Carnosine occurs naturally in the body’s muscle and nervous tissues and is formed by the amino acids alanine and histidine. It is found in relatively high amounts in several body tissues in skeletal muscle, heart muscle, and brain. In recent years Russian researcher have been researching an analogue of the di-peptide carnosine called NAC (n-acetylcarnosine) which they claim to be effective in the therapy of cataract.

N-acetylcarnosine and Cataracts

L-carnosine  protects proteins in the eye from harm caused by MDA (malondialdehyde) and stops malondialdehyde from inducing cross-linking. Carnosine is efficacious at treating senile cataracts, and at slowing down cataract development. The glycation process can change lens proteins and significantly contribute to diabetic cataract formation and retinopathy. New researches suggests that the most substantial action of carnosine is its anti-glycation impact. Glycation can be called as the binding of a protein molecule to a glucose molecule resulting in the formation of damaged, nonfunctioning structures. Glycation alters protein structure and reduces biological activity. Glycated proteins, which accumulate in affected tissue. Several  age-related ailments such as cataract, are  partially attributable to glycation.

Carnosine containing eyedrops have showed effectiveness in treating a different of ophthalmic problems, including corneal diseases, increased intraocular pressure, glaucoma and cataracts, and impaired vision from any cause. Explained that researches out of  Italy and Russia has shown that, l-carnosine, may be all that’s needed to dissolve cataracts, improve vision, and prevent redundant surgery. A new treatment for cataracts is NAC (N-acetylcarnosine). NAC has a highly statistical and very important clinical success rate for patients within 3-12 months of therapy. This therapy was improved by opthalmologist Dr. Babizhayev in Moscow. Many of the researches demonstrating the effectiveness of carnosine in preventing or treating cataracts in humans has been done by Dr. Babizhayev. Application of a 1 percent solution of N-acetylcarnosine to the eyes has dissolved cataracts. This works by preventing and reversing cross linking of the lens proteins that produces opacification and impaired vision. In 6 months, 90 percent of participants had developed vision. In 1994, scientists from the “Moscow Helmholtz Research Institute of  Eye Diseases” linked the antioxidant effects of this compound to the possible for prevention or partially reversing cataract development.

A canine study using 1.0% NAC in its patented formulation used 30 dogs in the treatment group, 15 dogs in placebo-controlled group, and 10 dogs without therapy. After six months of therapy, 96% of eyes in the treatment group demonstrated healing in the slit image and retroillumination photographs. In 2009 a trial of 75 patients with cataracts and 72 without, 1.0% NAC was instilled daily for nine months. In both groups visual acuity and reduction in glare sensitivity reached statistical significance at nine months. Researchers in China explained that carnosine-containing eyedrops used to treat 96 cataract patients over 60 years of age resulted in 100 % healing in primary senile cataract, and 80 % in those with mature senile cataract. A Russian trial was designed to document and quantify the changes in lens clarity over a 6 to 24 month period for 49 participants. Participants average age was 65 and all suffered from senile cataract of a minimal to advanced opacification. The subjects received either a 1% solution of NAC eye-drops or a placebo, as 2-drops twice a day into each eye. At six months, 88 % of all eyes treated with NAC had an amelioration of glare sensitivity. 41 % of all eyes treated with NAC had a important amelioration of the transmissivity of the lens, and 90% of the eyes treated with NAC demonstrated an healing in visual acuity.

Serrapeptase is a protein enzyme isolated from the non-pathogenic enterobacteria Serratia E15 found in silkworms. Once the silkworm has completed its transformation into a moth, it uses this substance to “melt” a hole in its cocoon, thus that it can escape. This enzyme is absorbed through the intestines and transported directly into the bloodstream.

Serrapeptase Benefits and Medical Researches

Serrapeptase enzyme, particularly in Asia and Europe it is clinically used for anti-inflammatory problems such as arthritis, atherosclerosis, fibrocystic breast disease and carpal tunnel syndrome.

Serratiopeptidase is able to dissolve the fibrin and other dead or damaged tissue without harming living tissue. This could enable the dissolution of atherosclerotic plaques without causing any harm to the inside of the arteries. Hans Nieper, German doctor, has reported important improvements from serrapeptase therapy in the circulation of a number of patients with previously compressed arteries. Especially, advises the use of this enzyme to treat blocked carotid arteries when classic surgery is too risky. Because the enzyme digests non-living tissue and leaves live tissue alone, it may be efficacious in removing the deposits of fatty substances, cellular waste products, cholesterol, calcium and fibrin on the inside of the arteries. The fibrinolytic activity of serrapeptase may also be able to help with thickened blood, increased risk of stroke, and phlebitis.

In his researches, Dr. Nieper proved that serratiopeptidase was capability of dissolving and digesting the substances that cause plaque formation on the arterial walls, such as cholesterol, calcium, cellular wastes, various fats, and fibrin, a clotting agent. Excessive plaque results in partial or complete blockage of blood flow through an artery, resulting in arteriosclerosis  which could cause a heart attack or stroke. Dr. Nieper explained that serratiopeptidase digests non-living tissue, blood clots, cysts, arterial plaque and inflammation in all forms. It protects against strokes and has been found to be more effectual and fast than EDTA chelation therapies in removing arterial plaque. Serrapeptase acts to safely and effectively reverse chronic inflammation. In recent years, a growing number of sresearchers have come to realize that one of the primary causes for the deposits of deleterious, plaque-forming substances inside arterial walls is chronic, low-grade inflammation.

Serratiopeptidase is a strong therapy for pain and inflammation. Various researches confirm its anti-inflammatory effects, and it has been used for this reason in the reduction of chronic sinusitis and other chronic or acute inflammatory conditions. Serratiopeptidase anti-inflammatory effects are similar to those of the ibuprofen, salicylates and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories. Unlike NSAID pain drugs, serrapeptase does not cause risky internal bleeding nor is it addictive like other pain drugs. In a study 2008; compared serrapeptase and its anti-inflammatory effect with aspirin and two human pancreatic proteolytic enzymes (chymotrypsin and trypsin). Though all groups were effective at reducing inflammation, serrapeptase  was the most effective.

In various studies serratiopeptidase has significantly reduced the elasticity and viscosity of nasal mucus offering great help to people with chronic sinus problems. Serrapeptase reduces the thickness and viscosity of the mucus and improves the elimination of it through bronchopulmonary secretions. Patients treated with serrapeptase for sinusitis and laryngitis experienced a significant decreased in severity of pain, rapid improvement of symptoms after 3-4 days, as well as decreased in nasal stuffiness, infected secretions, and fever. In a study conducted in Italy, gave serratiopeptidase to 193 participants suffering from acute or chronic ear, nose or throat problems over a period of 3 to 4 days. The scientists rated therapy as excellent or good for 97% of participants taking serratiopeptidase compared with just 21% in the placebo group. A study in Japan investigated the efficacy of serratiopeptidase on sputum properties and symptoms in individuals with chronic airway diseases. After four weeks of serratiopeptidase therapy, sputum output, viscosity and sputum neutrophil count decreased significantly. A study reported in the March 2008 edition of  Journal of  Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery demonstrated that Serratiopeptidase supplement reduced pain and inflammation following dental surgery.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is an inflammatory disease of the hand and wrist that is characterized by intense, longlasting pain, inflammation and disability. CTS is usually the result of a combination of factors that increase pressure on the median nerve and tendons in the carpal tunnel, rather than a problem with the nerve itself. Symptoms mostly start gradually, with frequent burning, tingling, or itching numbness in the palm of the hand and the fingers, particularly the thumb and the index and middle fingers. Scientists in India conducted a study to assess the response of serratiopeptidase in people with carpal tunnel syndrome. 20 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome were evaluated clinically after six weeks taking serratiopeptidase. 65 % demonstrated significant clinical development, which was supported by improvement in electrophysiological parameters. While surgery had been considered the first  therapy,  new researches  reveal that the use of serratiopeptidase in conjunction with bromelain and Vitamins B2 and B6 is also useful.

Serratiopeptidase has proven invaluable in accelerating the healing process for leg ulcers, torn ligaments, sprained muscles, and other traumatic injuries, edema as well as post-operative inflammation. A study was conducted on the effect of serratiopeptidase on post-operative pain of the ankle and swelling. In the serratiopeptidase group, the swelling decreased by 50 percent on the third post-operative day, while in the control groups no reduction in swelling occurred. Another double-blind study, reported in the “Pharmatherapeutica“, found that serratiopeptidase reduced swelling in patients who underwent surgery to treat empyema. A cyst or a benign fibrocystic lump that moves freely within the breast tissue characterizes fibrocystic breast disease, a condition that affects millions of women. In a double-blind study, serratiopeptidase was found to decrease breast pain, breast swelling and induration in 85.7 percent of the patients taking the supplement. Experts concluded that serratiopeptidase is a influential and safe remedy for the therapy of breast engorgement.

Serrapeptase Dosage

The enzyme activity is measured in units and are based on the ratio of 10 mg of serratiopeptidase equaling 20,000 units of activity. According to Dr. Nieper, just 3 three 5 mg tablets of serrapeptase daily for twelve to eighteen months are sufficient to remove fibrous blockages from constricted coronary arteries, as confirmed in many of his patients by ultrasound examination. For pain, start with 10 mg daily and work up to 20 mg if necessary. Serrapeptase capsules and tablets  are enteric coated and are taken on an empty stomach to ensure that they are activated in the small intestine, rather than in the stomach. Non-enteric coated capsules or tablets  are rapidly destroyed by the stomach acid.