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Bromelain is a mixture of enzymes that digest proteins and is found in the stem and juice of pineapple (Ananas comosus), a tropical fruit native to South America. For centuries, native peoples used pineapple to treat a variety of ailments, from sore throats to inflammation, digestive problems, and seasickness. In the late 1800s, bromelain was first isolated from the pineapple plant, and subsequently scientists identified it as the ingredient likely responsible for these and other health benefits, including an ability to relieve a condition called Peyronie’s disease.
Bromelain and Peyronie’s Disease
More than 1 percent of men ages 45 to 60 have Peyronie’s disease, a condition in which a lump or accumulation of plaque causes a severe curve in the erect penis. The bend or curve in the penis is believed to occur because the enzymes available in the body to breakdown such abnormal tissue tend to decline with age, and in a small percentage of men this lack of enzymes can lead to Peyronie’s disease. Peyronies disease can also be one of the side effects of treatments for prostate cancer.
Currently there is no cure for Peyronie’s disease, a condition that can cause immense pain during erection and thus make sexual activity impossible. The three types of surgical procedures available to treat Peyronie’s disease have varying success rates and can increase the risk of a man experiencing erectile dysfunction or additional deformity, bend or curve in the penis.
Therefore the possibility of bromelain being helpful in the management of Peyronie’s disease is compelling. Bromelain may be a natural remedy for Peyronie’s disease because of its ability to stimulate collagenase, an enzyme that breaks down collagen, which is a main component in scar tissue involved in Peyronie’s disease. Bromelain helps by dissolving the peptide bonds that allow the proteins to stay together. Although no studies have shown bromelain to be an effective way to treat Peyronie’s disease, at least one study has suggested relief is possible because bromelain promoted secretion of collagenase in an animal study. (Werb) Given the lack of effective nonsurgical ways to manage Peyronie’s disease, bromelain is worth trying because of its protein-digesting abilities and the possibility it may slow or reverse the accumulation of materials that cause Peyronie’s disease.
Other Health Benefits of Bromelain
If you are looking for a natural anti-inflammatory agent, bromelain may fit the bill. Bromelain is especially effective in managing inflammation associated with infection and injuries, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMM). One reason bromelain is effective against inflammation is that it reduces the accumulation of kinins and prostaglandins, both of which are involved in inflammation. If you are used to taking anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen, diclofenac (Voltaren), and naproxen for inflammation and pain related to arthritis, you may be interested to know that some studies suggest bromelain can offer some relief, although results are mixed. (Klein; UMM)
Because of bromelain’s ability to break down proteins, it can help relieve stomach distress and indigestion. Bromelain can be more effective for gastrointestinal problems when it is combined with other ingredients, as demonstrated in an Italian study. More than 50 people treated with a combination of sodium bicarbonate, bromelain, sodium alginate, and essential oils experienced significant relief from symptoms of indigestion. (Pellicano)
Some studies indicate bromelain may also be effective in reducing symptoms associated with respiratory conditions that involve inflammation, such as bronchitis and sinus infections. Another trait of bromelain is blood thinning, and so it may be used by individuals who have conditions such as angina and thrombophlebitis, a condition characterized by blood clots in the veins along with swelling and pain. A 2011 review from the University of West London reported that bromelain could be used to manage acute thrombophlebitis and that it had heart-protective effects. (Ley) Bromelain also has an ability to improve circulation and prevent clotting, which it does by breaking down fibrin and the accumulation of plaque in the arteries.
How to Use Bromelain
Bromelain is available as tablets and capsules. No daily dose has been established, but the German Commission E recommends 80 to 320 mg taken in divided doses 2 to 3 times daily. Suggested doses for certain conditions include 500 mg daily in divided doses with meals for digestive problems, 500 mg 4 times daily on an empty stomach for injuries, and 500 to 2,000 mg daily in 2 divided doses for arthritis.
Side effects of bromelain tend to be mild and may include breathing difficulties, diarrhea, increased heart rate, nausea, stomach pain, and vomiting. You should talk to your healthcare provider before using bromelain if you are taking anticoagulants or blood-thinning medications, if you have a bleeding disorder, high blood pressure, peptic ulcers, or a history of liver or kidney disease. Avoid bromelain if you are allergic to bee venom, carrots, celery, papaya, pineapple, rye, wheat, and pollens use of the supplement may trigger.
Sources
Klein G et al. Efficacy and tolerance of an oral enzyme combination in painful osteoarthritis of the hip. A double-blind, randomized study comparing oral enzymes with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Clin Exp Rheumatol 2006 Jan-Feb; 24(1): 25-30
Ley CM et al. A review of the use of bromelain in cardiovascular diseases. Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Xue Bao 2011 Jul; 9(7): 702-10
Pellicano R et al. Benefit of dietary integrators for treating functional dyspepsia: a prospective pilot study. Minerva Gastroenterol Dietol 2009 Sep; 55(3): 227-35
University of Maryland Medical Center:
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/bromelain-000289.htm
Werb Z, Aggeler J. Protesases induces secretion of collagenase and plasminogen activator by fibroblasts. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 1978; 75(4)
