Protease

What Does Protease Do?

Protease is a specialized digestive enzyme responsible for breaking down dietary protein into smaller peptides and amino acids, ensuring your body can actually utilize the protein you consume. While often associated with post-workout shakes, its inclusion in pre-workouts helps manage the digestive load of pre-training meals and optimizes the uptake of intra-workout amino acids.

• Enhanced Protein Hydrolysis: It catalyzes the breakdown of complex peptide bonds, converting large protein molecules into bioavailable amino acids that are easier for the small intestine to absorb.
• Reduced Digestive Distress: By accelerating the digestive process, protease helps prevent the "heavy stomach" feeling, gas, or bloating that can occur if you hit the gym shortly after a meal.
• Improved Nutrient Partitioning: Faster protein breakdown means amino acids enter the bloodstream more efficiently, potentially supporting muscle protein synthesis triggers during and after your session.
• Systemic Recovery Support: Beyond digestion, supplemental proteases may help modulate exercise-induced inflammation, aiding in the management of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS).

Clinical vs. Gym Bro Dosing

Key Insight: While weight (mg) is the common metric on labels, the true power of protease lies in its activity units (such as HUT). However, a 25mg inclusion is generally considered the effective threshold for noticeable digestive improvement during high-intensity training.

Side Effects & Warnings

• Gastrointestinal Upset: When taken in extremely high doses on a completely empty stomach, some users may experience mild cramping or temporary nausea.
• Allergic Sensitivity: Because many proteases are derived from fungal (Aspergillus) or plant sources (like papaya or pineapple), individuals with specific food or mold allergies should check the source.
• Heartburn: In rare instances, supplemental enzymes can exacerbate symptoms of acid reflux if you are already prone to it during heavy lifting.

Tip: If you find that your pre-workout meal often sits heavy during your first few sets, a protease-containing supplement can be a game-changer for maintaining intensity without stomach issues.