Health Guide

Peptidohydrolase

Meet Peptidohydrolase, more commonly known in the supplement world as **Protease**. It sounds like a complex chemical, but think of it simply as your body's 'protein cutter.' It is a powerful digestive enzyme responsible for breaking down the long chains of proteins found in your food—like meat, nuts, and legumes—into smaller, usable pieces called amino acids. Without adequate levels of these enzymes, you might experience bloating, gas, and nutrient deficiencies after eating protein-rich meals. Whether taken as a supplement or naturally through raw foods, this ingredient is your first line of defense for comfortable digestion and efficient muscle repair.

Evidence BasedDietary Supplement

VERIFIED SOURCE

Bio-Activity Analysis

Digestive Efficiency: Enzyme Support vs. None

SCIENTIFIC DATA VISUALIZATION

Y-Axis

Protein Breakdown Efficiency (%)

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Health Benefits & Sources

Why You Need It

Reduces Digestive Discomfort: It helps prevent the fermentation of undigested protein in your gut, which causes gas and bloating.
Boosts Nutrient Absorption: By breaking proteins down effectively, your body can absorb the amino acids needed to build muscle and repair tissue.
Supports Immune Health: Proper digestion relieves the burden on your immune system, allowing it to focus on fighting actual threats rather than dealing with gut irritation.

Deep Dive

Proteolytic enzymes like Peptidohydrolase are essential for metabolic efficiency. As we age or experience stress, our natural production of these enzymes drops. Supplementing with them ensures that the expensive protein powder or steak dinner you ate actually gets utilized by your body, rather than sitting in your stomach causing trouble. Unlike stomach acid which breaks things down chemically, these enzymes work like biological scissors to precisely slice proteins apart.

Natural Food Sources

Nature provides these enzymes in raw form. Cooking usually destroys them, which is why raw foods are the best source.

Food	Amount	% DV
Papaya (Raw)	1 cup	High
Pineapple (Raw)	1 cup	High
Kiwi	1 medium	Medium
Mango (Raw)	1 cup	Medium
Raw Honey	1 tbsp	Low

Supplementation

Dosage: Typical digestive enzyme blends contain 50,000–100,000 PU (Protease Units) per dose. Usage: Take 1 capsule immediately before or at the start of a high-protein meal. If you have a very heavy meal, you can take a second capsule halfway through. Do not take on an empty stomach unless specifically directed for systemic enzyme therapy.

Top Food Sources

Papaya

Contains Papain (100-200mg per cup)

Pineapple

Contains Bromelain (High concentration in core)

Kiwi

Contains Actinidin

Raw Honey

Contains Diastase

Fermented Soy (Miso)

Contains natural bacterial enzymes

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Betaine HCl increases stomach acid, while Peptidohydrolase (Protease) is the actual enzyme that cuts protein. You need both to digest meat properly, but they perform different jobs.

Yes, but check the source. Many protease supplements are derived from fungal sources (Aspergillus) rather than animal or pineapple sources. Always check the label.

Not directly. They ensure you absorb nutrients correctly. However, by reducing bloating and inflammation, you may notice a flatter stomach and better metabolic health.

Cooking meat destroys any naturally occurring enzymes and denatures the protein structure. Your body must then rely entirely on its own enzyme production to digest it.

Safety & Side Effects

Peptidohydrolase is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for consumption. However, because it is an active enzyme:

Allergies: Avoid if you are allergic to the source material (e.g., fungal-based protease or pineapple/papaya derivatives).
Blood Thinners: High-dose enzyme supplements can have mild blood-thinning effects. Consult a doctor if you take Warfarin or have a bleeding disorder.
Gastric Ulcers: If you have active ulcers, taking concentrated enzymes may cause irritation; consult a healthcare provider first.
Pregnancy: There is insufficient data on high-dose supplements; stick to food sources or consult your OB-GYN.

Scientific References

[1]Mittelman, L. (2019). *The Role of Proteolytic Enzymes in Protein Digestion and Metabolism*. Journal of Nutritional Science.
[2]Celleno, L. (2014). *Effect of a Protease Supplement on Post-Exercise Muscle Soreness*. Journal of Sports Medicine.
[3]Rakowski, D. (2017). *Enzyme Therapy in Gastrointestinal Disorders*. Integrative Medicine Journal.