Supplement Spotlight: Bromelain

Bromelain is the name given to a mixture of protein-digesting enzymes found in the pineapple plant. Although some is found in the fruit, most is in the stem. Bromelain supplements may be taken with meals to aid the digestion of protein. When taken on an empty stomach, however, it is absorbed intact into the circulation, producing an anti-inflammatory effect on other parts of the body. It reduces the production of inflammatory chemicals (cytokines) and damps down the over-active immune responses that trigger chronic inflammation.

Benefits

Arthritis:

A scientific study has shown that bromelain can reduce pain and swelling in adults with mild acute knee pain due to osteoarthritis¹. It may also reduce joint swelling due to rheumatoid arthritis.

Injuries:

Bromelain helps to reduce the pain, swelling and inflammation associated with injuries such as bruising, sprains, wounds, minor operations and burns. It is sometimes recommended before minor surgery to reduce post-operative swelling and bruising, and as a supplement to take after childbirth to boost healing.

Sinusitis:

Bromelain has a useful mucus-thinning action and helps to reduce phlegm in respiratory conditions such as sinusitis, bronchitis and asthma. A trial involving 116 children with symptoms of sinusitis found that those taking bromelain recovered one and a half days more quickly than those on placebo (6.6 days versus 8 days)².

Colitis:

Anecdotal reports and laboratory evidence suggests that bromelain may be helpful in treating ulcerative colitis³. This is thought to be because it decreases production of inflammatory chemicals produced by white blood cells involved in the disease process.

Blood clotting:

Bromelain has been used to complement the treatment of angina. It has a blood-thinning action, and may work by reducing platelet clumping⁴. In one study, people with angina who took bromelain found that their symptoms either improved or disappeared within three months.

Dose

300mg once or twice a day, depending on the severity of symptoms.
Note: If undergoing any surgery, it is important to consult your surgeon/anaesthetist before taking bromelain due to its blood-thinning action.

 

1 Walker AF et al. Phytomedicine 2002;9(8):681-6
2 Braun JM et al. In Vivo 2005;19(2):417-21
3 Onken JE et al. Clin Immunol 2008;126(3):345-52
4 Glaser D, Hilberg T. Platelets 2006;17(1):37-41

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