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Bromelain is a Useful Dietary Supplement For Health

February 20, 2009


Bromelain is gaining a lot of worldwide acclaim as a dietary supplement for numerous health benefits. Although, the real evaluation of bromelain still remains to be verified, yet it has become one of the widely sold over the counter dietary supplement.

What is Bromelain?

Well! You may not be aware but bromelain is a protease enzyme i.e an enzyme which is important for hydrolysis of proteins. The major source of bromelain remains to be the stem or the fruit of fresh. In general it is a scientific fact that the stem has the highest content of enzyme and is therefore the preferred source for the commercial preparations.

Bromelain and its effect on health

Bromelain is an important enzyme class that inhibits or hydrolyzes different kinds of proteins. It is mainly assigned as a natural supplement with anti-inflammatory activity. It is generally believed that bromelain acts directly or indirectly via the various mediators of inflammation processes i.e. the inflammatory mediators.

It has been validated that the enzyme inhibits thromboxane synthetase, a major enzyme for conversion of prostaglandin H2 into pro-inflammatory prostaglandins and thromboxanes. Apart from this an impotant function that bromelain performs is the degradation or breakdown of fibrin.

Since, fibrin is responsible for inflammation and fluid retention as well as clot formation, hence bromelain indirectly affects the two important causes of sustained inflammation. Plasminogen to plasmin conversion is also facilitated in the presence of enzyme bromelain which is advantageous to reduce inflammation.

Health usages and recommended properties of bromelain

Bromelain has been considered as a useful dietary supplement for digestion of proteins and hence recommended as a part of digestive tonics. Apart from this the major uses of Bromelain include its use as anti-inflammatory agent, a supplement in musculo-skeletal injuries.

Interestingly enough, it is also found useful for the treatment of sinusitis an allergic reaction. A recent clinical trial has provided some evidence that, the analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of bromelain, could be pivotal for providing a relief in the various symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis as well.


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