Why are pancreatic enzymes used as natural anti-inflammatory agents?
The proteases are important in preventing tissue damage during inflammation and the formation of fibrin clots. Proteases cause an increase in the breakdown of fibrin, a process known as fibrinolysis. Fibrin’s role in the promotion of inflammation is to form a wall around the area of inflammation which results in the blockage of blood and lymph vessels which leads to swelling. Fibrin can also cause the development of blood clots that can become dislodged and produce strokes or heart attacks. Pancreatic enzymes and protease enzyme preparations have been shown to be useful in the treatment of many acute and chronic inflammatory conditions including sports injuries, tendinitis, rheumatoid arthritis.9,10 In addition to being used as an anti-inflammatory agent in cases of trauma and inflammation, pancreatic enzymes are often used in the treatment of thrombophlebitis, a disease in which blood clots develop in veins, which become inflamed, and can dislodge to cause strokes or heart attacks.
