Psoriasis is the most preventable autoimmune disease in the United States, affecting about 7.5 million Americans, notes the National Psoriasis Foundation, adding that psoriasis costs patients approximately $11.25 billion each year. In an attempt to eliminate some of these costs, some psoriasis sufferers try natural psoriasis treatments, one of which is bromelain.
History
Bromelain comes from the stem and juice of pineapples. The people of Central and South America have used pineapples to treat indigestion and inflammation for centuries, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC, and bromelain was first isolated from pineapples in the late nineteenth century. Alternative medicine practitioners often recommend bromelain to treat a wide range of conditions, but primarily for reducing inflammation associated with infections and injuries.
Bromelain and Psoriasis
Psoriasis starts in the immune system with T cells that usually protect the body from infection and disease; only with psoriasis the T cells take action by mistake and set off other immune responses. Psoriasis can lead to the development of swollen and painful joints known as psoriatic arthritis in up to 30 percent of psoriasis sufferers, advises the National Arthritis Foundation. Bromelain may treat the infection response of the T cells, reduce the inflammation of arthritis or remove the plaque buildup on the skin, explains Dr. William M. Jaremko, a dermatologist in private practice in Olean, New York. He does not advocate the use of bromelain for psoriasis, however.
Dosage
Bromelain is available for purchase as a tablet, capsule or topical cream. The actual dose needed to treat psoriasis has not been established, and the UMMC notes that dosages of bromelain vary from 80 to 1,000 mg twice a day. Jaremko advises that the topical doses may help with the plaque buildup, and the oral doses may help prevent the immune system response and the inflammation.
Scientific Evidence
MedlinePlus explains that scientific evidence does not prove nor disprove the effectiveness of bromelain for psoriasis. Jaremko states that he does not know of any scientific studies that looked at the impact of bromelain specifically for psoriasis. The justification for using bromelain for psoriasis relies on the few scientific studies that show bromelain's impact on reducing inflammation and treating severe burns.
Considerations
because bromelain is considered a dietary supplement, it is not regulated by the FDA. As a result, the bromelain you purchase may or may not contain the amount written on the label, and may contain other substances not listed on the label. Speak to your doctor before taking this or any supplement. While bromelain is considered safe for most people, it may cause an allergic reaction, especially to those with allergies to latex, papaya, pineapple and kiwi fruit. Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. Bromelain can slow blood clotting and increase the effect of some antibiotics.
References
- Dr. William M. Jaremko; Dermatologist in Private Practice; Olean, NY
- National Psoriasis Foundation: About Psoriasis Statistics
- American Cancer Society: Bromelain
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Bromelain
- MedlinePlus: Bromelain
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases: Fast Facts About Psoriasis
