“Proteolytic Enzymes (Proteases)?”Here!digestive enzymes
Hasn’t appeared in a scanned product yet.
As a supplement
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Roll Call does not check drug interactions or assess personal safety.
A general category of enzymes that break proteins down into smaller peptides and amino acids, sourced variously from plants, animals, or microbial fermentation.
Why it’s used
Taken to support protein digestion, and sometimes marketed for reducing inflammation or muscle soreness.
What the evidence says
Evidence is limited and varies by specific enzyme source. Because "proteolytic enzymes" covers many different products with different origins and activity levels, there is no unified body of research supporting broad claims, and major reviews have not reached a settled conclusion.
Where we looked
There was no paper to cite here, so this is the search instead — run it yourself and see what we saw.
- PubMed: 2388 records · searched September 2026
"Proteolytic Enzymes"[Title/Abstract] AND (review[pt] OR "safety assessment"[Title/Abstract] OR "risk assessment"[Title/Abstract] OR toxicology[Title/Abstract] OR toxicity[Title/Abstract] OR characterization[Title/Abstract] OR characterisation[Title/Abstract]) - PubMed: 11 records · searched September 2026
"Proteolytic Enzymes"[Title/Abstract] AND ("dietary supplements"[MeSH] OR supplementation[Title/Abstract] OR supplement[Title/Abstract] OR supplements[Title/Abstract] OR "oral administration"[Title/Abstract]) AND (randomized controlled trial[pt] OR clinical trial[pt] OR meta-analysis[pt] OR systematic review[pt]) AND humans[MeSH] - PubMed: 9605 records · searched September 2026
"Proteolytic Enzymes"[Title/Abstract]
This says what this database holds under these terms. It is not a finding that no research exists.
Context
Because this is a broad category rather than a single defined substance, studied doses and protocols vary by product and cannot be generalized.
Rumors
Proteolytic enzyme supplements relieve pain and inflammation from sports injuries, trauma, surgery and osteoarthritis.
Supports — suggestivehealth and safety evidence
Studied in: adults with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis.
Measured as an outcome.
- Oral enzyme combination therapy reduces systemic inflammation, urinary CTXII and pain in knee osteoarthritis: a proof-of-mechanism, randomised, crossover, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (Peer-reviewed) · Funded by Nestlé Health Science (industry) · Authors declare a conflict of interest
- Proteolytic enzymes | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (Database) · Funding not checked
Who’s saying this
- iherb.com — we couldn’t open the site to see who runs it
Proteolytic enzymes boost the immune system.
Supports — suggestivehealth and safety evidence
Measured as a biomarker.
- Proteolytic enzymes | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (Database) · Funding not checked
- The effects of prophylactic protease supplementation on markers of muscle damage prior to and following intense eccentric exercise: preliminary findings (Peer-reviewed) · Funded by Transformation Enzyme Corporation; American College of Sports Medicine Texas Chapter (industry)
Who’s saying this
- Enzymedica — a brand: sells digestive enzyme and health supplements
How we know who this is
- “Since 1998, Enzymedica® has been on a mission to make great health easier for everyone.” (their page)
- “Enzymedica® is the Leader in Digestive Enzymes & Health Supplements Great digestive health begins with Enzymedica.” (their page)
Proteolytic enzyme supplements can cause digestive side effects like diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.
Supports — suggestivehealth and safety evidence
Measured as an outcome.
- Oral enzyme combination therapy reduces systemic inflammation, urinary CTXII and pain in knee osteoarthritis: a proof-of-mechanism, randomised, crossover, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (Peer-reviewed) · Funded by Nestlé Health Science (industry) · Authors declare a conflict of interest
- Proteolytic enzymes | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (Database) · Funding not checked
Who’s saying this
- Healthline — a publisher: health information publisher; part of RVO Health, backed by Red Ventures and UnitedHealth Group's Optum
How we know who this is
- “Healthline is a digital publisher and does not offer personal health or medical advice.” (their page)
- “Healthline is part of RVO Health, a company backed by Red Ventures and UnitedHealth Group’s Optum.” (their page)
Protease supplements speed up muscle recovery and reduce soreness after workouts.
Unresolvedhealth and safety evidence
Studied in: aerobically-active men aged 18–35.
Measured as an outcome.
- The effects of prophylactic protease supplementation on markers of muscle damage prior to and following intense eccentric exercise: preliminary findings (Peer-reviewed) · Funded by Transformation Enzyme Corporation; American College of Sports Medicine Texas Chapter (industry)
Who’s saying this
- Enzymedica — a brand: sells digestive enzyme and health supplements
How we know who this is
- “Since 1998, Enzymedica® has been on a mission to make great health easier for everyone.” (their page)
- “Enzymedica® is the Leader in Digestive Enzymes & Health Supplements Great digestive health begins with Enzymedica.” (their page)
Protease supplements help your body digest protein and absorb amino acids from food.
Supports — suggestivehealth and safety evidence
Measured as a biomarker.
- Acute Microbial Protease Supplementation Increases Net Postprandial Plasma Amino Acid Concentrations After Pea Protein Ingestion in Healthy Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial (Peer-reviewed) · Funded by BIO-CAT, Inc. (industry) · Authors declare a conflict of interest
Who’s saying this
- Enzymedica — a brand: sells digestive enzyme and health supplements
How we know who this is
- “Since 1998, Enzymedica® has been on a mission to make great health easier for everyone.” (their page)
- “Enzymedica® is the Leader in Digestive Enzymes & Health Supplements Great digestive health begins with Enzymedica.” (their page)