Review: Labrada Sorenzyme Enzyme Recovery Product
"Sorenzyme™ is the collaborative effort of Labrada's Research & Development team and Dr. Mark J. Tallon, a Nutritional Biochemist who is also one of the industry's leading minds in nutrient metabolism. Combining two proven systems in immune and inflammatory control resulted in a supplement that was safe, effective, all natural, and the first of its kind in the sports nutrition market to control D.O.M.S. (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness) and deliver body-transforming results."
Sorenzyme is one of three recovery products produced by Labrada Nutrition. It's a blend containing 8 different enzymes, which work systemically to reduce post-exercise muscle soreness, inflammation and elevated cortisol levels.
If you're used to thinking of enzymes as digestive aids, this may come as a bit of a surprise... Especially since there's some overlap between the ingredients in Sorenzyme, and those in a typical digestive blend. You can see the similarity, just by glancing at the label.
Amount Per Serving
Protease (500,000 HUT/g) 867mg
Trypsin (1:150 Min 150 USP/mg) 20mg
Bromelain (3300 GDU/g) 45mg
Lysozyme Chloride (22,800 U/mg) 27mg
Chymotrypsin (1000 U/mg) 5mg
Papain (50,000 USP/mg) 133mg
Amylase (100,000 SKB/mg) 27mg
Lipase (50,000 FIP/g) 27mg
Beta-Sitosterol (60/100 Min) 20mg
Beta-Sitosterol Glucoside 1200mcg
Piper Nigrum (95% Piperine) 5mg
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How can digestive enzymes help with inflammation and post-exercise recovery? After all, enzymes ARE proteins—and proteins need to be broken down into peptides/amino acids before they can be absorbed from the intestinal lumen. Needless to state, an enzyme that's been broken down, no longer functions as an enzyme.
Under the right circumstances, however, some intact proteins can get through. For example, one experiment demonstrated the presence of undegraded bromelain—a proteolytic (i.e., protein-digesting) enzyme from pineapple—in the plasma of volunteers given enteric-coated tablets an hour before each meal. This is significant, as bromelain (as well as other oral proteolytic enzyme products like serrapeptase and Phlogenzym) has been used successfully to accelerate wound healing and reduce inflammation.
As implied above, the trick is in the timing. Taken with food, proteolytic enzymes will assist with digestion...and eventually BE digested, themselves. In addition, food proteins/peptides will compete with any surviving enzymes for absorption. Taken on an empty stomach, however, there's little to trigger the release of endogenous digestive enzymes. In addition, they can pass more quickly through the GI tract, and face little competition for uptake.
Research on the use of enzymes for post-workout soreness is limited, but intriguing. Two studies highlighted potential benefits. The first study (at Elon University) demonstrated that supplementation with a protease blend improved contractile recovery and reduced soreness after a session of downhill running.
The second—performed at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln—found that protease supplementation (342mg of protease 6.0 and 340mg of protease 4.5 from Aspergillus oryzae), reduced strength loss and improved short-term strength recovery following eccentric exercise.
What about Sorenzyme itself?
Unfortunately, there's no published research on it—not even an "in-house" study.
The formula, however, was designed in collaboration with noted nutritional biochemist and consultant Dr. Mark Tallon; and based on the one used in the Elon University study...Thus, it's not entirely out there in left field.
The only way to know for sure, though, was to try it myself...
I started taking Sorenzyme several days before beginning a new leg routine. I figured this would be a good test, as I know my body—and how it responds to a new leg workout—quite well. I'm ALWAYS
in for a solid three days worth of sore quads, hams and glutes.
The results? I still got sore (as expected), but it seemed to take a little longer to kick in...and when it did, it wasn't as intense as usual. It also faded away within 2 days, vs. the usual 3.
I have to admit, I was favorably impressed...While I've learned to live with occasional DOMS, it was nice to have less to deal with.
Whether the formula is optimal or not, is—of course—a guess. There are other (reputedly effective) enzyme preparations on the market for general health/wellness/healing that don't contain lipase (fat-digesting enzyme), amylase (starch-digesting enzyme) or lysozyme (anti-microbial enzyme)...let alone beta-sitosterol (which appears to be significantly underdosed). It's tough to determine what —if any—contribution these ingredients make to the overall effects.
Nonetheless, this is a minor criticism...the bottom line is that Sorenzyme worked fairly well for me. I'm continuing to take it, as I'm also intrigued with other potential uses for proteolytic enzymes, which have been noted in various reviews.
While not a miracle cure, Sorenzyme appears to be a useful, reasonably cost-effective product that's worth a look, for anyone looking to mitigate post-workout soreness and accelerate recovery.
You can order Sorenzyme directly from BodyBuilding.com,
our recommended online retailer
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