Bromelain

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Latest Edit: Hector 2014-03-17 (EDT)

See Also Food Supplements

Bromelain is a mixture of proteolytic enzymes derived from pineapple. It has anti-inflammatory and fibrinolytic activity that is beneficial for patients with various types of conditions including rheumatoid arthritis and ulcerative colitis.[1]

Food Sources

Article Bromelain, Pineapple Extract and Modern Immunomodulator, NDNR 2011 March

The active form of bromelain is found in the stem, fruit and juice of pineapples. The four different types of pineapple, including sugar loaf, Cayenne, red Spanish and gold, all contain bromelain. Eating pineapple or drinking the juice from pineapple provides a healthy dose of bromelain, plus the added nutrients calcium, iron and vitamin C.

Uses

Bromelain may be effective in the treatment of a number of different conditions:[1]

Prescribing considerations

  • The preferred way of taking bromelain is in fresh form, either by eating pineapple or drinking the juice. Bromelain is also available in capsule form.
  • Bromelain is often part of digestive enzymes.

Safety

Bromelain is generally considered safe.

  • Drug Interactions
  • Bromelain improves efficacy of certain chemotherapeutics including 5-fluorouracil and vincristine. It may potentiate bleeding when used with anticoagulants, and increase plasma and urine levels of tetracycline.[2]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Gaby AR (2011) Nutritional Medicine. Fritz Perlberg Publishing.
  2. Brinker F (2001) Herbal Contraindications and Drug Interactions: Plus Herbal Adjuncts With Medicines, 4th Edition].