Bromelain, a chemical derived from pineapples, has long been used as a meat tenderizer. It also has a long history of use by naturopaths and other providers of alternative health care for treatment of a variety of disorders. The use of bromelain as an anti-inflammatory agent appears to have some merit.
About Bromelain
Bromelain is what is known as a proteolytic enzyme. The term proteolytic means that it digests, or breaks down, protein. Since meat is largely protein, it is partially digested when bromelain is applied to it. That's why bromelain is a common ingredient in meat tenderizers. This proteolytic property also makes bromelain a good digestive aid for people who have difficulty digesting protein. In fact, digestive enzymes, including bromelain, are frequently prescribed medically for people who lack sufficient pancreatic enzymes to digest their food.
Anti-inflammatory Applications
Under the right circumstances, ingested bromelain can be absorbed into the bloodstream without itself being digested. This active form of the enzyme is then capable of interacting with other substances throughout the body. By various mechanisms, the bromelain molecules are believed to go to work at sites of trauma or inflammation such that swelling, pain and stiffness may be partially mitigated.
Research
A 2006 study published in the journal "Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology" compared the effects of bromelain to an established prescription anti-inflammatory medication on the treatment of painful hip arthritis. The subjects taking the bromelain had improvements in pain, stiffness and function that were equal to those taking the anti-inflammatory drug. Czechoslovakian researchers found that trauma surgery patients who took bromelain after surgery experienced more rapid reductions in swelling and better pain control than those who did not take the enzymes. A study published in 2009 in the journal "Arthritis and Rheumatism" demonstrated superior outcomes for a regimen that included oral bromelain when compared to more traditional therapy for treatment of rotator cuff tendinitis among postal workers.
Typical Use Protocols
For treatment of injury-related inflammation, the University of Maryland Medical Center advises taking 500 mg of bromelain four times a day on an empty stomach. For arthritic conditions, suggested dosing is 500 to 2,000 mg per day in two divided doses. If taken with food, the active properties of the enzymes will be exhausted in breaking down the contents of the stomach. When taken on an empty stomach, more of the active enzymes enter the bloodstream, where they have a better opportunity to be carried to the site of inflammation. Do not take bromelain if you are allergic to pineapples or have a bleeding disorder, hypertension or liver or kidney disease. If you are taking antibiotics, blood thinners or sedative medications, take bromelain only under your physician's supervision. Bromelain is not recommended for use by pregnant women or children.
References
- "Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology"; Efficacy and Tolerance of an Oral Enzyme Combination in Painful Osteoarthritis of the Hip. A Double-Blind, Randomised Study Comparing Oral Enzymes with Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs; G. Klein, W. Kullich, J. Schnitker and H. Schwann; January-February 2006
- "Acta Chirurgiae Orthopaedicae et Traumatologiae Cechoslovaca"; Systemic Enzyme Therapy in the Treatment and Prevention of Post-Traumatic and Postoperative Swelling; V. Kamenicek, P. Holan and P. Franek; 2001
- "Arthritis and Rheumatism"; Naturopathic Treatment of Rotator Cuff Tendinitis; O. Szczurko, K. Cooley, E. Mills, et al.; August 2009
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Bromelain
