Tendinitis is characterized by inflammation of the tendons and ligaments. Tendons attach bone to muscle, while ligaments connect bones together. Tendinitis is a painful condition that also causes swelling and tenderness in the affected joint, and often results from a fall, an injury or repetitive movement. If you suffer tendinitis, your doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatories to reduce pain and swelling. You might also require physical therapy. The enzyme bromelain might also help to alleviate pain and inflammation, although evidence showing that it is an effective treatment for tendinitis is lacking. Talk to your doctor before using it.
Properties and Potential Benefits
Bromelain is an enzyme derived from pineapples. According to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, it has numerous applications and might play a role in the treatment of a number of conditions including cancer, burns and circulatory disorders. Bromelain has anti-inflammatory properties and works by inhibiting the secretion of inflammatory chemicals. It might also help to relieve pain.
Administration
Bromelain is administered in capsules or tablets. Pineapple juice is also a rich source of bromelain, but it is difficult to know precisely how much you would have to drink on a daily basis in order to get a therapeutic dose of this enzyme. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that taking 250 mg twice a day might help to reduce inflammation in tendinitis patients. Check with your doctor that this dose is suitable for you.
Effectiveness
Studies examining the effectiveness of bromelain as a tendinitis treatment are lacking. The results of a study published in the August 2009 issue of "Arthritis and Rheumatism" show that patients with rotator cuff tendinitis who took tablets containing bromelain experienced an improvement in symptoms. However, bromelain was combined with another proteolytic enzyme and was used alongside dietary counseling and acupuncture, so it is difficult to know whether bromelain would have the same effect if it had been used alone.
Safety Considerations
Bromelain might cause an allergic reaction in some people. Common side effects include diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Drugs.com notes that eating large quantities of pineapple fruit as a means of obtaining bromelain might discolor the skin. Do not use bromelain alongside anticoagulants, as it might heighten their effect. Also avoid bromelain if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
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