What is Bromelain?

For centuries, people have used pineapple for its medicinal qualities.^1,2

The stem of the pineapple is rich in a compound called bromelain, an enzyme renowned for its ability to inhibit inflammation and support joint comfort.³

Research has shown that bromelain has other benefits, ranging from promoting wound healing and relieving symptoms of sinusitis, to fighting cancer.³

Reducing Osteoarthritis Pain

In a study of patients with hip osteoarthritis, using a bromelain preparation for six weeks was shown to be as effective as the anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac in standard scales of pain, stiffness, and physical function.⁴

In another study, bromelain was found to be as good as diclofenac on a standard pain assessment scale, in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee joint. In some instances, it yielded better results than diclofenac in reducing pain at rest and improving restricted function.⁵

Aids in Wound Healing

Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, bromelain can aid in the healing and treatment of minor injuries such as sprains, strains, and other trauma.

In an observational study of patients who had suffered blunt trauma involving muscles and bones, bromelain reduced the patients’ swelling, pain at rest and in motion, and tenderness at the site of injury.⁶

Cancer-Fighting Properties

Several studies suggest that bromelain may have a role as a novel anticancer therapy.

In animal models of bone, mammary gland, blood (leukemia), and lung cancer, treatment with bromelain increased survival rates, compared to untreated animals.⁷ It also reduced the number of lung metastases, suggesting it might play an important role in fighting cancer growth.

Scientists have proposed that bromelain may work through several mechanisms, including boosting immune function, inhibiting tumor metastasis (spread to other locations), and decreasing tumor growth and invasive potential.⁸

May Help Relieve Sinusitis Symptoms

Bromelain may offer some relief from sinusitis symptoms.⁹ Rhinosinusitis, commonly known as sinusitis, is a potentially painful inflammation of the sinus cavities that can manifest with symptoms such as nasal congestion and discharge, postnasal drip, headache, cough, and sore throat.¹⁰

One older systematic review of herbal medicines reported on two randomized controlled trials which found that bromelain may be an effective adjunctive treatment in acute or chronic rhinosinusitis.¹¹

In a clinical trial, researchers evaluated penetration of bromelain in the nasal mucosa of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis.

For the study, participants were evaluated after 30 days of bromelain administration. Bromelain was found to have better distribution in nasal mucosa than controls. The researchers concluded that this ability may allow the use of bromelain as an anti-inflammatory agent in nasal and sinus pathologies.¹²

Resolves Skin Disorders

Bromelain has shown promise in treating a skin disorder called pityriasis lichenoides chronica, which is characterized by long-lasting skin lesions.

In a three-month trial of bromelain in eight pityriasis lichenoides chronica patients, all patients showed complete clinical recovery by the end of the trial with no adverse effects.

After 12 months of follow up, only two of these patients had relapsed, both of whom responded to another cycle of bromelain treatment.¹³

The immuno-modulatory function of bromelain also makes it a potential aid to eliminate burn debris and to accelerate wound healing.³

Supplementing with Bromelain

The bromelain that has been studied and used in clinical studies comes from pineapple stems. Eating pineapple is not a source of bromelain with these benefits.¹⁴

This pineapple-stem bromelain is available to consumers in the form of a nutritional supplement.

Bromelain can also be used to enhance food digestion, since it is a digestive enzyme.

It can be combined with additional digestive enzymes, such as lipase and amylase, at mealtime. Some authorities believe bromelain’s non-digestive therapeutic benefits are enhanced by taking it on an empty stomach, so that it doesn’t expend its enzymatic properties on breaking down protein in foods.

Others use an enteric-coated bromelain tablet that bypasses digestive juices. This enables bromelain to be better absorbed into the bloodstream through the small intestine for potential systemic benefits.

Material used with permission of Life Extension. All rights reserved.