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| As a plant enzyme, bromelain has many advantages and uses as a supplemental ingredient. Bromelain is used by itself, or in combination with other enzymes, in many products to aid pancreatic enzymes in digestion. Bromelain is also helpful in the absorption of many other supplemental ingredients such as glucosamine, quercetin, rutin, and many others. One gram of bromelain standardized to 2,000 MCU would be approximately equal to 1gm with 1,200 GDU of activity or 8gm with 100,000 RU of activity. Bromelain is essentially a protease (enzyme that breaks down proteins); and because it is plant-derived, it is active at a wide pH range (3-10) and temperature range. Bromelain is absorbed intact through the gastrointestinal tract, with the highest concentration of bromelain being found in the blood one hour after administration. Bromelain is potent enzyme that naturally supports the body's ability to break down blood clots as they develop and diminish inflammation. As Bromelain passes into the blood stream, it has some very beneficial activities systemically. It has been used as an anti-inflammatory agent in both gross injury type swellings (surgery, trauma injury, sprains; for which it received an "Approved status by the German Commission E) as well as micro inflammations (allergic reactions, localized internal infections). Here it is thought to work on both the fibrin and kinin pathways to decrease active inflammation, as well as prevent the blockage of other anti-inflammatory agents from entering the site of infection. Bromelain is commonly taken as a digestive aid to enhance absorption of proteins. Directions Bromelain has shown therapeutic benefits in doses as small as 160mg per day. Most research on bromelain has been done utilizing four divided daily doses, usually between meals. Side-Effects In human clinical tests, side-effects are generally not observed. However, there is always the possibility that someone may develop an allergy to bromelain. |