Biomedical Intervention-Enzymes

[3xmommo]

Hello Everyone! Have any of you tried to use the enzyme supplements to break down the biofilm surrounding the strep and expose it so that you can rid the body of it? The enzymes I have read about are Nattokinase, Serrapeptase, and Lumbrokinase. They are used to really help the antibiotics to get to the infections they cannot reach on their own, and prevent recurrent infections. I would love to hear back if any of you have tried these as a way to really get deep into the body to root out and expose the strep, so that it does not return. Thanks!

[JJMom39]

I asked my naturopath, who has consulted on some issues re: my PANDAS ds, about biofilms, and she recommended we try a product she uses for patients who have chronic bacterial gut infections. It is a Klaire Labs product called Interfase Plus. It contains about 9 different enzymes, but only one of them is one that you mentioned. My ds has been taking this supplement for about 4 months. He takes so many supplements that it is not always possible for me to isolate what helps and what does not. It has not made him worse in any way so we continue to use it since I feel it is contributing in some way to his improvements, but again, he takes many different things, including abx. The other thing she suggested we try for biofilms is an Ortho Molecular product called Intestin-ol. It contains thyme, clove and oregano oil, which she also uses for biofilms in chronic gut infections. My ds could not tolerate this product. The oils were too heavy for his taste and they caused him to spit up a tiny bit. This is not uncommon and perhaps could have been helped by taking the supplement with milk, but he would not even consider it. We use oregano oil on its own instead because he can tolerate that. I would not use either the enzymes or the oils without the help of a professional. There are always considerations for other supplements that are being taken and how they all interact together and if you need to take something with food or away from food, etc. And with the oils it is preferable to rotate them in and out so that the bacteria do not build up resistance.

[3xmommo]

Thank you so much for replying! I am in Southern California, and I will need to find someone to guide us. Abx have really helped us, but I do not want to be on them long term. Especially if is there is a good chance that they are not getting everything, and that there could be residual biofilm contained strep in my boys' systems.

Edited September 18, 2011 by 949mommo

[MomWithOCDSon]

We tried enzymes for a short time but found out the hard way that they can interfere with time-released medications. Our DS takes Augmentin XR, for example, and that is not a good mix with enzymes because most contain cellulase, which breaks down cellulose. And cellulose is a common compound used for time-release medications to slow down their breakdown and absorption in the body. So, if your kids are taking Augmentin XR or even a time-released B-complex vitamin, just be aware of the interaction between those and many enzyme supplements.

[Christianmom]

We tried enzymes for a short time but found out the hard way that they can interfere with time-released medications. Our DS takes Augmentin XR, for example, and that is not a good mix with enzymes because most contain cellulase, which breaks down cellulose. And cellulose is a common compound used for time-release medications to slow down their breakdown and absorption in the body. So, if your kids are taking Augmentin XR or even a time-released B-complex vitamin, just be aware of the interaction between those and many enzyme supplements.

Wow, thanks for the information. I was giving my son enzymes with each meal and just saw that they do contain cellulase. My son is on augmentin XR, so I will stop giving him the enzymes. How did you ever figure out this connection?

[MomWithOCDSon]

Wow, thanks for the information. I was giving my son enzymes with each meal and just saw that they do contain cellulase. My son is on augmentin XR, so I will stop giving him the enzymes. How did you ever figure out this connection?

 

My son was on XR, also, and he had been complaining of tummy trouble (looking back, I realize it was more than likely an obsession manifestation, rather than a genuine complaint), so we decided to try some enzymes. About a week after we started the enzymes, his behaviors started ramping up again, and like we all do, I was trying to figure out what was behind it.

 

I think someone here first mentioned a possible interaction with enzymes (many moons ago), and then I did some research; found the following warnings on a number of web sites:

 

There is one caution with time-released medications and the specific enzyme cellulase. Some time-released medicines or supplements use cellulose to slow down the digestion and release of the product. Not all do. Cellulose is virtually indigestible in humans since people do not produce that enzyme internally natually. If you take an enzyme product with cellulase (the enzyme that breaks down cellulose), the cellulase may break down the cellulose in the medication and mess up the time-release design.

 

If you are taking a time-released medication and want to use enzymes, please consult with your doctor or pharmacist. If they feel it is a concern, you could see if there was another time-release formulation for that medication, or use an enzyme product without the particular enzyme cellulase.

 

This forum is a veritable Encyclopedia of info! Thank goodness!