AFP Peptizyde
AFP Peptizyde® (Advanced Formula Protease) is a combination of three different enzymes that break down protein. These enzymes are isolated and purified from fungal plant sources.
The combination of these specific enzymes allows much more efficient means of quickly and thoroughly breaking down (hydrolyzing) proteins to smaller components.
The enzymes in AFP Peptizyde work only on food proteins, not carbohydrates, fats, or other compounds, and do not interfere with medications or other supplements (unless they are also proteins, which is extremely unlikely). AFP Peptizyde may be used in combination with other enzyme products.
The enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase IV, or DPP IV, is able to break down and inactivate the exorphin peptide casomorphin, from dairy. However, for maximal protein breakdown, DPP IV is not useful alone, and should be combined with other proteases with different and less stringent peptide bond specificity.
For this reason, AFP Peptizyde contains two other fungal-derived proteases with high activity in acid conditions. These enzymes are present in AFP Peptizyde in high amounts for the purpose of quickly hydrolyzing (breaking down) proteins while the food is still in the stomach.
The ability of AFP Peptizyde enzymes to withstand the low pH of the stomach and remain active under acidic conditions allows breakdown of casein and gluten prior to entrance into the small intestine. Casein and gluten, in the presence of pancreatic enzymes in the small intestine, can produce exorphin peptides that may be readily absorbed from the intestine (these peptides are not absorbed from the stomach).
AFP Peptizyde supplements the "normal" breakdown of casein, gluten, and other food proteins such that the exorphin peptides are not produced because the specific cleavage pattern to produce these peptides is altered.
AFP Peptizyde also contains only those enzymes needed for protein hydrolysis. No other enzymes have been added. This allows you to customize enzyme supplementation to your specific needs.
Another advantage to this approach is that less potential exists for intolerance reactions due to additional and perhaps unnecessary enzyme proteins. Also, by using only three enzyme blends in AFP Peptizyde, larger amounts of each enzyme can be added per capsule. This ensures that more hydrolysis of food protein can take place in the short time that food is in the stomach.
AFP Peptizyde is also different from other companies' products in that it has allowed many families to safely modify or even abandon the gluten-free, casein-free (GFCF) diet, thus allowing families more choice in foods available, better nutrition (by re-incorporating important protein sources back into the family diet), and much less stress and worry from fear of food reactions.
Appetite may increase as well as showing more interest in other types of foods. AFP Peptizyde may allow for re-introduction of dairy and wheat products to the diet without abnormal behaviors occurring. Benefits from AFP Peptizyde do vary with each individual and may be affected by other supplements and diet. Other supplements, especially vitamin and minerals, may be decreased in amount or frequency of dosing as more nutrition is derived from diet with enzymes.
AFP Peptizyde is recommended for high protein diets and athletic training; and dosing may be increased for those meals that are higher in meat protein.
Using AFP Peptizyde™ as an Alternative to the GFCF Diet
The procedure recommended by most parents who have successfully abandoned the GFCF diet (gluten free, casein free) using AFP Peptizyde is to use the enzymes while maintaining the diet for a period of at least 2 months. When challenging with foods known to be a problem, use small portions initially with 1 or 2 capsules of AFP Peptizyde. The intention is to provide more than enough AFP Peptizyde to counter the effects of casein/gluten.
If the challenge was successful, increasing the amount of food given may be attempted, keeping in mind that more AFP Peptizyde may be necessary to counter the increased size of the food challenge. For occasional use, up to 4 capsules may be given for infractions, any more than that will probably not provide any additional benefit.
Contraindications for Enzyme Supplementation
These enzymes should be used with care in cases of active stomach or duodenal ulcers, severe bowel inflammation (characterized by blood in stools), hemophilia and other bleeding disorders, or within a week of scheduled surgery. This product may not be appropriate for those with known allergies to Aspergillus enzyme proteins, though non-specific mold allergies do not necessarily preclude use of fungal enzymes. Consult your medical doctor for further advice, and err on the side of caution. Those with known anaphylactic allergic reactions to fungal proteins should NOT ingest fungal-derived enzymes.
Peptizyde® is a trademark of Houston Nutraceuticals, Inc.
Frequently Asked Questions
If the capsule is opened and contents put on food or in drink, will the proteases hurt the mouth or throat?
The proteases should not be harmful if taken without the capsule. Some irritation may occur if the enzyme remains on the cheeks or gums due to a debriding action on the layer of dead skin cells. We recommend drinking or eating after taking the enzymes to clear the mouth of the enzymes, or brushing teeth, gargling, etc.
Will AFP-Peptizyde help those with celiac disease?
We make no claims for enzymes helping any disease condition. Celiac disease is very serious and those with the disease should stay on the doctor-advised gluten-free diet. Taking the enzymes while maintaining a gluten-free diet should do no harm.
Do I need to be on the GFCF diet for AFP-Peptizyde to work?
No, AFP-Peptizyde will work regardless whether one is on the GFCF diet. Many use it as an alternative to the GFCF diet with very good results.
