Papaya and Immunity

A fermented papaya preparation may help boost immunity, a new study suggests.

Researchers from Japan explained that fermented papaya preparation from yeast fermentation of Carica papaya Linn. is a natural health food that is commercially sold in their country.

Previous research revealed that fermented papaya preparation has antioxidant activity. However, the effect of fermented papaya preparation on allergic diseases remains unclear.

The study investigated whether the oral administration of fermented papaya preparation to mice restrained two types of contact hypersensitivity models.

The study authors found that the oral administration of the fermented papaya preparation may have a therapeutic potential for the prevention of contact hypersensitive immuno-response.

Immune system disorders occur when the body's immune system does not function properly. The immune system is a complex network of cells, proteins, tissues and organs that work together to fight off harmful substances and disease-causing microorganisms called pathogens. A healthy immune system helps protect the body from disease and infection.

An immune system disorder can be classified as either an autoimmune disorder or an immune deficiency.

Autoimmune disorders occur when the immune system mistakes body cells for harmful invaders, such as bacteria, and attacks them. Autoimmune disorders can destroy body tissues, cause abnormal organ growth and/or impair organ function.

Immune deficiencies occur when an individual's ability to fight against an infectious disease is compromised or entirely absent. Patients who suffer from immune deficiencies experience recurrent infections, such as sinusitis and pneumonia. There are two main types of immune deficiencies: primary immune deficiencies and secondary immune deficiencies.

Primary immune deficiencies are disorders that occur because part of the body's immune system does not function properly. These disorders are caused by intrinsic or genetic defects in the immune system. Some primary immune deficiencies are inherited, which means they are passed down through family members. Individuals who have primary immune deficiencies are born with the disorders.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified nearly 100 primary immune deficiency diseases, including X-linked agammaglobulinemia (Bruton's Disease), common variable immune deficiency (CVID) and selective immunoglobulin A deficiency.

Secondary immune deficiencies are caused by factors outside of the body, such as chemotherapy treatment, radiation therapy, malnutrition, HIV infection and diabetes. In addition, diseases, such as leukemia and multiple myeloma, cause cancerous immune cells to infiltrate the bone marrow, which is responsible for producing immune system cells. Secondary immune deficiency also occurs among critically ill patients and the elderly.

Secondary immune deficiencies usually resolve once the underlying illness is treated or the outside factor is eliminated. For instance, immune deficiencies caused by chemotherapy or radiation therapy generally resolve once treatment is completed.

Papain is an enzyme found in papaya (Carica papaya) fruit latex. In standard western medical care, papain-containing debridement agents are commonly used to remove necrotic tissue and slough in burns, postoperative wounds, pilonidal cyst wounds, carbuncles, trauma wounds, infected wounds and chronic lesions, such as pressure ulcers, varicose veins and diabetic ulcers.

Papain is also used in some traditional medicine for wound healing, specifically in Africa for burn debridement and healing stimulation. A few clinical studies seem to support this use. In addition, there is some interest in the use of other papain-like enzymes for osteoporosis, arthritis, vascular diseases and cancer. However, there is currently little available research indicating that papain itself would be useful for these conditions.

For more information on papaya or immunity, please visit Natural Standard's Foods, Herbs & Supplements and Medical Conditions databases.

Comments

[mo]

I’m a big fan of papaya and have never felt it’s gotten its due attention, as a fruit or medicine. Papain is an enzyme that breaks protein bonds and has been used in Africa to treat burns. In standard western medical care, papain-containing debridement agents are commonly used to remove dead tissue and slough in burns, postoperative wounds, pilonidal cyst wounds, carbuncles, trauma wounds, infected wounds and chronic lesions, such as pressure ulcers, varicose and diabetic ulcers. According to two review articles and two clinical trials, papain may be very useful for wound debridement and stimulating healing. Hopefully, research in the future will further clarify the role of papain in wound healing and its many other purported uses. In the meanwhile, fresh papaya is really delicious with a squirt of lemon juice!

[Leah Cohen]

I was recently on a trip in Central America, and papaya, including green papaya, was used in the local cuisine. One of my tour guides actually mentioned that it is used in several meat dishes, in addition to being served fresh in a salad.

There is a new study from Malaysia, which may shed some light on differences that may exist between ripe v.s green payapa: "Effect of green and ripe Carica papaya epicarp extracts on wound healing and during pregnancy." (Anuar, 2008)

[Tori]

Does fresh papaya also have positive effects on the immune response? Drinking fermented papaya sounds kind of gross to me.

Also, is papain available in supplement form? I've heard of Wobenzym®, but this is a combination supplement that also contains pancreatin, bromelain, trypsin and chymotrypsin.

[Nora]

Personally, I'm a big fan of cranberry juice. I'm not sure how much research has been done on its immunostimulant effects, but based on my personal experience, I think it works wonders. I drink lots of cranberry juice if I'm worried about getting sick, and I literally only get about one cold a year.

[Julie]

To answer Tori's questions, I think you can get similar benefit from eating the fruit. However, obviously the fruit is going to have more carbs and calories, and you would get more benefit from a concentrated form. That said, there is a pure papain supplement. You can read about it by clicking on this link:

http://www.vitamins-supplements.org/digestive-enzymes/papain.php. Hope that helps!!!

[mo]

Does it matter what type of papaya is used? I know of two types, the sweet one and the non-sweet one that is used to make green papaya salad in Thai food.

I question Julie’s comment that eating the fruit carries calories and that consuming the concentrated form is inherently better. One of the problems with a lot of nutrition research, especially in the field of dietary supplements, is the lack of clarity when it comes to causative agents. Does the beta-carotene in carrots have the same effect as the beta-carotene in the pill? Is there something else in the carrot that works with the beta-carotene, allowing it to have a certain effect that can’t be reproduced in a supplement?

Regarding the fermented papaya product, might there be something that occurs during the fermentation process that changes the synergy of papain with other substances in the food? Might that chemical change have other effects on the body?

[Leah Cohen]

Interesting that you mention the role of fermentation in the effects of this papaya treatment. Actually, fermentation techniques are used in many different cultures as a means to render various constituents in plants more bioavailable. For instance, fermented soy is more easily digestible and may have more increased effects, because fermentation allows for better absorption of isoflavones in soy.

I know that there are many other examples of use of fermentation to enhance bioavailability.

[Czes Kulvis]

Where s it possible to get fermented papaya?

I manage to stay on on a MS remission using some natural supplements and dietary intervention.

[SJ]

There seems to be a lot of tropical fruits that are being used in some form or another to promote good health. I don’t know if they use papaya in their formulas. The only one I can think of right now is mangosteen, which is not related to the papaya, but is also a tropical fruit. Has anyone tried any of these drinks? Did you get results?