Nicknamed the rich man's disease, gout once was strictly associated with people of means who consumed heavy foods and alcohol to excess. Gout has a number of risk factors, however, and affects people of all economic backgrounds. Although traditional treatment of the condition aims to prevent recurrence and complications with prescribed medications and lifestyle changes, enzymes contained in the pineapple plant may also offer therapeutic benefits. Because the need for further scientific evidence exists to confirm pineapple's efficacy, consult your doctor rather than self-treat.
Gout
Gout, a form of arthritis, occurs when the waste product uric acid accumulates and forms needle-sharp crystals in areas of your body marked by poor blood circulation. As these sharp crystals accumulate near your joints, the surrounding tissue becomes inflamed and irritates nerve endings. This results in intense pain, redness and swelling. Gout commonly strikes the legs and feet, especially the big toe, but it can affect any joint in your body. Although the cause of gout remains unknown, Dr. James E. Balch, author of the book "Prescription for Natural Cures," cautions that anything that upsets uric acid balance, such as obesity, stress, lead toxicity, infections, high blood pressure and alcohol abuse, may work as risk factors. Unless treated, gout attacks typically recur.
About Pineapple
Indigenous to South America, the pineapple plant reaches heights of 3 feet and has a sturdy stem, lance-shaped leaves and succulent, fleshy yellow fruit. Some varieties of pineapple fruit can grow up to 12 inches long and weigh 10 lbs. While pineapple is enjoyed as a food for its juicy sweetness, it also has a reputation as an herbal medicine. Pineapple's stem and fruit contain bromelain, a protein-digesting enzyme that accounts for the plant's medicinal powers.
Pineapple Benefits
In 1957, Ralph M. Heinicke, a chemist for Dole Pineapple Company in Hawaii, found high levels of bromelain in pineapple stems. According to Steven Foster, author of the book "National Geographic Desk Reference to Nature's Medicine," Dole instructed Heinicke to find medicinal uses for the enzyme. Heinicke and subsequent studies found that bromelain exerts anti-inflammatory properties useful in easing strain-induced gout -- a form of gout in which uric acid crystals accumulate in a joint that becomes inflamed by normal use or strain. Bromelain appears to stimulate the decomposition of the uric acid crystals, thus alleviating pain associated with gout. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, however, unlike pineapple stems, pineapple fruit does not contain enough bromelain enzyme to offer any demonstrable medicinal effects.
Cautions and Consideration
Generally recognized as safe, excessive amounts of pineapple may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and severe menstrual cramps. Due to low levels of bromelain in the fruit of the pineapple and bromelain's poor absorption rate by the body when used in pure form, Phyllis A. Balch suggests taking 250 to 500 mg of bromelain tablets three times daily, between meals for cases of gout.
References
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculosketetal and Skin Disorders: Gout
- "Prescription for Natural Cures"; James F. Balch, M.D., et al.; 2004
- "Prescription for Herbal Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch; 2002
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Bromelain
