Ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease, that according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, affects half a million people in the United States. Ulcerative colitis is characterized by inflammation and ulceration of the inner layers of the large intestine and rectum, causing diarrhea, abdominal pain and weight loss. There is no cure for this condition, but medicines including anti-inflammatories and immune system suppressors help keep symptoms at bay. An enzyme known as bromelain might also help reduce inflammation, although evidence to show it is an effective treatment for ulcerative colitis is limited. Get medical advice before using it.
Properties and Potential Benefits
Bromelain is an enzyme found in pineapples. It is an example of a proteolytic enzyme, that is, it helps break down protein. The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center notes that it has anti-inflammatory effects and is sometimes used as an alternative remedy for a number of ailments including arthritis, cancer, circulatory disorders and burns. The results of an in vitro study published in the March 2008 issue of "Clinical Immunology" found that bromelain also hinders the production of inflammatory chemicals in a biopsy of colon tissue taken from patients with ulcerative colitis.
Sources and Administration
Pineapples are a rich source of bromelain, but for convenience, it is also available as a dietary supplement. Since bromelain is not a proven treatment for ulcerative colitis, guidance regarding a dose that might help alleviate symptoms is lacking. In addition, Mississippi Baptist Health Systems notes that recommended dosages of bromelain varies widely according to the form used and advises following the label instructions.
Scientific Evidence
Clinical trials evaluating the effect of bromelain on ulcerative colitis are lacking, so it is not possible to say whether it is an effective treatment. However, the results of an animal-based study, published in the December 2010 issue of "Inflammatory Bowel Diseases" show that long-term dietary supplementation with bromelain-containing pineapple juice, reduces the severity of inflammation in the colon of mice with colitis. Clinical studies are needed to determine whether it has the same effect in humans.
Safety Considerations
Mississippi Baptist Health Systems states that bromelain is non-toxic but may cause mild gastrointestinal upset. It might also cause an allergic reaction in some people. It might also have anticoagulant effects so don't use bromelain if you have a bleeding disorder or alongside anticoagulant drugs such as warfarin and aspirin unless your doctor directs you to. It might also heighten the effects of medicines that have a sedating effect. Don't take bromelain supplements if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Ulcerative Colitis
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Bromelain
- "Clinical Immunology"; Bromelain Treatment Decreases Secretion of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines and Chemokines by Colon Biopsies in Vitro; J.E.Onken, et al.; March 2008
- Mississippi Baptist Health Systems: Bromelain
- "Inflammatory Bowel Diseases"; Dietary Supplementation With Fresh Pineapple Juice Decreases Inflammation and Colonic Neoplasia in IL-10-Deficient Mice With Colitis; L.P. Hale, et al.; December 2010
