Papaya enzyme is a popular supplement that you might have seen at health food stores or drugstores. While there are many rumors regarding the enzyme's potential, there's little scientific evidence to prove any claims. For instance, there's no scientific evidence that papaya enzymes can help to lower or balance--or affect in any way--your hormone levels.
Hormone Levels
Your body produces many different hormones. Some of them are reproductive--women, for instance, produce the estrogen and progesterone that control the menstrual cycle--while others serve a variety of other functions. Epinephrine is the "fight or flight" hormone, and the pancreatic hormones insulin and glucagon help to control your blood sugar levels. Generally speaking, hormones help cells in one part of the body communicate with other parts, explains Lauralee Sherwood, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, at West Virginia University, in her book "Human Physiology."
Papaya Enzyme
Papaya enzyme is called papain. It's a proteolytic enzyme, meaning it breaks down protein. Enzymes are largely misunderstood by the general public and often have powers they don't possess attributed to them. For instance, many people think all enzymes act similarly to one another, or that one enzyme can do many different things. These are both untrue; enzymes all act differently from one another, and each enzyme can only participate in one kind of reaction, according to the textbook "Biochemistry."
Papain and Hormones
Because papain breaks down protein, which makes it an excellent ingredient in meat marinades, it can't do anything else. It can't break down fat, for instance, nor can it affect your hormone levels. Further, not only does papain lack the power to affect your hormone levels, there's no way to get papain from your digestive tract into your bloodstream or your cells. As such, even if papain could have an effect on hormone-producing cells, it would have no way to get to them.
Alternatives
If you're worried about your hormone levels, you should see a health care professional. While you might be tempted to blame your symptoms on high hormone levels, only testing can determine whether hormones are at the heart of whatever you're experiencing. Your health care professional can diagnose you and, if necessary, prescribe an appropriate hormone-lowering treatment, which might include medication. Treatment options will vary widely depending upon which hormone levels are too high.
References
- "Human Physiology"; Lauralee Sherwood, Ph.D.; 2004
- "Biochemistry"; Reginald Garrett, Ph.D. and Charles Grisham, Ph.D.; 2007
Member Comments