Bromelain

Bromelain present in both the Stem and the fruit but commercialy derived Bromelain comes from the stems of pineapples. Bromelain is a mixture of protein-digesting enzymes—called proteolytic enzymes or proteases. It also contains a type of Peroxidase enzyme, and Acid Phosphatase enzyme, several Protease Inhibitors and Calcium.  Much of the physiological activity of Bromelain occurs as a result of multiple factors, including but not exclusively its proteolytic enzyme function.

Cardiovascular System

 Bromelain may be useful for the treatment of Angina by stimulating the breakdown of Fibrinogen.^[1]

 Bromelain may break down the Atherosclerotic Plaque that is implicated in Atherosclerosis.^[2]

 Bromelain may inhibit abnormal Blood Clotting by stimulating the breakdown of Fibrinogen and Fibrin via the process of Fibrinolysis.^[3]

 Bromelain may help to prevent and treat Cardiovascular Diseases (by inhibiting Fibrinogen that is implicated in the abnormal Blood Clotting that is implicated in most types of Cardiovascular Diseases). 

 Bromelain (120 - 400 mg per day) may be an effective treatment for persons who have had a Heart Attack (due to its ability to inhibit further abnormal Blood Clotting that may cause a second Heart Attack). ^[4]

 Bromelain may reduce the Inflammation associated with Phlebitis.^[5]

 Bromelain may alleviate the symptoms (including Inflammation, Pain, Edema, tenderness and disability) in (the Thrombophlebitis form of) Thrombosis.^[6]

Digestive System

 Bromelain may help to prevent Diarrhea (by inhibiting the ability of some types of Detrimental Bacteria to adhere to the lining of the Small Intestine). ^[7]

 Bromelain may accelerate the healing of Ulcers - Gastric (by increasing the uptake of Sulfur and Glucosamine into the Gastric Mucosa). ^[8]

 Bromelain may help to counteract the depletion of Pancreatic Enzymes that occurs as a result of Pancreatic Insufficiency. ^[9]

 Bromelain may inhibit the ability of Detrimental Bacteria to adhere to the lining of the Small Intestine. ^[10]

 Bromelain may reduce the Inflammation associated with Ulcerative Colitis. ^[11]

Excretory System

 Bromelain may enhance the effectiveness of Pharmaceutical Antibiotics for the treatment of Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs). ^[12]

Immune System

 Bromelain may help to “dissolve” the foreign Proteins (Antigens) that are responsible for many Allergies.^[13]

 Bromelain may inhibit the ability of Escherichia coli to cause Diarrhea. ^[14]

 Bromelain is one of the Enzymes utilized in Enzyme Therapy (i.e. involving multiple Enzymes, especially Proteolytic Enzymes) to break up (degrade) the Immune Complexes ^[15]  that are theorized to cause various Autoimmune Diseases including:

 Multiple Sclerosis 

 Rheumatoid Arthritis 

 Bromelain may interfere with the growth of the malignant Cells of many forms of Cancer (by helping to stimulate the body’s endogenous production of anti-Cancer compounds such as Interleukin 1, Interleukin 6 and Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)).  Bromelain may also help to prevent the spread (metastasis) of Cancer cells to other areas of the body. ^[16]

 Bromelain (600 mg per day) may cause the regression of some cases of Breast Cancer and inhibits the metastasis of Cancer - Breast. ^[17]

 Bromelain (600 mg per day) may cause the regression of some cases of Ovarian Cancer and may inhibit the metastasis of Cancer - Ovaries. ^[18]

 Bromelain may inhibit the growth of Gliomas. ^[19]

 Bromelain may inhibit the metastasis of Cancer - Lung. ^[20]

 Bromelain may help to prevent Cancer - Skin.

 Bromelain may enhance the ability of the Immune System to mount a defense against Candida albicans. ^[21]

 Bromelain may help to reduce Inflammation. ^[22]

 Bromelain may reduce the quantity of Mucous produced during Staphylococcus aureus infections.  Bromelain may enhance the effectiveness of Pharmaceutical Antibiotics for the treatment of Staphylococcus aureus infections. ^[23]