Bromelain and quercetin are two antioxidant-containing bioflavonoids found naturally in certain foods and available in supplemental form for therapeutic purposes. According to the website Best Gout Remedies, quercetin has been studied extensively, and it is frequently used for the treatment of numerous inflammatory disorders, including gout. Phyllis Balch says in her book "Prescription for Nutritional Healing" that quercetin is more easily absorbed and has a greater therapeutic effect on the body when it is combined with bromelain, therefore a supplement that contains both these substances may prove especially beneficial for gout sufferers. Talk to your doctor before taking supplements to treat gout.
Quercetin and Gout
Best Gout Remedies reports that experiments have shown that quercetin not only acts as an anti-inflammatory agent in the body, but it also both inhibits the production of and enhances the excretion of uric acid in the body. This is important because gout is caused by an overload of uric acid. In fact, Dr. Stephen Coles says in an article on the website Natural Medicine Online, that studies have shown that quercetin may be equally as effective as the prescription drug allopurinol at both preventing the production of uric acid and inhibiting the release of inflammatory compounds that cause gout.
Histamine and Gout
There may be a link between gout flare-ups and increased histamine levels, so quercetin may also be beneficial for gout due to its antihistamine properties. Penny Kendall-Reed, N.D., says in her book "Healing Arthritis" that quercetin may be beneficial to arthritis sufferers because it acts as an antihistamine by binding to the cells that produce histamine and reducing the overall production of histamine in the body.
Sources of Quercetin
Quercetin can be found naturally in many food items, including garlic, onions, leafy greens, apples, berries, green and black tea, red wine, cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and other Brassica vegetables. For therapeutic purposes, however, a supplement may prove more beneficial and the recommended supplemental dose of quercetin is 250mg one to four times a day, notes Best Gout Remedies.
Bromelain and Gout
Kendall-Reed says that bromelain contains proteolytic enzymes that help to break down proteins into smaller units. Proteolytic enzymes work as anti-inflammatory agents in the body and are therefore beneficial for reducing the inflammation that is associated with gout. Bromelain may also increase blood flow to the inflamed area, and this can hasten and enhance healing during flare-ups, says Kendall-Reed. Finally, bromelain may block the production of kinins, which are substances that are thought to contribute to the swelling, inflammation and pain of gout.
Sources of Bromelain
Unlike quercetin, bromelain is not found in a variety of foods; it is only found in pineapples. For therapeutic purposes, a supplement may be most beneficial and Best Gout Remedies suggests taking 400mg to 500mg a day during a gout attack. Kendall-Reed also suggests taking a daily dose of 150mg to 300mg during periods without symptoms. For best results, Best Gout Remedies advises taking bromelain on an empty stomach because if you are full, then the bromelain will act as a digestive enzyme and go to work digesting your food, instead of working as an anti-inflammatory. Finally, bromelain is nontoxic, but Kendal-Reed warns it may cause loose stools and blood thinning if taken in high doses.
References
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing;" Phyllis Balch; 2003
- Best Gout Remedies: Quercetin and Bromelain Are Useful Gout Supplements
- "Healing Arthritis"; Penny Kendall-Reed, N.D.; 2004
- Chiro.org: Quercetin: A Review of Clinical Applications
