Bromelain belongs to a family of enzymes that contain sulfur. These enzymes are native to the pineapple plant and found near the core of the fruit. The diverse effects of bromelain are also attributed to its anti-inflammatory activity. Bromelain is therapeutic between 750 and 1,000mg, divided into four daily doses. According to the Alternative Medicine Review, in doses over 1,000mg daily, bromelain in combination with chemotherapy exhibits some anti-tumor activity. Bromelain can also inhibit blood clotting, so people prescribed blood thinners should exercise caution.
Edema
The 2001 Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences journal notes that bromelain promotes the reabsorption of fluid into the blood circulation. This action is complemented by its ability to break down fibrin, a blood-clotting protein. This is an important finding for therapeutic use of bromelain in conditions of edema. Bromelain is noted to prevent edema and significantly reduce active edema by 50 percent when taken orally. The 2001 article notes that the effects are maintained for up to 12 hours after the administration of the bromelain supplement.
Enhances Antibiotics
The Alternative Medicine Review monograph states that in several foreign countries, bromelain is used as a complementary therapy to potentiate the action of antibiotics. The 2001 article explains that bromelain increases the amount of antibiotics that are absorbed into the tissues after oral administration. The Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences article specified that bromelain was used with penicillins and tetracycline antibiotics, and while higher levels were found in the tissues and blood, overall side effects were reduced. The bromelain antibiotic combinations were used for a variety of bacterial infections.
Blood Thinning and Bruises
According to the 2001 article, bromelain has been shown to significantly decrease the formation of blood clots in abdominal arteries by 11 percent and in veins, by 6 percent. Its action as a blood thinner echoes its effect in treating edema. The Alternative Medicine Review supports these findings by noting the use of 120 to 400mg of bromelain with potassium and magnesium orotate to reduce the incidence of coronary artery occlusion and bromelain with analgesics to decrease the symptoms associated with inflammation and clotting of the deep leg veins, also known as thrombophlebitis. Its ability to digest blood clots is useful in treating soft tissue injuries, as they are commonly associated with the production of bruises and hematomas. Musculoskeletal injuries are associated with the indicators of inflammation, including edema, heat, redness and pain. The 1998 article states that pre-surgical administration of bromelain reduces the average days for complete disappearance of pain and inflammation.
Burns
Healing from third-degree burns is imminently reliant on the rapid removal of the burned and denatured skin. Topical application of an oil based, 35 percent bromelain cream was able to achieve complete removal of burned tissue within two days, compared 10 days using a different substance. Evidence of this activity was noted by both the 1998 and 2001 review articles.
Digestion
When bromelain is taken with or immediately after food, all of the systemic actions described above become diverted to the intestinal tract and the digestion of any protein-containing foods consumed. The acid in the stomach activates many naturally-produced proteolytic enzymes. The pancreas is also responsible for producing similar protein-digesting enzymes. The 1998 Alternative Medicine Review journal article states that after a pancreatectomy or in cases of low pancreatic functioning and similar digestive disorders, bromelain as a digestive aid has been used successfully.
www.livestrong.com
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