Zymain™ - How it Works

Background

One immediate and important goal of rehabilitation after joint trauma is cessation of inflammation and the return of healing circulation. ZYMAIN supplies four enzymes to break down inflammation barriers and quickly allow entry of the healing agents; cartilage, vitamin C, bioflavonoids, zinc and manganese.

Bromelain, a complex of proteolytic enzymes from pineapples, has been used clinically for decades to reduce post-trauma inflammation and continually grows in acceptance. It displays a multitude of anti-inflammatory activities including inhibition of platelet aggregation and thrombosis with stimulation of fibrinolysis¹. Because active bromelain is derived from a natural source with a long history of human use, it is considered extremely safe. Papain is another enzyme from a plant source (papaya) with a history of safe use. The anti-inflammatory activities of papain are somewhat similar to bromelain.

Chymotrypsin and trypsin are very well characterized mammalian, proteolytic enzymes which inhibit platelet aggregation, but the exact, biochemical mechanisms behind their anti-thrombotic effectiveness are still not completely clear. For instance, chymotrypsin is effective at cleaving platelet membrane surface receptor proteins that bind the key clot-initiating enzyme thrombin²; cleaving this receptor inactivates human platelets which retards blood clotting. Chymotrypsin and trypsin are effective at preventing platelet aggregation, due to cleaving more than one type of platelet membrane receptor³. Since some proteolytic enzymes are themselves cleaved and inactivated in the stomach, we must enteric coat these four to deliver optimum benefit through the intestinal linings into the bloodstream.

ZYMAIN® also provides cartilage extract as support for joint repair. Cartilage glycosaminoglycans are used for reconstructing damaged cartilage by chondrocytes and for biosynthesis of new joint lubrication which undergoes massive turnover during repair of damaged joints.

Increased vitamin and mineral intakes are essential following trauma to stimulate the healing process. Vitamin C is required for the biosynthesis of new collagen, a major component of cartilage, through its role as a substrate for hydroxyproline and hydroxylysine biosynthesis. Vitamin C is also critical in the biosynthesis of L-carnitine, an unusual amino acid required for lipid transport for membrane repair and fat burning (to form ATP and GTP). In addition, vitamin C is required for the proper secretion of collagen from cells once this strong, high molecular weight polymer has been synthesized. Formation of a well-developed, collagen framework is absolutely necessary before chondrocytes can reproduce to cover damaged joint tissues. Lack of chondrocytes in the neighborhood of joint damage is one major reason why our old and injured joints become chronically inflamed and never heal.

Manganese is crucial to the biosynthesis of the mucopolysaccharides that lubricate human joints. It is required by several enzymes that attach sulfates to sugars and these glycosulfates and sulfated polysaccharide products eventually become joint lubricants (and the critically important anti-thrombotic endothelial linings of human arteries and veins). It has been reported that nutritional supplementation with a blend of glucosamine/chondroitin sulfate and manganese ascorbate of arthritic lab animals resulted in significantly reduced severity of this disabling disease⁴. The combination of manganese with vitamin C and the strongly reducing bioflavonoids makes sense since it is only the reduced, Mn (II), form of this metal which has biological activity. Oxidized Mn (IV) [like oxidized Fe (III)] is not water soluble, both metals bind oxides very tightly and become impossible to transport through plasma to tissues and cells. The trace compound silica, which mimics sulfate in many respects, has also been shown to be important for the proper biosynthesis of connective tissue and is an essential component of the non-thrombotic, heparin lining of artery and venous walls.

Zinc is another essential mineral; serving as a cofactor to over 200 enzymatic reactions and also a critical, structural element for hundreds of other enzymes. As such, Zn has an important role in cell membrane structures and function, respiration (CO2 transport out of the tissues), digestion, wound healing and in combating infections. Zinc also plays a very fundamental role in all higher organisms; it is an absolute requirement for the biosynthesis of RNA and DNA replication. Indeed, regions called “zinc fingers” exist on many proteins which directly control the rates of DNA and RNA biosyntheses and hence cell replication and protein transcription. ZYMAIN® contains L-Opti-Zinc, a patented 1:1 complex of zinc and methionine – an essential amino acid with one of the highest absorption rates of the common twenty. Studies have shown that L- Opti-Zinc is better absorbed and retained longer than other zinc supplements. Zinc methionine resists binding – sequestering - by dietary fiber and phytate which significantly inhibit Zn absorption via the gut. Phytate is an ensemble of organo-phosphates that commonly inhibits both Zn and Mg absorption by binding these metals tightly in the gut, preventing transport of these essentials thru the intestinal membranes into the bloodstream.

References

1. Maurer, HR (2001). Bromelain: biochemistry, pharmacology and medical use. Cellular and Molecular Life Science 58(9): 1234-1245.
2. Tam, SW, Fenton, JW and Detwiler, TC (1980) Platelet thrombin receptors. Binding of α-thrombin is coupled to signal generation by a chymotrypsin-sensitive mechanism. Journal of Biological Chemistry 255(14): 6626-6632.
3. Liu, L, et al. (1997). Binding of thrombin to the G-protein-linked receptor and not to glycoprotein Ib, precedes thrombin-mediated platelet activation. Journal of Biological Chemistry 272(3): 1997-2004.
4. Beren, J, Hill, SI, Diener-West, M & Rose, NR (2001). Effect of pre-loading oral glucosamine HCl/chondroitin sulfate/manganese ascorbate combination on experimental arthritis…. Experimental Biology & Medicine 266: 144-151.

Supplement Facts - Zymain®

**Enteric coated for optimum bioavailability.

Quality Assurance Statement - Anabolic Laboratories

Founded in 1924, Anabolic Laboratories formulates and manufactures clinical nutrition products. Our expertise in pharmaceutical manufacturing, patient programs, and clinician training sets the standard for health care professionals.

At Biossential Nutrition, we pride ourselves in offering the best products available to our customers. Offering the highest quality products & individual ingredients, as well as ensuring our products are effective & work as advertised, are the mains goals we strive to achieve with our product offerings.

Why We Recommend Anabolic Laboratories Nutritional Supplements

History

Anabolic Laboratories was founded as a nutritional products company in 1924 and became a pharmaceutical manufacturer in 1940. Anabolic Laboratories is one of the oldest manufacturers of nutritional products in the world.

Standards

As a pharmaceutical manufacturing operation, the standards used for raw materials, production and finished product testing exceed the new requirements for nutritional product manufacturing.

Quality

Pharmaceutical standards of manufacturing provide nutritional products with label accuracy, potency and purity as dictated by the USFDA (United States Food & Drug Administration).

Formulas

A nutritional program and clinical formulas that are based on the specifications used in the scientific research.

The Need To Consider Quality:

Of the magnesium supplements tested by ConsumerLab.com, 25% failed to meet quality standards. One magnesium supplement contained only 45.4% of labeled amount, despite boasting a "GMP" (Good Manufacturing Practices) seal on its label, and another supplement provided only 28.8% of the labeled amount.
Reference: ConsumerLab.com, Magnesium Supplement Reviews and Quality Ratings, Posted 5/19/09

Tests by ConsumerLab.com have found multivitamins that were short on ingredients, failed to dissolve properly, or were contaminated with heavy metals.
ConsumerLab.com, New Product Review: Multivitamin and Multimineral Supplements, Posted 4/1/09

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has found that manufacturing problems have been associated with dietary supplements. Products been recalled because of microbiological, pesticide, and heavy metal contamination, and because they do not contain the dietary ingredients they are represented to contain, or they contain more or less than the amount of dietary ingredient claimed on the label.
Reference: June 22, 2007, FDA @ http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/dscgmps7.html