[Updated January 24, 2018]
Charles Green is the largest American distributor of Wobenzym. When his Las Vegas supplement store was featured in the article, over a thousand of us ordered the product for our dogs.
"I didn't know whether to kiss you or pull your hair out," Green says. "They bought almost all the Wobenzym we had, and the product is hard to get. Most people have ordered it to relieve arthritis or cancer in their dogs. I know it works because today, more than four years later, we're still getting it.” repeated orders from many of the same people. Some now take it themselves and give it to their dogs."
What is Wobenzym?
In Germany, Wobenzym is the second largest over-the-counter product after aspirin. It is also the most thoroughly researched enzyme supplement in the world. (The product's real name is Wobenzym N, but most call it Wobenzym for short.) Its mixture of pancreatin, trypsin, chymotrypsin, bromelain, papain and rutin would normally work as a digestive aid, but Wobenzym is taken on an empty stomach between meals and its intestinal lining protects these ingredients until they are released in the small intestine. From there, they travel throughout the body, reducing inflammation wherever it occurs by breaking down harmful proteins into smaller chains of amino acids. This type of treatment is called "systemic oral enzyme therapy".
Wobenzym was developed in the USA in the 1950s by Dr. Max Wolf and Helen Benitez of Columbia University, who named the product "wo" for wolf, "ben" for Benitez and "zym" for enzymes. Their research showed that proteolytic enzymes (protein digestion) have four key properties when circulating in the body: reduce inflammation, break down harmful fibrous tissue, reduce blood viscosity to prevent harmful clots, without the negative side effects of aspirin and other blood products. blood thinners and support the immune system.
Despite its advantages, Wobenzym only became a successful dietary supplement when it came to Germany. Since then, it has been tested in more than a hundred medical studies and clinical trials, most of them in Europe.
Wobenzym is recommended for bruises, sprains and sports injuries of all kinds, as well as for arthritis and all inflammatory diseases. European Olympic teams use Wobenzym for prevention (the result is a 50 percent reduction in injuries) and by increasing the dose to treat any type of traumatic injury and accelerate healing.
The bioflavonoid rutin, one of the ingredients of Wobenzym, prevents discoloration and pain associated with bruising. German surgeons routinely prescribe Wobenzym to prevent bruising, swelling, edema and pain, significantly reducing recovery time after surgery. German hospitals give large doses to people with severe injuries to prevent brain swelling and speed up recovery.
According to the manufacturer, Wobenzym has been shown in clinical trials and medical studies to reduce the occurrence of fatal blood clots as a result of the sudden breakdown of sensitive deposits; increase well-being; help prevent heart attack and stroke; help protect the body from environmental toxins; and effective in the treatment of arthritis, autoimmune diseases, rheumatic and cardiovascular diseases, infections, tumor diseases, herpes and other viral infections, cancer, hepatitis C, repeated miscarriages and many degenerative diseases.
The recommended dose for humans is three tablets twice daily taken at least 45 minutes before meals or as directed by a physician. These health recommendations are often much higher, as Charles Green found out in interviews with doctors and scientists about Wobenzym on his "Health Talk" radio show.
"These experts always tell me," he says, "that the given dose is extremely conservative." That's actually the recommended maintenance dose for a healthy 18-year-old. As we age or get sick or injured, our body uses up a dose of stored enzymes, so larger doses are needed to maintain them.
“In middle-aged patients with arthritis or fibromyalgia, daily doses of 30 or 40 tablets or more may be needed to relieve symptoms. Those recovering from accidents, injuries, surgeries or illnesses such as cancer often take more. The optimal dose depends on the body's response. Diarrhea, which occurs when you take more than you need, is the only side effect reported in humans.
“Anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and Cox-2 inhibitors kill thousands of Americans, and many more are hospitalized for side effects. Wobenzym is sold in over 40 countries, taken by millions every day, and has never killed anyone.
Wobenzym for dogs?
Two types of Wobenzym are available in the United States. Both have the same content, but are coated differently. Regular Wobenzym is light beige in color, while the product sold as Fido Wobenzym has a red coating and a less pronounced smell.
"There is a lot of confusion about Fido-Wobenzym," says Green. “Some websites state that it is a special formulation just for dogs or that the recommended dosages of the two versions are different. Neither statement is true.”
Fido-Wobenzym is the same product sold to people in Europe. His red frosting contains a small amount of sugar and food coloring, and because American consumers wanted a sugar-free product that did not contain dyes, the manufacturer developed a regular sugar-free frosting for the American market. Some people prefer the red coating - it's a matter of personal preference.
The only difference between the red product and the beige product is literally the coating, and the only difference between the red product and Fido-Wobenzym is the label. Green says, "Fido Wobenzym is available in small containers of 33 or 99 tablets, which makes it more expensive, while regular Wobenzym sold in bottles of 200, 400 or 800 tablets is more economical."
Fido-Wobenzym-Arthritis-Studie
In 2002, Beverly Cappel, DVM, a holistic veterinarian in Chestnut Ridge, New York, conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study of Wobenzym N/Fido-Wobenzym for the care and treatment of arthritis in dogs. Sixty dogs diagnosed with various types of arthritis were divided into two groups and received either Fido-Wobenzym or identical placebo tablets for six to nine weeks. The study tested doses of one tablet twice daily or two tablets twice daily.
"In Europe, where this compound is widely used," explains Dr. Cappel, "it is known to be joint-sparing and anti-inflammatory without the gastrointestinal or other complications associated with NSAIDs."
The dogs in the study continued with the existing protocol (if any) for prescribed medications or natural remedies. Most dogs have already been on supplements such as glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), boswellia, alfalfa, and other herbs that help with arthritis, as well as antioxidant vitamins.
"This was a placebo-controlled study," says Dr. Cappel, "but it was clear which dogs were taking Wobenzym. They were the ones who stopped limping shortly after the study began and were able to walk longer. Their owners noticed that these dogs they are in much less pain. They started behaving like puppies again. The key benefit was the reduction in inflammation. The few patients who responded well were older dogs who had difficulty standing or could not climb stairs or only very short walks. The ability to re- climbing stairs or walking longer - these are invaluable benefits. After the survey was completed, many owners stopped by for a tap."
In a separate small observational study conducted at the same time, eight dogs with cancer received Fido-Wobenzym. In Europe, Wobenzym is a popular dietary supplement for cancer patients because it can prevent metastases. "We have seen excellent results in small tumors and increased survival time," reports Dr. Kapela. "Of the group, two died, but the rest were fine." Their owners and our own clinical and laboratory values showed that the tumors either became static or regressed."
Most of these dogs were also given alternative cancer treatments such as Carnivora (a European extract of the carnivorous plant Venus flytrap), Chinese herbs, raw food and turmeric. "Even if your pet is already receiving holistic cancer treatment," says Dr. Cappel, "Systemic enzymes seem to help there as well."
Digestive enzymes are not suitable for every dog
But Wobenzym is not without side effects, at least in some dogs. dr. Cappel first noticed platelet problems in patients whose owners were already giving higher doses of Wobenzyme for arthritis or cancer than recommended on the Fido-Wobenzyme label.
She says Wobenzym is unlikely to cause side effects at doses up to two pills twice a day (four pills a day), but as a precaution she recommends a maximum of three pills a day, which she considers very safe. Dog owners taking large amounts, such as six or more pills a day, should be on the lookout for any of the following symptoms, which may indicate platelet problems, internal bleeding, or anemia: small spots of blood on the gums, pale gums, unusual bleeding, etc. .with bloodshot eyes.
under Dr. None of Cappel's patients who developed platelet problems became anemic enough to develop white or pale gums. The problem, seen in male and female dogs of various ages, breeds, sizes and conditions, some of whom were eating raw, homemade food, developed within the first six weeks of daily Wobenzym supplementation. Immediate dose reduction or discontinuation of the product resolved these symptoms.
Many dogs have taken significantly higher doses without problems, as explained later in this article, but Wobenzym's enzyme combination can thin the blood. Wobenzym is not recommended for dogs with bleeding or clotting disorders or for animals taking blood thinners.
If you give your dogs digestive enzymes with their food, you don't have to worry about platelet problems, even if your dog is on blood thinners or has a bleeding disorder, because the enzyme powder, sprinkled properly on their food, works in the stomach. and help digestion. With systemic oral enzyme treatment with Wobenzym, the enzymes are protected from stomach acid and do not interact with food.
Enzymes for Penny's eye pain
In November 2000, Penny, a six-year-old boxer from San Diego, Pam Klassen, scratched her eye while hunting lizards in the deep brush of her favorite lake. The eye became very painful, inflamed and oozing pus. Penny's vet prescribed antibiotic ointment, but it didn't help.
"Over the next two months, we tried different antibiotics, but nothing seemed to work," reports Klassen. "The wound kept getting worse. The vet eventually sent us to a specialist who wanted to operate on her eye and sew the third eyelid over the eye in hopes of healing the wound. The price would be over a thousand dollars and he said he would." It doesn't always work. Fortunately, I had just read the issue of WDJ that contained the article "Banking on Enzymes" (January 2001). After reading how it helped one dog with cancer and another with a back injury, I decided to give Penny's wound an injection.
The class started Penny on five tablets of Wobenzym a day and added five a day until she noticed improvement. "This was achieved by giving 40 pills a day in four divided doses of 10 pills each," she says. “The only side effect she showed was a little diarrhea and gas. If her stomach was uncomfortable, I would take the day off and let her body rest.”
“The first thing I noticed was that Penny seemed to be in less pain. She didn't keep her eye closed and the peeling slowed down, eventually went away, and eventually stopped altogether. Soon I could see small blood vessels in the milky color of the wound, which I learned was a good sign of healing. Then the blood vessels disappeared and only a slightly milky area was visible. That went away too and that's when I started reducing her dose. In the end, her eye became clear, sparkling and healthy with no visible long-term damage.”
It took about six weeks for Penny's first wound to heal. "Then she got an ulcer in her other eye," says Klassen. "I immediately started giving her Wobenzym without all the extra vitamins I used the first time. This time she took 20 pills a day for less than three weeks and the sore disappeared. She's such a jerk when it comes to hunting creatures, she's prone to wounds like this. Now, if I catch her digging in the garden and she has dirt in her eyes, I immediately flush her with a mild saline solution and give her Wobenzym for a few days. He usually doesn't get an ulcer at all.
"I saw a woman walking by the lake with a boxer and while I was talking to her I saw that her dog had a big sore on his eye. When she said that it was difficult for them to cure the disease, I told her about it." My experience. She bought Wobenzym, tried it and completely healed her dog's wounds. This product is amazing! Now I take it every day as a preventative measure."
Veterinarian Enzyme Protocol
Mary Foster, DVM, who practices veterinary medicine in Gainesville, Fla., became interested in systemic oral enzymes five years ago. Since then she has been prescribing Wobenzym for canine patients.
One of her first Wobenzym patients was Elliott, a large terrier mix with hip dysplasia and severe arthritis in both knees. Elliott was 13 when he slipped on a wooden floor and couldn't get up. His owner, Leanne Lawrence, took him to three vets, all of whom recommended putting Elliott down to put him out of his misery. Then she found Dr. Foster, who makes home visits.
"I always have Wobenzym with me," says Dr Foster, "and as soon as I saw Elliot I started giving him five pills an hour. I also told Leanne to encourage him to stand and walk on a safe carpeted surface, as exercise often helps dogs in his condition to feel better. Right after his." On the third dose he and Leanne were walking down the street."
Elliot continued his active, traveling life despite being diagnosed with bone cancer when he was 15. "I treated him homeopathically and holistically," says Dr. Foster, "and the bone tumor disappeared. It really surprised the vet who did a biopsy like everyone else. Elliot finally died in his sleep last winter at the age of 17. "
dr. Foster prescribes Wobenzym for arthritis, hip dysplasia, injuries, skin and coat problems, autoimmune diseases, and any condition related to inflammation. Although she uses doses well above those listed on the label, her patients have not experienced any problems with platelet formation or signs of anemia. "I've given it to more than a hundred dogs, most of whom I see regularly," she says. "Some people took it every day for five years. The only situation where I wouldn't use it would be if the dog has a stomach ulcer, which is rare but can be caused by taking certain medications."
How Dr. Foster, how long will it take? "I tend to give it an impact," she explains. “This means increasing the dose until the symptoms respond. For most conditions, I start with one pill for every 10 pounds of body weight up to a maximum of five pills at a time two or three times a day. For serious diseases." In a condition where the dog is seriously injured or unable to move due to pain, I will give this amount more often, for example every hour or two."
Wobenzym works best when taken on an empty stomach between meals. dr. Foster reports that most dogs, including her own, will eat pills out of her hand. "I use regular pills, not the ones coated in red, and they just swallow them. For dogs who are not interested, some tablets are flavored with tuna water. You can give them a small amount of food if necessary, but no food is best. For dogs that like to catch food, a game of tag can be an easy way to get food.”
If the dog responds to the initial dose, says Dr. Foster increases the amount, looking for an effective maintenance dose. "I examine the dog's symptoms," she says. “I'm looking for physical comfort, improved range of motion, more playfulness and similar improvements. After the dog is on a daily dose that gives good results, we continue for a few weeks before reducing the dose. I don't want to reduce the amount too soon, because the body in a damaged state needs all the enzyme support it can get.
"To see if a lower dose can give good results, we reduce the amount by one or two pills in each divided dose during the day, then continue with that amount for several weeks unless symptoms recur."
If the dog gets injured, limps or shows other symptoms, Dr. Another dose of maintenance.
“I have noticed that dogs have fewer seizures the longer they are on the maintenance dose of Wobenzym. It appears to prevent and heal injuries. And dogs with Wobenzym recover from surgery much faster than other dogs. I look at the posts for swelling during surgery and if it occurs I increase the dose. Otherwise, they simply stick to their maintenance doses before and after surgery. If they are not already taking Wobenzym, I recommend giving one tablet per 5 pounds of body weight twice a day for small dogs and one tablet per 5 pounds of body weight for small dogs. For large dogs, take one tablet twice a day for a week or two before planned surgery One tablet per 10 pounds, up to a maximum of five tablets at a time.
"I don't know what I would do without Wobenzym," she concludes. - For me, it's a miracle.
WOBENZYME: PREGLED
1. Keep Wobenzym on hand in case of injury or use it daily for arthritis, inflammation, skin problems or autoimmune diseases.
2. Follow the directions on the label or use one of the protocols described here.
3. Do not give to dogs with bleeding disorders. Check the gums and eyes for spots, paleness or signs of bleeding. Discontinue use or reduce dose if necessary.
4. Find a safe and effective maintenance dose that will keep your dog comfortable and active.
the authorEncyclopedia of Natural Pet Care,Natural remedies for dogs and catsand other books, CJ Puotinen lives in New York with her Labrador retriever husband and their red cat.