Compare
Peptizyme-SP vs. Serrétia**
Brand
|
World’s Strongest Serrapeptase
|
Acid Armor®**
(extra-thick
cellulose layer)
|
Considered Enteric Coating?
|
SPU
Per two Capsules
|
Price per bottle
|
Serrétia
(Arthur Andrew)
|
No
|
Yes
|
No
|
250,000
|
$55.99 for
90 capsules
|
Serrapeptase (AST Enzymes)
|
Yes
|
—
|
Yes
|
260,000
|
$59.98 for
120 capsules
|
Enteric Coating Comparison
|
Methacrylic Acid Copolymer
(MAAC)*
|
Cellulose Acetate Phthalate (CAP)
|
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Phthalate (HPMCP)
|
Acid Armor®
(extra-thick cellulose layer)**
|
Contains Phthalates
|
NO
|
YES
|
YES
|
NO
|
Considered Enteric Coating
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
NO
|
Studies supporting Efficacy as Enteric Coating
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
NO
|
Gastro-resistance
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
UNKNOWN
|
FDA GRAS
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
Time in Use
|
>50 years
|
>70 years
|
~40 years
|
~1 year
|
*AST Enzymes uses MAAC as enteric coating
What is enteric coating, and why is it needed?
Enteric coating is a layer of protective coating for dietary supplements that is meant to allow the supplement to bypass digestion by the stomach and be absorbed in the small intestine. Systemic enzymes are proteins, so their functional structures are denatured (or destroyed) in conditions of extreme pH and temperature. Without enteric coating, enzymes would be rendered useless long before they reach the bloodstream, where their carry out their beneficial effects.
What’s enteric coating made of?
At AST Enzymes, we use Methacrylic Acid Copolymer (MAAC) for our enteric coating. Methacrylic Acid Copolymer (MAAC) is not a phthalate. According to independent studies, MAAC is the most gastro-resistant when compared to other commonly used enteric coating agents such as Cellulose Acetate Phthalate (CAP) and Hydroxypropyl Methycellulose Phthalate (HPMCP). This means that MAAC can most effectively withstand the acidity of the stomach, allowing its contents to be released in the small intestine and absorbed successfully.
MAAC is a food-grade compound that has been in use as enteric coating in the pharmaceutical industry for over 50 years with no reported side effects. In fact, the European Food Safety Authority – an organization that conducted studies which led to the ban of six types of phthalates in personal care products in Europe in 2004 – has deemed MAAC safe for use as coating agent in food supplements.
Not only is MAAC listed as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also conducted various studies and found sufficient information to reasonably conclude that the current use pattern of MAAC will not adversely affect public health or the environment.
Serrapeptase Units: Facts OR Fiction?!
The strength of enzymes is measured by activity (SPU), not quantity (mg).
The enzyme unit (U) is a unit for the amount of a particular enzyme. One U is defined as the amount of the enzyme that produces a certain amount of enzymatic activity, that is, the amount that catalyzes the conversion of 1 micro mole of substrate per minute.2
Enzyme activity is equal to the moles of substrate converted per unit of time under standard conditions. An increased amount of substrate will increase the rate of reaction with enzymes; however, once the reaction exceeds a certain point Vmax, the rate of reaction will become linear because the amount of active sites will remain constant.
Figure 1: the above figure illustrates a Michaellis Menten Plot. This shows that an increase in substrate will increase the reaction rate until a certain point is reached (Vmax) then it will level off constant as all of the active sites have remained constant.
Now that we understand how enzymes work on a biochemical level, how do we measure the units of activity specifically for Serrapeptase, and what do they mean?
If you have been researching the wide variety of options for Serrapeptase on the market today you have surely come across an extensive list of units that seem to leave people confused.
A shortlist includes: mg, IU, SU and SPU.
Milligrams (mg): an accurate unit of measurement for weight. However, the weight of an enzyme can contain low activity levels or high activity levels.
A high quality enzyme has low weight and high activity, ensuring purity. The activity level of the enzyme is what is vital to its effectiveness.
International Unit (IU): a unit of measurement for the amount of substance; mass or volume that constitutes one international unit caries based on the substance being measured. IU is used to quantify vitamins, hormones, some medications, vaccines, and blood products. “The enzyme unit should not be confused with the international Unit (IU), and unrelated measure of biologically active substances.”6 Despite its name, IU is not part of the International System of Units physics and chemistry. “The IU should not be confused with the enzyme unit, also known as the International unit of enzyme activity and abbreviated as U.4” Companies that continue to use this unit (IU) to describe the activity of Serrapeptase are incorrect.
Serrapeptase Unit (SU) or (SPU): both are used interchangeably, and are accepted and accurate in industry. However, SU may create some confusion. SU is a unit used in the digestion of Invertase (Sucrase). One SU (Sumner Unit Invertase/Sucrase) is the FCC assay of measurement, whereby one Sumner Unit is the quantity of enzyme that will convert 1 mg of sucrose to glucose and fructose in 5 minutes.
As you can see this can become problematic using the same units for different processes already defined.7 While both SU and SPU are used today in industry, the most accurate unit to describe the activity of Serrapeptase is (SPU).
As a final point in summary, the potency of the enzyme is the most crucial factor in determining how well it will work, and this is measured by activity not by weight. The most accurate unit of measure for Serrapeptase is (SPU), Serrapeptase Units.
Serrapeptase
Don’t be misled by deceiving marketing strategies by other companies claiming to have serrapeptase with 250,000 SPU. They claim they have the strongest Serrapeptase because their product contains 250,000 SPU of serrapeptase per “dosage”—which in most cases is 2 capsules. Therefore, each capsule only has 125,000 SPU.
AST Enzymes is the largest manufacturer of Serrapeptase in the world and happens to carry the strongest Serrapeptase on the market with 130,000 SPU per capsule! Our quality and prices of our products speak for themselves.
Our serrapeptase is enteric coated to survive the acidic conditions of the stomach without being degraded. This allows for optimum absorption in the small intestine and greater systemic activity. The pH resistant enteric coating disintegrates after it enters the alkaline environment of the intestine.
Most serrapeptase brands on the market are not enteric coated, which means this low-pH sensitive enzyme can lose activity, and thus effectiveness, when entering the stomach. The enteric coating in Serrapeptase allows the enzymes to survive the acidic conditions of the stomach, which increases absorption in the small intestine, systemic activity and efficacy.
References:
1) Nomenclature Committee of the International Union of Biochemistry (NC-IUB) (1979). “Units of Enzyme Activity”. Eur. J. Biochem. 97 (2): 319–20. doi:10.1111/j.1432-1033.1979.tb13116.x.
2) Principles of Biochemistry, page 94, 4th Edition, Lehninger.
3) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enzyme_unit
4) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_unit
5) Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists (Dec 1992). “Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists position paper: standardization of selected polypeptide hormone measurements.”. Clin Biochem. 25 (6): 415–24. doi:10.1016/0009-9120(92)90030-V. PMID 1477965.
6) Facts about the Official “Do Not Use” List”(PDF). The Joint Commission. Archived from the original(PDF)on March 10, 2013. Retrieved 30 May2013.
7) http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/invertase/
** Serrétia™ and Acid Armor® are registered trademarks of Arthur Andrews Medical Inc., which is not affiliated with, nor sponsors or endorses this product or any other product from Specialty Enzymes & Biotechnologies or AST Enzymes.
Denise Kocourek –
We found your product while searching for something to support lung function for a respiratory problem of unknown origin. My mother used it for about 4 yrs and it did help her struggle. About 6 yrs ago, when I began to experience shortness of breath, I went to this product. So far, have not had to go on O2. Almost no coughing. It has been very supportive of my condition.
Denise Kocourek –
Lina bannister –
I absolutely love this product -it has been a blessing n God send for any sinus n ear issues -I thank god for allowing me to find all of these enzymes -the product n customer service is great-I encourage u to try these for any sinus issues-u won’t be dissapointed-gods blessing to u all
Lina bannister –
Carol T. –
I have been taking Serrapeptase for several years, and I am convinced it is keeping the adhesions away. (My surgeon said I was a prolific grower of scar tissue.) I had colon surgery when I was younger, and eight years later, I was doubled over in pain due to scar tissue strangling my intestines. It is now going on 14 years, and gratefully, I have been adhesion-free. YAY!
Carol T. –
Constance (verified owner) –
You have to try this product! My orthopedic surgeon told me it’s time for a shoulder replacement. Bike accident 20 years ago and the scar tissue was taking over my space. After one week on Serrapeptase my pain was gone. When I finally got into physical therapy they did the range of motion percents and asked me why I was there. ? No follow up appointments needed at either place?
Constance –
Tracey Shabazz (verified owner) –
This product is a consistent product in quality and value. My son was injured and we used is for his healing. Great improvement for his lungs, pain and digestion….
Tracey Shabazz –
Jacqueline Dollack –
My husband’s breathing problems have decreased remarkably since he began using Serrapeptase. We talk about its benefits to anyone who will listen.
Jacqueline Dollack –
Jacqueline Dollack (verified owner) –
My husband uses Serrapeptase every day, and has since the first day he tried it. We feel that is saved his life. He had COPD and now he feels great most days. He recommends it to everyone, and any one who has used it has had success too. It worked so well for a friend with diabetes who hasn’t had one of his regular infections since he started using it two years ago. He swears by it now too, and tells everyone who will listen about it..
Jacqueline Dollack –
Nicole Chamberlain, LMT,NTS –
I started using serrapeptase several years ago at the recommendation from a DOM. After further research, I switched to AST Enzymes because I felt it was a high quality product.
I put AST to the test. I had an old abdominal scar that was deep and pulled on my deeper skin layer. After approximately 4 months, I noticed a significant improvement; less pain, less pulling. I appreciate a lot of the things serrapeptase can do! Great product!
Nicole Chamberlain, LMT,NTS –
Jackie Green –
I started taking Serrapeptase shortly after discectomy surgery, I had been experiencing continued lower back pain and sciatica. Within a month of taking your product, my lower back pain was all but gone and sciatica much improved. I continue to take Serrapeptase which I believe keeps my sciatica under control. Thanks for an excellent product.
Jackie Green –
Constance (verified owner) –
Serrapeptase
This enzyme is amazing! My lab, age 3, pulled a ” Bambi” on the ice last winter. Off and on he would limp for a few days then return to his normal running around. This past summer limping became the normal for him. I took him several times to a dog chiropractor and it would help for a couple of days then back to limping. I thought, a joint is a joint so I started him on your bottle. It has been a little over a week, I give him two capsules in the morning. His getting up is a lot better, no limping after laying down. I still walk him three miles every day and he seems so much better. The limping is miminal and he plays like the pup he is. You can just tell he feels better. Thank you again. Funny you don’t think about it but they have the same interior design as us!
Constance –
John B. (verified owner) –
Great supplement. I have some scar tissue from eye surgery, and it’s helping to heal the adhesions. Highly recommend!
John B. –
Abraham Fox (verified owner) –
I began taking Serrapeptase about 3 years ago after reading the late Dr. Hans Nieper’s writings on the subject. I have found great improvement in my memory and mental acuity since taking this enzyme. I’m near 80 years of age now but highly recommend serrapeptase for people of all ages.
Abraham Fox –
Becky Pratt (verified owner) –
This is a great addition to my health routine. I’ve noticed that I have more energy and recover more quickly after exercise. Also, my joints feel better.
Becky Pratt –
Donna Adams –
This product is great, it has greatly reduced inflammation in my system and I no longer have back pain! I like that it cleans out the ‘gunk’ in our blood. Great company.
Donna Adams –
Alexis Pappas (verified owner) –
I was home bound before I used this product. These enzymes are high quality and I have recommended them to people. I highly recommend these enzymes.
Alexis Pappas –
RONALD HARRIS (verified owner) –
This stuff is life changing for me. It allowed me to breath free. This stuff helped me when many other things did not. I love AST Enzymes Serrapeptase!
R. Harris
RONALD HARRIS –
Sara Lashley (verified owner) –
I have been using your products, both the Serrapeptase and the Serracor-NK for over 6 years and I’ve noticed a clarity in my vision that had been declining for months. Since I haven’t done anything else, I do attribute this clarity to your Serrapeptase!
Sara Lashley –
Nicole Chamberlain –
I have an earlier review, but wanted to add that I also take serrapeptase for COPD. It prevents excess mucus and keeps my airways open. I switched to 130,000 units so I don’t have to take as many capsules.
Nicole Chamberlain –
lhendrex (verified owner) –
My health care provider recommended Serrapeptase for the softening of severe scar tissue – both internal and external. He also recommended this product to dismantle the biofilm that was preventing effective treatment of a chronic, low grade infecting that was associated with the scar tissue. I had scarring and infection for 40 years without any success treating it. After using Serrapeptase for 1 year, I am noticing significant softening of the scar tissue and greater ease of movement. My doctor says that he has never seen my abdomen so soft and pliable, and I believe that this is due to my regular use of Serrapeptase.
lhendrex –
Jerry (verified owner) –
I had three herniated discs in my lower back and three in my neck on two separate occasions. I took more than recommended dosage, three times a day. After about a week, the pain was noticeably less. I lowered the dosage as the pain receded. I now take 240,000 units daily for maintenance, as I stopped taking it after the first incident. I had a cardio test recently and everything’s OK. No plaque in my arteries. Thanks AST!
Jerry –
Tracey Shabazz (verified owner) –
Serrapeptase is a lfe long ritual that my son and I will take for life..Pain is keeped away since we began taking them in 2014 or so…
Tracey Shabazz –
Justin T (verified owner) –
I started using these because my girlfriend said she had more energy when she took them. After taking them for a few days, I actually felt better and calmer.
Justin T –
Heather Mewis (verified owner) –
AST serrapeptase has changed my life. I have a neuroma in my left foot. I could hardly walk at one point. Didn’t want to.do surgery. Finally found serrapeptase and eventually found AST brand which is consistent top quality and reasonable prices and great consumer service. I come again and again and recommend them to everyone.
Heather Mewis –