Proteolytic Enzyme Support
Bromelain is a protein-digesting enzyme that is naturally present in pineapple sap and in the pineapple stem. Much smaller amounts are found in the fruit. Bromelain is classified as a proteolytic enzyme because of its ability to digest proteins.
Its metabolic function, however, extends beyond its conventional protein digesting properties in the gastrointestinal tract. Bromelain also affects the pathways occurring in the blood, muscles, joints and other connective tissues.
Bromelain has a long history of use in fold medicine traditions of the Pacific Rim. The mixture of compounds (protease, peroxidase and phosparase protease inhibitors to organically bound calcium) extracted from the stem of the pineapple (Ananas comosus) has been used in herbal healing dating back to the 17th century to address different ailments and complaints.
Aiding Digestion and Assimilation
Bromelain, because of its tolerance of both acid and alkaline conditions (pH range 3-8), is active in the relatively acid (low pH) environment of the stomach as well as in the relatively alkaline environment of the small intestines. This means that the extract can be taken at the beginning or the end of a mean and yet remain effective as an aid to digesting proteins' or be absorbed for other metabolic functions when taken on an empty stomach.
Its wide range of pH tolerance is also important for bromelain's use by the elderly. As we age, our ability to secrete hydrochloric acid in the stomach declines. Therefore, much of the digestive activity that would take place under acid conditions in the stomach tends to continue in the alkaline conditions of the small intestines.
Protein digestion is impaired due to this factor. Because bromelain is active under both acid and alkaline conditions, it is superbly suited for helping older individuals digest protein-based foods.
Bromelain offers at least two further and somewhat unusual benefits. First, it helps reduce the entry of allergens into the system from the digestive tract. Most allergens are proteins, as can be surmised from the widespread allergies to milk and egg proteins.
If large protein molecules are inadequately digested, they may pass into the bloodstream and heighten allergic responses in general. Thus, bromelain's powerful proteolytic actions, by improving the digestion of proteins, can help remove some common sources of hyper-sensitivity. Second, bromelain appears to enhance the assimilation of many nutrients. These include glucosamine, sulfur and biofavonoids.
Reducing Sources of Inflammations and Platelet Aggregation
Bromelain may exert a beneficial effect upon inflammation by stimulating the production of "active peptides", which increase levels of anti-inflammatory prostaglandins (PGs). This is an indirect effect such as can be produced nutritionally by altering t he balance of certain substrates of "building blocks" for compounds produced by the body.
One problem with modern diets is that these are overly rich in omega-6 fatty acids, such as those found in corn and many other seed oils. The omega-6 fatty acids, when taken in excess or used by those who are insulin resistant, can increase the body's production or inflammation-producing compounds that are the members of certain classes of prostaglandins and eicosanoids. A nutritional imbalance can thus lead to the over-production by the body of substances which promote inflammation, fluid retention, pain and so forth.
Bromelain can help to re-establish balance by promoting production of anti-inflammatory prostaglandins, eicosanoids and related or associated compounds. In these actions, bromelain is complemented by nutritional support such as that provided by supplemental omega-3 fatty acids derived from fish oils and flax seed.
Sparing the Body's Own Proteolytic Enzymes
Several recent books argue that the body has an enzyme "bank account" which can be overdrawn, as it were, when the wrong foods are eaten or the wrong dietary practices are followed. Edward Howell in Enzyme Nutrition: The Food Enzyme Concept, stresses that foods can be used to supplement aspects of the body's own enzyme production. Anthony J. Cichoke, author of Enzymes & Enzymes Therapy and The Complete Book of Enzymes Therapy, makes quite specific recommendations in this regard and supplies citations to the scientific data that support these uses. Source: Jarrow Formulas
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Scientific References
Barbarino, l et. al. : The influences of bromelain on digestion and absorption in control animals and in methotrexate-induced "cytostatic" enteropathy. J Nuci Med All Sci, 1982; 26:97-103.
Batkin, S et. al. : Modulation of pulmonary metastasis (Lewis Lung Carcinoma) by bromelain, an extract of pineapple stems (Ananas comosus). Cancer Invest., 1988a: 6:241-242
Batkin, S. et. al. : Antimetastic effect of bromelain. J Cancer Res. Clin Oncol., 1988b; 114:507-8
Body, T. : The effects of oral bromelain on tissue permeability to antibiotics and pain response to bradykinin: Double blind studies on human subjects. Clin. Med., 1966; 73:61-65.
Gerard, G: Anticancer treatment and bromelain. Aggressologie, 1972; 13:261-274.
Goldstein, N et. al. : Bromelain as a cancer preventative in hairless mice. Hawaii Medical J., 1975; 34:91-94.
Harrach, T. et. al. : Isolation and partial characterization of basic proteinases from stem bromelain. J Protein Chem. 1995; 14:41-52.
Heinecke, RM et. al. : Effect of Bromelain (Ananase) on human platelet aggregation. Experientia, 1972; 15:844-5.
Knill-Jones, RP et. al. : Comparative trial of nutrizym in chronic pancreatic insufficiency. Brit. Med. J., 1970; 4:21-24.
Klaue, P et. al. : Chemical debridement of the burn Escher in rats with bromelain combined with topical antimicrobial agents. Euro. Surg. Res., 1979; 11:353-359.
Kumakura, S et. al. : Effect of bromelain in kaolin-induced inflammation in rats. European J. Pharm., 1988; 150:295-301.
Levenson, SM et al. : Chemical debridement of burns. Annals Surg., 1974; 180:670-704.
Masson, M: Bromelain in blunt injuries of the locomotor system. A study if observed applications in general practice. Fortschritte der Medizin, 1995; 22:303-306.
Miller, JM et. al. : The administration of bromelain orally in the treatment of inflammation and edema. Exp. Med. Surg., 1964; 22:293-299.
Opher, AW and Miller: The enzymatic properties of bromelain. Exp. Med. Surg. 1964; 22:281-292.
Tassman, GC et. al. :Evaluation of a plant proteolytic enzyme for the control of inflammation and pain. J Dental Med. 1964; 19:73-77.
Taussig, SJ et. al. : Bromelain: A proteolytic enzyme and its clinical application. A review. Hiroshima J. Med. Sci. 1975; 24:185-93.
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