About: Preeti Desai

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are ubiquitously used across the United States to fight inflammation, pain and fever. According to a review in The American Journal of Managed Care, $4.8 billion is spent on prescription NSAIDs alone, with approximately 35% of people 65 years or older taking a dose every day (1). With more than 20 over the counter options, and 70 million prescriptions written every year, the average consumer doesn’t think twice before taking a dose of NSAIDs. Although NSAIDs are relatively diverse in terms of chemical structure and properties, they all have the same mechanism of action, inhibiting the function of proteins that typically promote inflammation. At a high level, this seems straightforward. When looking deeper, one of the inflammation promoting proteins targeted by NSAIDs also functions in protecting the stomach from its own acid. When NSAIDs (such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen) are used for extended periods of time, ulcers and internal bleeding can occur. Additionally, the FDA recently strengthened their warning concerning NSAIDs and heart health, saying that non-aspirin NSAIDs can increase the risk of heart attacks or strokes (2).

With the accumulating warnings concerning the harmful side effects of NSAIDs, many medical professionals and consumers are looking for natural alternatives to the synthetic drugs they are accustomed to. One such alternative that is currently being explored by medical professionals is Innerzyme Pain & Inflammation Blend, a comprehensive blend of proteolytic enzymes, herbs and bioflavonoids. It is a full spectrum systemic enzyme specially formulated with bromelain, turmeric, pancreatin, papain, trypsin, chymotrypsin, white willow bark and rutin. Bromelain is a natural enzyme found in pineapples that have been used for hundreds of years to combat inflammation and indigestion. A 2015 report in the International Journal for Surgery found that in rats, bromelain applied to rats significantly reduced inflammation levels in an abdominal surgery model (3). Even more encouraging was the finding that there were no adverse effects on the animals.

Turmeric is a natural compound that is receiving much attention in the inflammation field. While turmeric (curcumin) has long been used as a spice, it’s becoming clear that it has many more roles in human health, other than making our food tasty. Scientists are beginning to decipher the many positive effects seen with turmeric supplementation such as reduced pain and inflammation (ongoing human clinical trials), as well as potential anti-cancer activity in certain animal models. With the ongoing health and safety concerns surrounding the long-term use of NSAIDs, there is now much excitement amongst medical professionals who are having great success administering Innerzyme as a safe, natural and effective alternative for patients. The founder of The Hammer Institute for Anti-Aging Medicine, Eli Hammer, MD says, “I have used systemic enzymes extensively in my practice along with taking them personally for a few years, seeing dramatic reductions in pain and inflammation, and therefore, significant improvements in quality of life. Of all the systemic enzyme brands on the market, I truly believe Innerzyme has finally optimized the proper enzyme blend, while also vastly improving upon the delivery system for better efficacy and ease of administration.”

Many medical professionals are realizing the promising benefits of natural treatment options, as well as preventative care using natural anti-inflammatory products like Innerzyme Pain & Inflammation Blend. Current and future research is expected to further support the use of these natural products as safe and effective alternatives to NSAIDs.

For more information about Innerzyme Pain & Inflammation Blend, click here.

References:

1. Michael Fine, “Quantifying the Impact of NSAID-Associated Adverse Events” Am J Manag Care 19(14):267-72 (2013).
2. “FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA strengthens warning that non-aspirin nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can cause heart attacks or strokes” U.S. Food and Drug Administration (7-9-2015).
3. Sahbaz et. al., “Bromelain: A natural proteolytic for intra-abdominal adhesion prevention” Int J Surg 14:7-11 (2015).

One of the most significant things you can do when attempting to conceive or while pregnant is to make sure to be fueling yourself, and your unborn child, with a nutritious diet. Pregnancy is taxing on the body and it is often hard or near impossible to obtain all the recommended nutrients without vitamin supplementation. Making smart choices concerning what you eat and the supplements you take will promote healthy development and growth of your baby says Certified Nutrition Specialist and Innerzyme founder, Katie Jodscheidt. One vitamin that is gaining more and more interest is vitamin K2, which is found in fermented foods such as natto and certain cheeses, eggs, meat, butter and other dairy foods¹ from grass-fed sources. However, just because a food is fermented does not necessarily mean it is rich in vitamin K2, in fact, many are not.

Many Eastern cultures consume fermented soybeans or natto on a daily basis, however, the slimy and smelly taste and texture of it is often too unpleasant for the Western palate. As far as other foods containing vitamin K2, getting an adequate amount is not as easy as one may think since many foods are lacking this essential nutrient because they are processed, genetically modified and no longer sourced from grass-fed animals. An easier and more convenient way of getting an adequate amount of vitamin K2 is through daily supplementation. However, not all vitamin K2 supplements are created equal. When choosing a vitamin K2 supplement, quality, dosage and type of vitamin K2 is important. The optimal quality of vitamin K2 is in the natural form of MK-7 because it has a longer half-life, meaning it stays in your system longer and the body better absorbs it. In healthy individuals, research has not reported any side effects, adverse reactions or known toxicity as a result of large doses of vitamin K2. In fact, many Eastern cultures consume 300-600mcg of natto daily. Inside the human body vitamin K2 is involved in many processes that are critical for a healthy pregnancy and baby, such as blood coagulation, bone metabolism and other calcium dependent events.

Research into the health benefits of vitamin K2 is still in its infancy with more and more work being done. Two recent peer reviewed studies provide encouraging results concerning the role of vitamin K2 in embryonic development. In August 2014, a cohort of Japanese researchers discovered that an enzyme called UBIAD1, which is involved in vitamin K2 synthesis, is required for development of mouse embryos². When the scientists deleted both copies of the gene coding for UBIAD1 mice embryos died in less than 8 days after ceasing to grow, and as expected, produced no vitamin K2. Strikingly, when the mothers of these mutant mice were administered vitamin K2, the embryos lifespan was extended to term. Not long after this report was published, Canadian researchers found that vitamin K2 supplementation significantly improved embryo production in cows³. This finding is most likely due to the role of vitamin K2 in mitochondria function, which converts sugars into energy for the cells to use. Together, these reports add to the increasing knowledge researchers at Innerzyme are gaining concerning the health benefits of vitamin K2 and warrant further research.

References:

1. Elder S. et al. Vitamin K contents of meat, dairy, and fast food in the U.S. diet.  Agric. Food Chem.2006, 54(463−467) (source)
2. Nakagawa K. et al. Vitamin K2 biosynthetic enzyme, UBIAD1 is essential for embryonic development of mice.PLoS One 2014, 9(8): e104078 (source)
3. Baldoceda-Baldeon et al. Improvement of bovine in vitro embryo production by vitamin K₂Reproduction 2014, 148(5) 489-97 (source)

Recommended dosage: Take 1 vegetarian capsule (300mcg) per day, or as directed by your healthcare practitioner.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

As more and more information is coming out about the health benefits of Vitamin K2, it is important to not get confused about the K vitamins. Most people are familiar with Vitamin K1, which is found in leafy greens and helps with blood coagulation support. People taking prescription blood thinners are often told to stay away from diets rich in leafy greens (vitamin k1) and also do not take a vitamin k supplement because it can possibly thin your blood too much.

But what about Vitamin K2? Vitamin K2 is very different from Vitamin K1. Vitamin K2 in an adequate dose is very difficult to get from your diet, however, fermented soybeans or “natto” is one of the richest sources of this vitamin. An easier and more convenient way of getting Vitamin K2 is through supplementation. Much different than the role of Vitamin K1, Vitamin K2 is responsible for channeling calcium into your bones and teeth while keeping it out of the arteries. Think of Vitamin K2 as the traffic cop for calcium.

To clarify one more important fact without complicating things too much is to explain the two different types of Vitamin K2, MK-4 and MK-7. Vitamin K2, MK-4 is the synthetic form of K2, it is often cheaper in price, however, it has a shorter half-life meaning it stays in the system for only a few hours. Usually, someone taking Vitamin K2, MK-4 will have to take one capsule up to three times a day to ensure it stays in the system.

The other form of K2 is MK-7 which is considered the optimal form of Vitamin K2. MK-7 is the natural form of K2, which is going to be a little more expensive since it is naturally sourced from nature (fermented soybeans), however, it has a longer half life meaning it stays in your system for up to 2-3 days and has better absorption. Supplementing with a natural, MK-7 form of Vitamin K2 allows you to get an adequate dose in just one single capsule per day.

So when looking for a Vitamin K2 supplement, do your research and make sure you select a Non-GMO, allergen-free, natural Vitamin K2, MK-7 supplement. Recommended dose is 300mcg (1 capsule) per day, or as directed by your healthcare practitioner. Innerzyme Vitamin K2, MK-7, 300mcg offers the highest potency, natural K2 on the market in a convenient one a day vegetarian capsule. Research shows daily supplementation with Vitamin K2 in the natural form of MK-7 supports cardiovascular, bone and soft tissue health.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.