I haven't tried it, in fact had never heard of it before this morning. After reading all the information on it, I should be taking some, I'm sure I would find I am much more mobile by the end of the day than I am right now...
the following is what I found on the net about children and pets taking it -
"SerraPlus (Serrapeptase) can be safely used with children and animals. A recommended dose of 1-2 capsules per day for children. If they can't swallow the capsule, break it open and mix with honey)"
The link will take you to some testimonials that also sound amazing.
Is it the next wonder 'drug'?
Suzan J

Here is a link that might be useful: Serrapeptase Testimonials

Sounds really interesting! I will definitely look into this. I don't like taking meds, but I have bad joints, and lots of scar tissue, especially from knee surgery. Thanks for posting this!

I never heard of it until you mentioned it either, but I found it's been mentioned a number of times on the fibromyalgia forum I belong to. One of those posts quoted an article that looks like it might be from a medical journal. Here goes:

Serrapeptase, also known as Serratia peptidase, is a proteolytic enzyme isolated from the non-pathogenic enterobacteria Serratia E15. When consumed in unprotected tablets or capsules, the enzyme is destroyed by acid in the stomach. However, enterically-coated tablets enable the enzyme to pass through the stomach unchanged, and be absorbed in the intestine. Serrapeptase is found in negligible amounts in the urine, suggesting that it is transported directly from the intestine into the bloodstream.(15,16)

Clinical studies show that serrapeptase induces fibrinolytic, anti-inflammatory and anti-edemic (prevents swelling and fluid retention) activity in a number of tissues, and that its anti-inflammatory effects are superior to other proteolytic enzymes.(17)

Besides reducing inflammation, one of serrapeptase's most profound benefits is reduction of pain, due to its ability to block the release of pain-inducing amines from inflamed tissues.(18) Physicians throughout Europe and Asia have recognized the anti-inflammatory and pain-blocking benefits of this naturally occurring substance and are using it in treatment as an alternative to salicylates, ibuprofen, and other NSAIDs.(19)

In Germany and other European countries, serrapeptase is a common treatment for inflammatory and traumatic swellings, and much of the research that exists on this substance is of European origin. One double-blind study was conducted by German researchers to determine the effect of serrapeptase on post-operative swelling and pain. This study involved sixty-six patients who were treated surgically for fresh rupture of the lateral collateral ligament of the knee. On the third post-operative day, the group receiving serrapeptase exhibited a 50 percent reduction of swelling, compared to the controls. The patients receiving serrapeptase also became more rapidly pain-free than the controls, and by the tenth day, the pain had disappeared completely.(20)

Cystic Breast Disease

Serrapeptase has also been used in the successful treatment of fibrocystic breast disease. In a double-blind study, 70 patients complaining of breast engorgement randomly were divided into a treatment group and a placebo group. Serrapeptase was superior to the placebo for improvement of breast pain, breast swelling and induration (firmness). 85.7 percent of the patients receiving serrapeptase reported moderate to marked improvement. No adverse reactions to serrapeptase were reported and the researchers concluded that "serrapeptase is a safe and effective method for the treatment of breast engorgement."(21,22)

Serrapeptase and Sinusitis

Due to its inflammatory properties, serrapeptase has been shown in clinical studies to benefit chronic sinusitis sufferers. In this condition, the mucus in patients nasal cavities is thickened and hypersecreted. This thickening causes mucus to be expelled less frequently. Japanese researchers evaluated the effects of serratiopeptidase (30 mg/day orally for four weeks) on the elasticity and viscosity of the nasal mucus in adult patients with chronic sinusitis. Serratiopeptidase reduced the viscosity of the mucus, improving the elimination of bronchopulmonary secretions.(23)

Other clinical trials support serrapeptase's ability to relieve the problems associated with chronic sinusitis. In one study, 140 patients with acute or chronic ear, nose and throat pathologies were evaluated with either a placebo or the active serratia peptidase. Patients taking the serrapeptase experienced a significant reduction in severity of pain, amount of secretion, purulence of secretions, difficulty in swallowing, nasal dysphonia, nasal obstruction, anosmia, and body temperature after three to four days and at the end of treatment. Patients suffering from laryngitis, catarrhal rhinopharyngitis and sinusitis who were treated with serrapeptase experienced a significant and rapid improvement of symptoms after 3-4 days. Physicians assessed efficacy of treatment as excellent or good for 97.3 percent of patients treated with serrapeptase compared with only 21.9 percent of those treated with a placebo.(24)

Respiratory diseases are characterized by increased production of a more dense mucus modified in viscosity and elasticity. Traditionally, in respiratory diseases, muco-active drugs are prescribed to reestablish the physicochemical characteristics of the mucus in order to restore respiratory function. Some of these drugs, however, cause a functional depletion of mucus, whereas Serrapeptase alters the elasticity of mucus without depleting it.(25,27)

A powerful agent by itself, serrapeptase teamed with antibiotics delivers increased concentrations of the antimicrobial agent to the site of the infection. Bacteria often endure a process called biofilm formation, which results in resistance to antimicrobial agents. In an attempt to prevent this bacterial immunity, researchers have experimented with various means of inhibiting biofilm-embedded bacteria. Their search may have ended with serrapeptase. One study conducted by Italian researchers suggests that proteolytic enzymes could significantly enhance the activities of antibiotics against biofilms. Antibiotic susceptibility tests showed that serratiopeptidase greatly enhances the activity of the antibiotic, ofloxacin, and that it can inhibit biofilm formation.(28)

Another double-blind randomized study evaluated the effects of administering the antibiotic cephalexin in conjunction with serrapeptase or a placebo to 93 patients suffering from either perennial rhinitis, chronic rhinitis with sinusitis or chronic relapsing bronchitis. The serratia peptidase treated group experienced significant improvement in rhinorrhea, nasal stuffiness, coryza and improvement of the para-nasal sinus shadows.(29)

Researchers witnessed equally impressive results in the treatment of infections in lung cancer patients undergoing thoracotomy. Serrapeptase and cefotiam, an antibiotic with a broad spectrum of activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative microorganisms, were administered to 35 thoracotomy patients with lung cancer. The patients were divided into two groups. A single dose of cefotiam was administered to the 17 subjects in Group I. The 18 subjects in Group II received a combination of Cefotiam and serrapeptase. The level of the antibiotic in the tissues versus the blood was significantly higher in the serrapeptase group than the single dose group.(30)

Cardiovascular Implications

Hans A. Nieper, M.D., an internist from Hannover, Germany, studied the effects of serrapeptase on plaque accumulations in the arteries. The formation of plaque involves deposits of fatty substances, cholesterol, cellular waste products, calcium and fibrin (a clotting material in the blood) on the inner lining of the arteries. Excessive plaque results in partial or complete blockage of the blood's flow through an artery, resulting in arteriosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, and an ensuing stroke or heart attack. The evidence to support serrapeptase's role in preventing plaque build-up is anecdotal. Still, further studies are called for in this area as Nieper's research indicated that the protein-dissolving action of serrapeptase will gradually break down atherosclerotic plaques.(31)

Conclusion

Regardless of whether serrapeptase is used for inflammatory diseases or to prevent plaque build up on the arteries, it is well-tolerated. Due to its lack of side effects and anti-inflammatory capabilities, serrapeptase is a logical choice to replace harmful NSAIDs. Thanks to the tiny larvae of the silk moth, researchers have taken a large step toward finding relief for inflammatory disease sufferers.

Long list of references to scientific publications followed. I haven't finished my reading yet, but this certainly sounds intriguing! Thanks for mentioning it.

Susan

It sounds very interesting! I have chronic sinus problems, and my husband has had breathing problems since he had double pneumonia. As with everything else, I'd worry about side effects, but would love to know more.

I was ready to go out and find where to get this.

But then about 3/4 of the way into the first testimonial I read We started sharing our Serrapeptase with our friends and family and pets, because we wanted them to feel as good as we were. Before long, we were selling it.

That kinda made me lose interest.

But if it is only half as good as the claims, I'll line up to get some.

Sue

But Sue,doesn't someone have to sell it? I once sold a product that improved ones health because it worked for me and a lot of other people as well.A lot of these types of things are sold by people who have used it themselves and decided to make a little money from the product.What is wrong with that? I'm ordering some and see what it does for me and my DH.It can't hurt and I haven't lost much if it doesn't work,but then I may gain a lot if it does!

If Sue thinks the way I do, the admission that the person was selling the product made her question the validity of the testimonial. After all, some people, in their desire to make a profit, wouldn't hesitate to exaggerate a product's benefits.

Heck, I'd Like to try this for my sinus problems---Where can you buy it?

Donna (^_^)

I've never heard of it. I will look into it though. Only thing that bothers me is the suggestion of putting it into honey if a child is too young to swallow a capsule.

If a child is too young for capsules, it is too young to ingest honey. I won't preach. I'll just suggest that you do your own research before considering giving honey to a young child.

Just my usual suspicious, skeptical, somewhat cynical nature I guess.{{gwi:1472115}}

Lilliepad, nothing wrong with selling a good product. Many years ago I sold Avon, my DGD is a Mary Kay consultant, people go door to door selling Electrolux vacuum cleaners. These are well known products, but for something that is not highly advertised, and possibly the seller makes $$ by enlisting others to sell for them, ala pyramids, I think it is different. Not saying that this works that way.

I will be going to WalMart tomorrow; I'll ask the pharmacist what he knows about it.

Sue

There are other testimonies in other places too where the people aren't selling it.

Anything that can cure you... can hurt you. There have been some negative side effects... please do your research.

It "could' be the next miracle cure... what was the last one? Anyway, I'd run anything like this past your doctor first, just in case... especially if you're considering giving to a child. Yarnlover makes a good point; kind of makes you wonder.

I use it, buy it at the health food store, and have had no ill effects.

Yarnlover is so right. Honey can contain botulism which can be deadly to children under the age of 2. Parents and grandparents should know about this. As for all herbal remedies including serrapeptase, treat it exactly as you would a prescription medication. Buy from a reliable source, and take only as directed after talking with your healthcare provider about possible interactions with other medications.

anette

I got it at the health food store. Some brands mix it with something else for a digestive aid....I just got the regular unadulterated stuff. I never heard of it until our good friend/massage therapist told us about it. It's been around for at least 25 years in Europe.
I've had the bottle for a couple of weeks now and I only take it here and there, if I feel a "sinus day" coming on....works for me within 15 minutes.
I wouldn't call it the next miracle cure....just something that our drug companies aren't into. There's alot of money to be made in pain relievers!
It's really cool to walk around a health food store once in a while or go there first if you need some "everyday-type" medicine rather than to the pharmacy. Not saying it's less costly (usually not), or works better.....just probably better for our bodies in the long run.

I'm her friend and she has turned her screen image upside down and wants to know how to turn it upright. Can you help her

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Hey, Glenda, how did that get in here? lol

I asked the pharmacist at WalMart and he said he had never heard of it. Just reporting, no other comment.

Sue

Does anyone have a link to what side effects might be involved?
I'd like to try this, but I have kidney issues so I have to very careful with any supplements I take - would be nice to know if there are any indications of potential kidney problems...
Thanks,
Suzan J

I'm not surprised the pharmacist never heard of it. When I was seeing a cardiologist and taking Hawthorne, she never heard of that. Still, she told me to stop taking it. (I didn't.)

Bump...anybody know anything about the side effects?
Suzan J

Oddly enough, I can't find any side effects...and I really looked hard. It's usually the first thing I try to find.

Walmart is not exactly a plethora of information and most pharmacists don't know/recommend anything that doesn't come from a drug manufacturer. Consider yourself very lucky if you can find a pharmacist that is also into more natural remedies. There is also the issue of liability for them.