Papaya is not only a tasty fruit, but also a source of a lot of useful substances and microelements. These include the plant enzyme papain, which accelerates the interaction of substances with water. It promotes the breakdown of proteins, peptides and complex amino acids.
Papain is present in large quantities in unprocessed papaya. Traditional healers fell in love with the fruit for its ability to improve digestion, reduce pain and stop inflammatory processes.
How to use
Papain-Active ointment is applied with massage movements to the back, shoulders, lower back and neck. It is necessary to rub until the gel is completely absorbed.
The procedure is carried out before bedtime. Ideally, an electrophoresis procedure using Karipazim solution was carried out before this.
When using papain gel externally, there is no risk of overdose. The only possible side effect is an allergic reaction due to personal intolerance to the substances in the gel.
Papain tablets are a type of dietary supplement. It is not considered as an independent drug and is used as part of complex therapy.
The maximum dosage of papain for an adult is 500 mg, the minimum is 45 mg. Taking tablets should be carried out in accordance with the instructions, and depends on the concentration of the substance in 1 tablet; take 1-2 pieces 3 times a day, regardless of meals.
Enzyme release form and rules of administration
You can find several forms of papain on sale:
- Liquid extract . It is most often used to add to skin and hair care cosmetics. The extract is absolutely safe and does not irritate the epidermis.
- Chewable tablets and lozenges . They have a pleasant taste, you can either chew or suck them until they are completely dissolved, or swallow them with a sufficient amount of water.
- Capsules . A form of dietary supplement familiar to most users that is tasteless and odorless. Papain powder is enclosed in a cellulose or gelatin shell that easily dissolves in the gastrointestinal tract.
Papaya enzyme in chewable tablets (photo by blog editor)
Exact instructions for using papain should be found on the manufacturer's packaging or follow your doctor's recommendations. Typically, the drug in the form of hard tablets or capsules can be swallowed before meals. Lozenges and chewable tablets should be swallowed during or after meals.
Why is it useful?
Papain is a valuable discovery for modern man. Why do experts love this plant enzyme so much?
- Breaks down proteins to a state suitable for easy digestion. This is especially important for gastrointestinal diseases and recovery periods after surgery.
- The active substance accelerates healing and has a positive effect on tissue regeneration.
- The enzyme has antipyretic properties and is part of natural remedies against fever.
- Papain destroys harmful microbes and can be taken orally or externally.
- It has a pronounced anthelmintic property.
- It is an effective laxative, as well as a bile and diuretic.
- Due to the fact that the enzyme improves intestinal function, it is compared with pro- and prebiotics.
- Papain stimulates the immune system, increases the body's resistance to diseases and viruses.
- It is actively used in cosmetology due to its rejuvenating effect.
- Promotes weight loss.
- Helps build muscles.
Papain is used in cosmetology, pharmacology and food production.
Papain and pancreatin
What to do if your digestion needs support? Pancreatin is a medicine that is prescribed by your doctor, and self-medication is known to be dangerous. In this case, papain will be an excellent solution.
What to choose: pancreatin or papain
Pancreatin has been on the market for more than 10 years. The domestic, cheap drug is not inferior in effectiveness to new drugs. But, it gets it from materials of animal origin and has a number of side effects.
Papain is a new plant-based analogue of an enzymatic agent, which reduces the risk of side effects.
Conclusion - make an informed choice! For prevention and improvement of well-being, you can and should resort to taking papain, and we have already written about bonuses above. If the situation is related to the doctor’s prescriptions, then we recommend that you adhere to them and discuss the issue of replacing pancreatin. Remember, the choice is yours - consider side effects and think strategically about your health!
For what diseases is it used?
Medicine is the main area of application of papain. The enzyme can be prescribed for the treatment of the following diseases:
- pancreatitis, ulcer, flatulence, constipation;
- of cardio-vascular system;
- bronchitis, pneumonia, acute respiratory viral infections, acute respiratory infections.
- diseases of the genitourinary system: cystitis, prostatitis, adhesions.
Papain is used in the treatment of hernia. The enzyme has a beneficial effect on connective tissue, relieves pain and reduces inflammation.
The enzyme is added to toothpaste and even to cream after hair removal.
Papain: where is it?
The compound is found in large quantities in the exotic papaya fruit, which grows in Hawaii and on the Indian Sea coast. The second place in quantity is occupied by: mango, pineapple, banana and kiwi.
But in order to get the required amount of papain from fruits, you will have to eat at least a kilogram a day, and this is not very healthy, to put it mildly.
To ensure that the consumption is beneficial and the doses are easy to control, use dietary supplements, such as Toxic Free!
What results does the treatment give?
Karipazim is a herbal preparation that accelerates the restoration of dead cells and thins the blood.
The drug is used for intervertebral hernia and gives the following results:
- The cartilage and hernia become softer and more pliable.
- The pain syndrome goes away.
- Pinched nerves are released.
- Accelerated regeneration of damaged tissue occurs.
When treating a hernia, do not neglect gymnastics, swimming and the use of other medications.
Papain: Health Benefits
Good evidence of effectiveness
Improved digestion
The enzyme papain improves digestion by breaking down proteins into amino acids, which helps the body absorb nutrients. Therefore, it can improve symptoms in people with various digestive disorders. (, , , , )
Celiac disease
Papain breaks down gliadin peptides , which is part of gluten. Therefore, this enzyme could potentially help people with celiac disease. In a recent study of just 3 people with celiac disease, papain supplements improved nutrient absorption and reduced loose and loose stools. (, , )
Indigestion and heartburn
In a clinical study of 200 people with indigestion, papain reduced inflammation in the stomach. Compared with placebo, it improved symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea, heartburn, belching and bloating. ()
Irritable bowel syndrome
In two clinical studies involving a total of more than 150 people with either predominant irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) or chronic stomach inflammation (gastritis), papain improved symptoms such as constipation, bloating, painful bowel movements, flatulence and abdominal pain, while reducing overall inflammation. (, )
Papaya enzyme is also capable of blocking the growth of harmful intestinal bacteria that cause irritable bowel syndrome and other stomach and intestinal disorders. (, )
Stomach ulcer
Papain in animal experiments reduced gastric acidity and the size of ulcers in rats with gastric ulcers. (, )
Overall, evidence suggests that papain may help with digestive problems such as indigestion, IBS, and stomach inflammation. You should discuss with your doctor whether taking papain as a supplement to your treatment regimen may help. It is important to note that you should never use papain as a substitute for what your doctor recommends or prescribes.
Some enzymes that help digestion
Papain helps heal wounds
In multiple clinical studies totaling more than 350 people and 30 children, papain applied to the skin accelerated the healing of skin ulcers or burns . This reduced the size of the wound, helped remove damaged skin tissue, speeded wound closure and shortened hospital stays. Papain worked better than collagenase, hydrogen peroxide patch, or placebo. (, , , , , )
In animal and cellular studies, papain, when applied topically, removed dead cells and tissue, stimulated wound healing, and reduced scarring and inflammation. In addition, it helped form new tissues and also inhibited the development of bacterial infections. (, , , , , , , )
Papain helps with inflammation and oxidative stress
In 3 clinical studies involving more than 250 people, papaya enzyme reduced intestinal and stomach inflammation and improved symptoms such as nausea, stomach pain and constipation. (, , 19)
Combining papain with other enzymes (bromelain, trypsin and chymotrypsin) reduced high levels of the TGF-beta protein, thereby reducing inflammation in 130 people. ()
In rats, papain reduced inflammation as well as indomethacin (NSAID). (, )
Moreover, the papaya enzyme enhances regulatory T cells , which reduce inflammation and normalize the immune response. Papain also reduced the production of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-8, IL-6) in human cells. ()
Papain has shown the following beneficial properties in animal and cell studies:
- Reduces oxidative stress similar to vitamin E and vitamin C
- Increased content of antioxidant enzymes (glutathione, SOD, CAT) (, , )
Various substances, including anti-inflammatory ones, found in papaya fruits. (source)
Little evidence of benefit to humans
Oral health
In a clinical study of 52 patients with braces and gum disease, toothpaste with papain, bromelain, miswak and neem inhibited plaque formation and tooth decay better than standard toothpaste. Papaya enzyme gel helped clean dental cavities, reduced bacteria, and reduced pain in 7 clinical studies involving a total of 159 children. (,, , , , , , )
In the laboratory, papaya enzyme gel suppressed dental caries without affecting the bone structure of the teeth. It also prevented the growth of plaque-causing bacteria and the formation of their biofilms. (, , , , , )
Although the results of these studies are promising (especially regarding the effect of papain on caries treatment), only a few small clinical studies have been conducted. Additional studies in larger human populations are needed to confirm these preliminary findings.
Infections
In 3 clinical studies involving more than 400 people with dengue fever, papaya leaf extract increased platelet and reduced hospital stay compared to placebo. However, it is unclear whether this effect was due to papain or other compounds in the plant's leaves. (, )
In a 3-year study of 62 women with vaginal yeast infections (candidiasis), a supplement with papain, bromelain, and rutin improved symptoms and reduced the number of recurrences of the infection . ()
In animal and cell studies, papain broke down biofilms, a sticky mass of bacteria that resists antibiotic treatments. The papaya enzyme also blocked the growth of the following bacteria , fungi and parasites: (, , , )
- Bacteria that cause respiratory, intestinal, gastric and genitourinary infections, as well as inflammatory bowel diseases (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Shigella)
- Candida
- Schistosoma mansoni, the parasite that causes intestinal schistosomiasis.
Reduced pain and muscle soreness
In a clinical study of 80 patients undergoing surgery, a supplement with papain, bromelain, and rutin reduced pain faster than placebo. It has also reduced people's need for painkillers. ()
In another study of 30 healthy people, a multi-enzyme supplement including papain reduced muscle pain and soreness after intense exercise slightly better than a placebo. Additionally, taking the supplement prevented muscle damage and improved recovery after exercise. (, )
Two clinical trials of papain in combination with other enzymes and compounds cannot be considered sufficient evidence that papain helps with muscle pain and soreness. Further clinical studies using papain alone are needed.
Symptoms of Autism
Digestive enzymes may improve symptoms in some children with autism. Papain and pepsin improved emotional reactivity , general behavior, and gut symptoms in a clinical study of more than 100 children with autism. ()
Shingles (Herpes zoster)
In a clinical study of 192 patients with shingles, digestive enzymes, including papain , relieved pain and skin damage as effectively as the antiviral drug Acyclovir. However, it is difficult to say how much papain, rather than other digestive enzymes used in therapy, contributed to this effect. ()
A 2021 study confirmed this effect of papain against shingles, showing that a papaya enzyme is able to suppress the inflammatory protein TGF-b1 , which can worsen a Herpes zoster outbreak. ()
A sore throat
In a clinical study of 100 people with a sore throat and/or tonsillitis, papaya enzyme lozenges reduced swelling , mucus , cough , redness and pain better than a placebo. But these lozenges also contained lysozyme and bacitracin, which can kill bacteria, so papain's contribution to the observed effects is difficult to assess. ()
Cancer treatment
In a clinical study of 120 patients with advanced cervical cancer , papaya enzyme, along with trypsin and chymotrypsin, reduced the side effects of radiation therapy (vaginal, genital, urinary and intestinal problems). ()
In animal and cellular studies, papain blocked the growth , spread and survival of various cancer cells (liver, colon, intestine, lung, skin). (, , , )
Some Foods That May Help Reduce Overall Inflammation in the Body
