Bromelain is an enzyme found in pineapples. Bromelain is present in all parts of the pineapple plant but the highest concentration is found in the stem. Bromelain is a combination of several protein-digesting enzymes along with peroxidase, acid phosphatase, protease inhibitors, and calcium. Bromelain is most often used to help digestion and help reduce inflammation. Bromelain may also have anti-viral and immune influencing properties.

Source Naturals Bromelain 2000 GDU

Bromelain is a pineapple digestive enzyme (breaks down proteins) with a wide pH range, which can function within the acidic environment of the stomach.

Supplement Facts
Bromelain (2,000 G.D.U.* per gram) 500 mg
* Gelatin Digesting Units

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Suggested Use: 1or 2 bromelain tablets daily or as suggested by your health care provider. If you have a delicate, easily irritated stomach, take with meals. Bromelain daily values not established.
GDU is a standard measure of activity for bromelain.

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Benefit of Bromelain
Bromelain, derived from the pineapple plant, is one of a group of proteolytic enzymes (enzymes capable of digesting protein). It is widely believed that most orally ingested enzymes are destroyed by the digestive juices prior to being absorbed. However, there is evidence that some amounts of bromelain can be absorbed intact. Proteolytic enzymes other than bromelain are often used with people who suffer from malabsorption. Bromelain may contribute to the digestion of protein, and may therefore be used as a digestive aid.

Bromelain side effects, safety, toxicity
Bromelain supplements do not seem to have any obvious side effects. The use of a bromelain supplement at 800 mg a day was used on a group of patients for a period of 12 weeks without any significant side effects reported.

Bromelain and Sinusitis
Therapeutic use, efficiency and safety of the proteolytic pineapple enzyme Bromelain -POS in children with acute sinusitis in Germany. In Vivo. 2005 Mar-Apr;19(2):417-21.
The therapeutic efficiency and safety of the proteolytic enzyme bromelaine obtained from pineapple (Bromelain -POS, Ursapharm GmbH, Saarbrucken, Germany) was evaluated in children under the age of 11 years diagnosed with acute sinusitis. Data from 116 patients from 19 centres located across Germany were analysed in a pharmacoepidemiological cohort study. Patient cohorts were either treated with Bromelain -POS (N = 62), in combination with Bromelain -POS and standard therapies (N = 34), or with standard therapies (N = 20). The primary parameter measuring effectiveness of the different treatment groups was the duration of symptoms. The shortest mean period of symptoms was observed in patients treated with Bromelain -POS alone (6.66 days), followed by the standard therapy (7.95 days) and those treated with a combination of Bromelain-POS and the standard therapy (9.06 days). Patients of the Bromelain -POS monotherapy group showed a statistically significant faster recovery from symptoms (p = 0.005) compared to the other treatment groups. One 10-year-old male patient, with a known pineapple allergy, showed a self-limiting mild allergic reaction. No other unwanted side-effects were reported. This trial documents that the proteolytic pineapple enzyme Bromelain -POS is widely used in the treatment of young children diagnosed with acute sinusitis in Germany and that the use of proteolytic enzymes can benefit such patients.

Bromelain and osteoarthritis
Bromelain as an adjunctive treatment for moderate-to-severe osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized placebo-controlled pilot study.
QJM. 2006 Dec;99(12):841-50. Department of Primary Care, University of Southampton, Southampton, Southampton, UK.
Previous studies suggest that bromelain, a pineapple extract, may be a safer alternative or adjunctive treatment for knee osteoarthrits than current conventional treatment. Subjects (n = 47) with a confirmed diagnosis of moderate to severe knee osteoarthritis were randomized to 12 weeks of bromelain 800 mg a day or placebo, with a 4-week follow-up. Knee (pain, stiffness and function) and quality-of-life symptoms were reported monthly in the WOMAC and SF36 questionnaires, respectively. No statistically significant differences were observed between groups for the primary outcome. Both treatment groups showed clinically relevant improvement in the WOMAC disability subscale only. Adverse events were generally mild in nature. This study suggests that bromelain is not efficacious as an adjunctive treatment of moderate to severe osteoarthritis.

Bromelain and muscle pain
Preliminary comparison of bromelain and Ibuprofen for delayed onset muscle soreness management.
Clin J Sport Med. 2002 Nov;12(6):373-8. Stone MB, Merrick MA, Ingersoll CD, Edwards JE. Indiana State University, Terre Haute 47809, USA.
The purpose of this study was to determine whether a common bromelain regimen or common ibuprofen regimen are effective in resolving pain and muscle dysfunction associated with delayed onset muscle soreness of the elbow flexors. Forty subjects who had not participated in an upper body resistance-training program 3 months prior to the study, suffered pain or injury in the nondominant arm, or experienced an adverse response to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or pineapple (bromelain source) were recruited. Subjects were assigned to one of four treatment groups (bromelain 300 mg t.i.d., ibuprofen 400 mg t.i.d., placebo t.i.d., and control) and began treatment immediately following the exercise protocol. No differences among treatments were observed for any of the dependent variables at any time. ROM deficits and pain peaked between 48 and 72 hours. Peak torque deficiencies were observed between 24 and 72 hours. Ingestion of bromelain and ibuprofen had no effect on elbow flexor pain, loss of ROM, or loss of concentric peak torque as a result of an eccentric exercise regimen.

Bromelain for pytiriasis lichenoides
Pityriasis lichenoides is a rash of unknown cause. The rash can range from a relatively mild chronic form to a more severe acute eruption. Pityriasis lichenoides affects adolescents and young adults, usually before the age of 30.

Role of bromelain in the treatment of patients with pityriasis lichenoides chronica.
J Dermatolog Treat. 2007;18(4):219-22. Department of Clinical Medicine and Immunological Sciences - Section of Dermatology, University of Siena, Italy.
Eight patients (3 males and 5 females) with pityriasis lichenoides chronica were treated for three months with oral bromelain (40 mg 3 times a day for 1 month, 40 mg twice a day for 1 month and 40 mg/day for 1 month). All patients showed complete clinical recovery after treatment. After one year of follow up, two patients experienced relapse 6 months after suspension of therapy but responded to another brief cycle of therapy. No side effects were encountered during therapy.

Measuring the potency
What is the difference between Bromelain 45 Mg (225 I.U) and Bromelain 5,000 M.C.U (Milk Clot Units Per Mg)?
    MCU stands for milk clotting units and refers to the proteolytic enzyme potency. Vitamins and minerals are measured in a variety of ways including milligrams (mg), micrograms (mcg), or International Units (IU). A measure of the potency of bromelain, which is an enzyme, is how quickly it can dissolve a protein, in this case milk protein, is expressed as milk clotting units (mcu). Bromelain is also measured as GDU, gelatin dissolving units. This is a good question, I am not sure how these different measures compare.

Bromelain supplement questions
Q. I read about bromelain that it has healing and antiinflammatory properties. Can I give bromelain for better wound healing after orthopedic surgery ?
   A. We are not familiar with the use of bromelain after surgery. Bromelain does appear to have anti-inflammatory and antiviral activity.

Q. What can you tell me about bromelain? I am taking a bromelain supplement for chronic inflammation, and would like to to take it long term, but am unfamiliar with it's profile. I've seen some websites say you should take a bromelain supplement  no longer than 10 days.
   A. The use of a bromelain supplement at 800 mg was used on a group of patients for a period of 12 weeks without any significant side effects. As with any supplement, we suggest taking breaks from use unless the supplement is necessary in the treatment of a condition and your doctor does not advise taking breaks.

Q.  I have been on bromelain 3000 mg a day and quercetin 1500 mg a day. I have started itching after a month. Is this an allergy to bromelain or quercetin?
   A. It is not possible for us to tell whether your itching is an allergy to bromelain, quercetin, or some other ingredient in the capsule or something else that it causing the problem in your diet or environmental exposure. If the itching goes away and returns after using the supplement, then it is more likely that the bromelain, quercetin or some ingredient in the formula is causing the allergy.

Q. I came across bromelain in an email claiming it to be a wonder drug. So I did some looking into it and it does sound pretty amazing. Bromelain comes from pineapples, is drinking the juice or eating ready made pineapple chunks do just as well as taking the supplement? Of course the sites that I've looked at say the same in that bromelain is a very safe thing to take but a little further down it tells you the side effects. I know, just about everything, even natural drugs, have some side effects for the most part. I'm just curious of what you know about this supplement and what you think along with my question about the juice and chunks.
   A. Taking a bromelain supplement is different than eating pineapple or drinking pineapple juice since the fruit has many other compounds along with bromelain. There are countless beneficial substances in the foods and herbs we consume, and bromelain is one of these, not necessarily a wonder drug.

Q. I am considering purchasing serrapeptase enzyme and combining it with bromelain. Are you aware of any adverse effects of combining the two?
   A. We are not aware of any contraindications combining serrapeptase enzyme and bromelain supplements, but we have not seen any studies combining the two and it is possible that one person may find it compatible why another person could get untoward side effects.

Q. So, after all the research on bromelain supplements, would you say it's worth a try for bursitis of the hips, assuming there are no extenuating circumstances?
   A. There's very little research regarding the use of bromelain supplements in joint disorders, therefore no statements can be made with confidence as of July 2008.

Q. I have taken a supplement of quercetin and bromelain for about two years for lung health. It has been very good for me. The daily dose of bromelain is a half of a gram, with seemingly no ill effect. A few weeks ago I fell and hurt myself. I had supplemental bromelain and was probably taking no more than two grams for a few days, and again I saw no problems like stomach upset or the like. I later cut myself and the bleeding was minimal. But there is a concern about taking it for more than ten days in a row at least on the Internet. What is the scientific data about this wonderful protease. And what about taking proteases to keep infections at bay during the winter.
   A. The few human studies with bromelain supplements thus far have not shown any major side effects. However, as with most natural supplements, it is a good idea to take occasional breaks from use unless medically required to take daily without stopping. I have seen no good research that taking a protease supplement daily in the winter prevents or reduces the risk for infection.

 I take BROMELAIN AND QUERCETIN for my sinus condition, and it (they) has helped the condition for years. My question is, " Are either of these enzymes BLOOD THINNERS? If so, is it slight or not?
    They may have a slight blood thinning effect but I have not seen conclusive studies yet. If they do thin the blood, it is likely to be minimal. I can't fully certain, this is my best guess.