
between meals. But for more difficult situations, increasing your
morning dosage to 10 to 15 Wobenzym N tablets, followed by smaller
amounts two or more times during the day can be more therapeutic.
Resources
For more product information on the Wobenzym N, click here.
Article:
“Wobenzym N – 29 Million People Already Know This Secret”
Article:
“Is Your Body Secretly on Fire with Inflammation? A Simple Blood Test
Can Tell”
The statements contained in this article have not been
evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information contained
here is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Suggestions and ideas presented in this document are for information
only and should not be interpreted as medical advice, meant for
diagnosing illness, or for prescriptive purposes. Readers are encouraged
to consult their health care provider before beginning any cleanse,
diet, detoxification program, or any supplement regimen. The information
in this document is not to be used to replace the services or
instructions of a physician or qualified health care practitioner. |
