Q: What is serrapeptase and where does it come from?
A: Serrapeptase (also called serratiopeptidase) is a proteolytic enzyme originally isolated from the Serratia marcescens bacteria found in the digestive tract of the Japanese silkworm (Bombyx mori). The silkworm uses this enzyme to dissolve its cocoon when emerging. Serrapeptase is a serine protease, a class of proteolytic enzymes that break down proteins by cleaving peptide bonds. It has been used as a proteolytic enzyme supplement in Europe and Asia for decades and is one of the most studied systemic proteolytic enzymes available in supplement form. Commercial serrapeptase is produced through fermentation rather than from silkworms.
Q: What is the Health Canada approved use for this product?
A: This product is approved by Health Canada (NPN 80049975) as a proteolytic enzyme. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Q: Why is enteric coating essential for serrapeptase?
A: Serrapeptase is a protein-based enzyme that is highly sensitive to the acidic environment of the stomach. Stomach acid (pH 1.5 to 3.5) denatures and inactivates the enzyme before it can reach the intestine, rendering a non-enteric-coated supplement largely ineffective. Enteric coating is a protective layer applied to the capsule that resists dissolution in the acidic stomach but dissolves in the more neutral pH of the small intestine (pH 6 to 7), allowing the enzyme to pass through the stomach intact and be released in the intestine where it remains enzymatically active. Enteric coating is not optional for serrapeptase it is a formulation requirement for the enzyme to function.
Q: What type of enteric coating does this product use?
A: This formula uses ethyl cellulose as the enteric coating material. Ethyl cellulose is a plant-derived polymer that provides reliable pH-dependent protection, ensuring the enzyme is released in the intestine rather than the stomach. It is 100% vegan and free from phthalates, unlike some enteric coatings that use animal-derived shellac or synthetic phthalate-based polymers. The vegan ethyl cellulose coating makes this formula suitable for vegans and vegetarians without compromising enteric protection.
Q: What does SU mean and why does it matter?
A: SU stands for Serrapeptidase Units, the standardized activity measurement for serrapeptase. SU measures the enzyme's proteolytic activity under standardized laboratory conditions. Like all enzyme supplements, the relevant measure of potency is enzyme activity (SU), not just weight (mg). Two serrapeptase products with the same milligram weight can have very different SU values depending on enzyme quality and concentration. This formula provides 120,000 SU per capsule from 60mg of serrapeptase, placing it at the high-potency end of commonly available serrapeptase supplements, which range from 40,000 SU to 120,000 SU per capsule.
Q: What is the difference between serrapeptase and a digestive enzyme like bromelain?
A: Serrapeptase and bromelain are both proteolytic enzymes, but they differ in how they work in the body. Bromelain and other digestive enzymes primarily act in the digestive tract to break down dietary protein from food. Serrapeptase is a systemic proteolytic enzyme — it is absorbed intact from the intestine into the bloodstream and acts systemically throughout the body, exerting its proteolytic activity on proteins in tissues and fluids rather than on dietary protein in the gut. This systemic action is why enteric coating and empty-stomach dosing are important for serrapeptase, and why it is used differently from standard digestive enzymes.
Q: What are the fibrinolytic and mucolytic properties of serrapeptase?
A: Serrapeptase has two well-studied properties beyond general proteolytic activity. Fibrinolytic properties refer to the enzyme's ability to break down fibrin, a protein involved in blood clotting and scar tissue formation. Fibrin is a structural protein that forms the mesh of blood clots and contributes to scar tissue. Mucolytic properties refer to the enzyme's ability to break down mucus proteins, reducing the viscosity of mucus secretions. This mucolytic property has been studied in the context of respiratory and sinus health. Both properties are a result of serrapeptase's broad proteolytic activity on different protein substrates.
Q: How should I take serrapeptase for best results?
A: Serrapeptase is typically taken on an empty stomach, at least 30 minutes before meals or 2 hours after meals. Taking it with food may reduce its systemic absorption, as the enzyme may be directed toward digesting dietary protein in the gut rather than being absorbed systemically. Do not crush, chew, or open the capsule under any circumstances, as this destroys the enteric coating and exposes the enzyme to stomach acid, inactivating it before it can reach the intestine. Swallow the capsule whole with water. Consult your healthcare provider for personalized dosage and timing guidance.
Q: Can I take serrapeptase with other medications or supplements?
A: Consult a healthcare professional before combining serrapeptase with other medications or supplements. Serrapeptase has fibrinolytic properties and may enhance the effect of anticoagulant medications such as warfarin, aspirin, and other blood thinners, potentially increasing bleeding risk. It may also interact with other proteolytic enzyme supplements. Do not use before or after surgery without healthcare practitioner guidance due to its potential effects on fibrin and blood clotting.
Q: Is this product suitable for vegans and vegetarians?
A: Yes, this serrapeptase supplement is 100% vegan and suitable for both vegans and vegetarians. The serrapeptase enzyme is produced through microbial fermentation, not from silkworms. The capsule shell is made from hypromellose (vegetable cellulose). The enteric coating is ethyl cellulose, a plant-derived polymer. All non-medicinal ingredients (brown rice flour, hypromellose, ethyl cellulose) are plant-derived. The product is also non-GMO and free from gluten, dairy, and soy.
Q: How should serrapeptase be stored to preserve enzyme activity?
A: Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Keep the bottle tightly sealed. Enzymes are proteins that can be denatured by heat and moisture. Proper storage in a cool, dry environment preserves both the enzyme activity and the integrity of the enteric coating throughout the product's shelf life. Do not store in a bathroom or near a heat source.
Q: Why is this product Health Canada approved?
A: This product holds NPN 80049975 from Health Canada, meaning it has been reviewed and approved for safety, efficacy, and quality as a natural health product. The NPN designation confirms that the approved use (proteolytic enzyme) is backed by evidence reviewed by Health Canada, and that the product meets Canadian regulatory standards for ingredient quality, dosage, and labelling. This regulatory approval provides additional confidence when choosing a serrapeptase supplement.
