KayB30 (Hiya, Kay!) from the Delphi Forum recommended a brand of Enzymes, Enzymedica. I have contacted Enzym… and Enzyme Research Group and was told, rather emphatically, that they products are corn free… they aren’t. The representative finally asked the questions I posed to the correct individuals and corn derivatives were unearthed…but I should react because all of the proteins were removed. I’m so tired of this lie. Why they didn’t ask from the beginning, I don’t know. KristyReal later chimed in that most enzymes are sprayed onto corn (maltodextrin she believes) to dry. She was told this little gem of information from a representative at Houston Neutraceuticals. The representative believed this to be the industry standard. Joy.
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I spoke with Tammy at Enzymedica and posed the following questions:
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- How is your product manufactured?
- The fungal plant is feed a source of substrate. The two undergo a filtration process to remove the enzyme from the fungal source protein. None of the substrate protein (raw material) is left.
- NOT TRUE…especially when don’t specifically test for anything under 50ppm of corn
- What are the plant sources on which the enzymes are grown?
- Fungal Source: Aspergillus Niger
- What are the specific substrates feed to the fungus to encourage growth?
- She didn’t know. It is from a separate manufacturer. She wasn’t willing to research the matter either.
- What does your filtration process involve?
- It is a very intense purification process. No protein from the raw substrate material is left.
- That’s all the information I was given. Again they don’t test the assumption concerning the raw material.
- What drying process do you use to dry the enzymes for packaging?
- She didn’t know.
- Kristy Real on the Delphi Forum spoke with Houston Neutracueticals and they spray their enzymes onto corn (maltodextrin she believes) to dry before packaging. The company representative believed this to be the industry standard.
- Are any corn derivatives used in the processing or manufacturing of the enzymes, i.e. maltodextrin, dextrin, dextrose/glucose, citric acid, cellulose, microcrytalline cellulose, etc.?
- “There’s no corn in our product.”
- I ask if corn derivatives were used in the processing and received the non-answer above. It’s easy to say there’s no corn in the final product when that statement is not regulated by the FDA and there are no accurate test for corn protein under 50PPM.
- Can I have the information for the manufacturer who produces the substrate?
- She avoided this question.
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I’m still waiting to here back from Tammy, she took my name and number and promised she would look into the above questions more. Anywho Enzymedica products supposedly contain no fillers and the enzymes are grown on Aspergillus Niger. I have an allergy to mold. So it may be a no-go for me anyway. My body ignores the purification processes used to remove proteins. I received an email from Cindy at TriEnza concerning the fungal source. Considering the information KristyReal already received from Houston, I don’t believe I will pursue the corn/grain content any further.
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Update: I finally heard back from Tammy at #Enzymedica. The representative from Houston Enzymes spoke the truth. The industry standard is to use maltodextrin in the drying process of the enzymes. Tammy went on to state why Enzymedica enzymes are better than the rest however I wasn’t interested. I didn’t ask how they were better, I asked about the corn content. I will not be taking these enzymes or any others for that matter.
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This email is from TriEnza. I won’t be trying their enzymes.
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“Hi Erica,
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If you have a known allergy to Aspergillus, you may want to avoid the enzymes. It may be helpful to know that the enzymes are highly purified with the fungal matter removed. However, the enzymes are proteins, and you can be allergic to any proteins – including the enzymes. Most of our customers who have been told they have an Aspergillus allergy do fine with the enzymes, but I would be cautious. There are some people who don’t tolerate any enzymes derived from Aspergillus. If you wish to try the enzymes, we are happy to send a free sample. All of our enzyme products have enzymes derived from Aspergillus except for our No-Fenol and Bromelain. As you know, the bromelain is from pineapple. No-Fenol has enzymes from a fungus called Trichoderma.
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Kind regards,
Cindy”
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Spiderman suggested I take Papaya enzyme (papain) or Bromelain. From reading it seems they are both not suggested for someone with a known latex allergy.
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Bromelain has also resulted in allergic reactions and asthma symptoms, including breathing problems, tightness in the throat, skin hives, rash and itchy skin. Anyone who is allergic to pineapples should not take Bromelain, as it is derived from pineapples. Allergic reactions may also occur in people with allergies to latex, carrot, celery, fennel, rye, wheat, papain, bee venom or grass, birch or cypress pollens. People with peptic ulcers, those taking anti-inflammatories and those with bleeding problems should not use Bromelain. People with other digestive disorders should consult a qualified healthcare professional before using Bromelain. The safety of Bromelain in pregnant or nursing women is not known. There are many other possible interactions that might occur between Bromelain and other health conditions and medications. Anyone considering taking Bromelain should therefore first consult their primary doctor.
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Papaya is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to any of its components (eg, papain).
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Papaya may induce severe allergic responses in sensitive people. A case report of immediate hypersensitivity reaction after contact with C. papaya has been reported. A total serum immunoglobulin E of 2,500 units/mL was found in this patient, and prick tests with papaya extracts were positive. 5 Cross-sensitivity between papain and papaya latex has been described, suggesting patients who exhibit an allergic reaction to papaya latex may have a similar reaction to papain. 88 , 89
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Topically, the papaya latex can be a severe irritant and vesicant. 1
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The latex from unripe papaya fruit is rich in 2 enzymes: papain (also known as vegetable pepsin) and chymopapain. 9 Other constituents include a mixture of other cysteine endopeptidases, such as papaya endopeptidase II (also known as caricain), papaya endopeptidase IV, omega endopeptidase, 14 chinitases, protease inhibitors, linamarase, and proteins without known functions. 15 , 16 As the fruit ripens, papain and chymopapain dissipate and neither is present in the ripe fruit. 17 Papain is primarily a mixture of protein-degrading enzymes, 18 but other components of papain can degrade carbohydrates and fats. Chymopapain has been fractionated into subcomponents designated “A” and “B.” 19 It is very similar to papain in the spectrum of its proteolytic activity, although it is less potent with respect to protein degradation. 20 Carpaine, an alkaloid compound, is also found in the unripe fruit and young leaves of papaya. 9 , 21 The leaves contain the glycoside carposide. 1
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o_O I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place and I’m not really sure what to do next. I know I won’t be taking any enzymes.
