Bromelain for Pain

[Guest guest]

Hi, I am new here and hope I'm posting correctly. I have had spinal

fusion a few months ago but am still having pain (CT shows lots of

arthritis). I am middle aged. I also have a lot of aching in my hips

and not sure if it's due to the back problems, or arthritis in the

hips. I tried bromelain once before and I believe it works. I'd like

to know why I have read that you should only take it for two weeks at a

time. If this is true, then how long would one stay off of it before

starting it again. What could happen if you took it continually.

Please and thanks for your help.

Deb

[Guest guest]

, " telemygirlfriend "

<benjen97 wrote:

> Hi, I am new here and hope I'm posting correctly. I have had spinal fusion a

few months ago but am still having pain (CT shows lots of arthritis). I am

middle aged. I also have a lot of aching in my hips and not sure if it's due to

the back problems, or arthritis in the hips. I tried bromelain once before and

I believe it works. I'd like to know why I have read that you should only take

it for two weeks at a time. If this is true, then how long would one stay off

of it before starting it again. What could happen if you took it continually.

Please and thanks for your help.

> Deb

>

Hi Deb,

Bromelain is just another name for the sulfur-containing proteolytic

(protein-digesting) enzymes most abundant in fresh pineapple and it's juices. We

are born with a limited supply of enzymes which diminaish rapidly as we age so

the best anti aging strategy that I know of is to constantly replenish these

with the enzymes in fresh organic fruits and vegetables. It is basically the

body's store of enzymes that keep us alive and healthy. When we run out of

enzymes, we are through. A very simplistic approach I agree, but there is more

truth to these statements than many of us realize!.

Fresh pineapple is rich in bromelain, a group of sulfur-containing

proteolytic (protein-digesting) enzymes that not only aid digestion,

but can reduce inflammation and swelling, and have even been used

experimentally as anti-cancer agents.

 

A variety of inflammatory agents are inhibited by the actions of

bromelain.

Pineapples are actually not just one fruit but a composite of many

flowers whose individual fruitlets fuse together around a central core.

Each fruitlet is identified by an " eye, " on the pineapple's surface.

 

For it's anti-inflammatory effects, pineapple should be eaten alone

between meals or its 'enzymes' will be " used up " digesting food.

Since bromelain is " deactivated " by heat, pineapple juice and canned

pineapple are not good sources of this 'health-promoting' enzyme.

 

In terms of getting bromelain from pineapple, fresh is definitely the

way to go. In addition, pineapple is a more excellent source of the

trace mineral manganese, which is an " essential cofactor " in a number

of enzymes important in 'energy production' and 'antioxidant defenses'.

 

For example, the key oxidative " enzyme superoxide dismutase " ,

which " disarms " free radicals

produced within the mitochondria (the energy production factories

within our cells), requires manganese.

Just one cup of fresh pineapple supplies 128.0% of the DV for this

very important 'trace mineral'. In addition to manganese, pineapple is

a good source of thiamin, a B vitamin that acts as a cofactor

in " enzymatic reactions " .

I would recommend that you obtain fresh pineapple. The enzymes in

fresh foods are more bioavailable than those which are obtained in supplement

form. There are no contraindications contained in any of the bromelain

literature in my files. Bromelain is most safe and effective when taken as

directed and to my knowledge can be taken for long periods of time without any

resulting detrimental effects. Unless you see it listed on your supplement

bottle I wouldn't hesitate to take it indefinitely! Bromelain is not a herb but

an combination of enzymes however, many herbal formulas contain liberal amounts

of bromelain which are metabolized with no ill effects!

I have taken it with good results!

 

Blessings,

JoAnn

 

Some additional information I found for you:

 

Two molecules found in pineapple stems have shown anti-tumor activity

in research done at Australia's Queensland Institute of Medical

Research (QIMR). One of the molecules, called CCS, blocks the Ras

protein, which is defective in approximately 30% of all cancers, while

the other molecule, CCZ, stimulates the immune system to target and

eliminate cancer cells. The QIMR researchers discovered these anti-

cancer molecules while studying bromelain.

 

According to the National Cancer Institute, cancer has now overtaken

cardiac disease as the largest killer in the U.S. Cancer incidence

increases with age, with approximately 80% of cancers occurring in

people over the age of 55.

 

The major limitation of current cancer therapies is they are non-

specific and affect both normal and tumor cells. Future cancer

treatments will be highly specific to selectively destroy the cancer

cells, counteracting the mechanisms by which cancers grow. Data

already generated show that CCS and CCZ have the desired specificity

and selectivity.

 

" An interesting characteristic of CCS and CCZ is that they are

proteases. Proteases are traditionally thought of as degradative

enzymes which breakdown proteins, such as in the process of digestion.

 

Other reports on the role of proteases in disease have centered on

their potential to cause damage. CCS and CCZ are the first examples of

proteases that have been shown to modulate cell signal transduction

pathways and have specific immunomodulatory activities, " said Dr

Mynott. " The way CCS and CCZ work is different to any other drug in

clinical use today.

 

Fresh pineapple is fantastic for alleviating post surgical pain.

 

Patients with chronic bronchitis examined with a spirometer (a

specialized apparatus for determining respiratory function) before and

after bromelain treatment showed increased lung capacity and function.