The Health Benefits of Bromelain

Bromelain is an enzyme extracted from pineapples. It’s often used as a digestive aid to improve the breakdown of protein (and also as a meat tenderizer).

Pineapples have had a long history of use in traditional medicine, leading to the modern investigation of bromelain as a potential treatment for a number of conditions.

Life Extensionists Durk Pearson and Sandy Shaw wrote about bromelain in the early 1980s. They suggested that bromelain’s ability to break down protein might be the reason for the beautiful skin observed among the Polynesians.

Indeed, one of bromelain’s medical uses is in the treatment of burns.

Bromelain May Prevent Heart Disease

 While no actual study shows that bromelain prevents heart disease in humans, the authors of a review published in 2011 observed that bromelain has a cardioprotective effect and reduces the formation of blood clots — two factors which could ultimately help reduce the risk of cardiovascular events.¹

In a study involving rat hearts that were subjected to ischemia (reduced blood flow), bromelain given prior to the event resulted in a better recovery compared to controls.²

Bromelain Eases Inflammation

One of the best known uses for bromelain is that of an anti-inflammatory agent. In a study of tissue removed from the colons of inflammatory bowel disease patients, bromelain was shown to reduce the production of inflammatory compounds.³

The authors concluded that bromelain inhibited inflammation.

Bromelain’s anti-inflammatory benefit makes it a natural choice for the treatment of arthritis. The authors of a review published in Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine remarked that bromelain may be a safer treatment rather than current standard therapies.⁴

In a clinical trial, a preparation containing bromelain was found to reduce pain, stiffness, and improve physical function in patients suffering from arthritis of the hip.⁵
The following foods made the dirty dozen list in 2015: Apples, strawberries, grapes, celery, peaches, spinach, sweet bell peppers, nectarines, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, imported snap peas, and potatoes. Note that the “dirtiest” of all produce is potatoes.²

Similarly, the Environmental Working Group has a list of clean foods, which have little pesticide residue. These foods can be eaten conventionally: Avocados, sweet corn, pineapples, cabbage, frozen sweet peas, onions, asparagus, mangoes, papayas, kiwis, eggplant, grapefruit, cantaloupe, cauliflower, and sweet potatoes.

Bromelain May Fight Cancer

Bromelain could also have an anticancer effect. When the enzyme was investigated in a group of mice that received implanted cancer cells, all of the animals (except those that received melanoma cells) that were given bromelain survived for a longer period of time compared to those receiving a chemotherapy drug.⁶ 

In another investigation involving mice, the use of bromelain delayed the onset of tumor development after the administration of a carcinogen. There was a reduction in the number of tumors developed in mice.⁷

How to Supplement with Bromelain

 Non enteric-coated bromelain is best taken for digestive issues. For all other uses, take enteric-coated bromelain on an empty stomach. It passes into the small intestine intact to release its contents into the bloodstream.

References:

1. 1. Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Xue Bao. 2011 Jul;9(7):702-10.
2. 2. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2008 Mar;294(3):H1365-70.
3. 3. Clin Immunol. 2008 Mar;126(3):345-52.
4. 4. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2004 Dec;1(3):251-257.
5. 5. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2006 Jan-Feb;24(1):25-30.
6. 6. Planta Med. 2007 Oct;73(13):1377-83.
7. 7. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2008 Jan 1;226(1):30-7.

Article extracted from Life Extension Blog ‎January 2015