If you're looking for a natural medicine to aid digestion and decrease bodily inflammation, you may want to take a look at the bromelian enzyme. The bromelian enzyme is touted as an effective natural supplement for various illnesses, although there is not much scientific data to support these claims. Therefore, you should speak with your conventional medical doctor about the benefits and risks of taking the bromelian enzyme before you take the supplement on your own to treat yourself of any disease.
Identification
The bromelian enzyme naturally occurs in the pineapple fruit, also called Anana comosos, indigenous to South and Central America. Folk herbalists and alternative health practitioners promote the bromelian enzyme to assist in protein digestion and to reduce bodily inflammation, says Medline Plus.
Theories/Speculation
The bromelian enzyme is actually a mixture of several proteolytic, or protein-dissolving, enzymes. These enzymes may promote anti-inflammatory responses in the body by altering white blood cell function, says Arthur Schoenstadt, M.D., and Kristi Monson, Pharm.D., on EMedTV.com, as well as break down and eliminate infected, dead or damaged tissue and blood clots within your body. Therefore, the German E Commission, the national herbal regulatory agency, approves the bromelian enzyme to treat inflammation and swelling following sinus surgery, says the University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC.
Uses
Folk herbalists and alternative health practitioners promote the bromelian enzyme for diseases and ailments such as tendonitis, arthritis, urinary tract infections, bronchitis and insect stings and bites, says the UMMC. However, there is not enough clinical evidence to support the claims that the enzyme is actually effective at treating these ailments and diseases, notes Schoenstadt and Monson on EMedTV.com.
Considerations
The bromelian enzyme can initiate its own side effects in the body, including vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, upset stomach, difficulty breathing and swelling of the throat. Bromelian can also increase the effects of prescription drugs and over-the-counter herbs that have a sedative effect on the body, such as Elavil, Xanax, Dilantin, kava, catnip and Valerian root, says the UMMC.
Warning
The bromelian enzyme can increase your risk of serious bleeding when taken with garlic, saw palmetto and ginkgo biloba, warns MedLine Plus. The bromelian enzyme can also raise the risk of serious bleeding when taken with blood-thinning medications such as Plavix, Coumadin or aspirin, warns the UMMC.
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