Aids in relieving minor aches, swelling, and inflammation Provides 500 mg of bromelain from pineapple stems per capsule Supports healthy digestion by enhancing the breakdown of dietary proteins Provides the clinical dose used in controlled trials to support musculoskeletal health. Bromelain is well absorbed and retains its enzyme activity, providing systemic anti-inflammatory effects. Bromelain, found in pineapple stems, is a combination of several proteolytic enzymes classified as cysteine or thiol proteinases. Bromelain's long history as a digestive aid is partly attributed to its ability to digest proteins over a wide pH range. However, it has also been shown to stimulate the production of pancreatic enzymes and enhance epithelial integrity in experimental models.1In addition to its function as a digestive enzyme, bromelain is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and retains its enzyme activity in the bloodstream. Among its many enzymatic effects, bromelain has been shown to be a potent anti-inflammatory agent, reducing levels of inflammatory signals, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB).Bromelain's anti-inflammatory, fibrinolytic, and analgesic effects are also responsible for many of its beneficial effects on the musculoskeletal system. In an open-label trial, bromelain supplementation was shown to reduce acute knee pain as well as stiffness and function, with a dose-dependent effect. In another clinical trial involving mild/moderate knee osteoarthritis, bromelain was as effective as standard treatment after four weeks. Faster recovery and reduced pain and swelling following several types of minor trauma have also been reported with bromelain.
