Bromelain

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a7_3star Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.

a7_2star Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.

a7_1star For an herb, supported by traditional use but minimal or no scientific evidence. For a supplement, little scientific support.

Our proprietary “Star-Rating” system was developed to help you easily understand the amount of scientific support behind each supplement in relation to a specific health condition. While there is no way to predict whether a vitamin, mineral, or herb will successfully treat or prevent associated health conditions, our unique ratings tell you how well these supplements are understood by the medical community, and whether studies have found them to be effective for other people.

For over a decade, our team has combed through thousands of research articles published in reputable journals. To help you make educated decisions, and to better understand controversial or confusing supplements, our medical experts have digested the science into these three easy-to-follow ratings. We hope this provides you with a helpful resource to make informed decisions towards your health and well-being.

This supplement has been used in connection with the following health conditions:

Used for	Amount	Why
Sinusitis	3,000 MCU three times per day	Bromelain, an enzyme derived from pineapple, appears to relieve symptoms of acute sinusitis.
Sinusitis 3,000 MCU three times per day Bromelain, an enzyme derived from pineapple, has been reported to relieve symptoms of acute sinusitis. In a double-blind trial, 87% of patients who took bromelain reported good to excellent results compared with 68% of those taking placebo.¹ Other double-blind research has shown that bromelain reduces symptoms of sinusitis.²^{, 3} Research with bromelain for sinusitis generally uses the enteric-coated form. Enteric-coating prevents the stomach juices from partially destroying the bromelain. Most commercially available bromelain products today are not enteric-coated, and it is not known how the potency of these different products compares. Studies conducted in the past have used bromelain compounds with therapeutic strengths measured in units called Rorer units (RU). Potency of contemporary bromelain compounds are quantified in either MCUs (milk clotting units) or GDUs (gelatin dissolving units); one GDU equals 1.5 MCU. One gram of bromelain standardized to 2,000 MCU would be approximately equal to 1 gram with 1,200 GDU of activity, or 8 grams with 100,000 RU of activity. Physicians sometimes recommend 3,000 MCU taken three times per day for several days, followed up by 2,000 MCU per day.⁴ Much of the research conducted has used smaller amounts likely to be the equivalent (in modern units of activity) of approximately 500 MCU taken four times a day. Learn More

Used for	Amount	Why
Wound Healing	3,000 MCU (2,000 GDU) three times per day for several days, followed by 2,000 MCU three times per day	Taking bromelain may help reduce swelling and speed the healing time for surgical wounds and soft tissue injuries.
Wound Healing 3,000 MCU (2,000 GDU) three times per day for several days, followed by 2,000 MCU three times per day Supplementation with bromelain, an enzyme derived from pineapple stem, prior to and following a surgical procedure has been shown to reduce swelling, bruising, healing time, and pain.⁵ Bromelain supplementation has also been shown to accelerate the healing of soft-tissue injuries in male boxers.⁶ The amount of bromelain used in these studies was 40 mg four times per day, in the form of enteric-coated tablets. Enteric-coating prevents the stomach acid from partially destroying the bromelain. Most currently available bromelain products are not enteric-coated, and it is not known if such products would be as effective as enteric-coated bromelain. Learn More

Used for	Amount	Why
Prostatitis	2,000 to 9,000 mcu per day	The enzyme bromelain has anti-inflammatory effects. A study showed that bromelain combined with quercetin and papain significantly improved symptoms.
Prostatitis 2,000 to 9,000 mcu per day Quercetin, a flavonoid with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, has recently been reported to improve symptoms of NBP and PD. An uncontrolled study reported that 500 mg of quercetin twice daily for at least two weeks significantly improved symptoms in 59% of men with chronic prostatitis.⁷ These results were confirmed in a double-blind study, in which similar treatment with quercetin for one month improved symptoms in 67% of men with NBP or PD.⁸ Another uncontrolled study combined 1,000 mg per day of quercetin with the enzymes bromelain and papain, resulting in significant improvement of symptoms.⁹ Bromelain and papain promote absorption of quercetin and have anti-inflammatory effects as well.¹⁰ Learn More

Used for	Amount	Why
Tendinitis	2,000 to 9,000 mcu per day	Bromelain is anti-inflammatory and may help heal minor injuries and relieve pain.
Tendinitis 2,000 to 9,000 mcu per day Bromelain, a proteolytic enzyme, is an anti-inflammatory agent and for this reason is helpful in healing minor injuries, particularly sprains and strains, muscle injuries, and the pain, swelling, and tenderness that accompany sports injuries.¹¹^{, 12}^{, 13} Learn More

Used for	Amount	Why
Urinary Tract Infection	400 mg daily	Taking bromelain during a UTI may enhance antibiotic effectiveness.
Urinary Tract Infection 400 mg daily The proteolytic enzymes, bromelain (from pineapple) and trypsin may enhance the effectiveness of antibiotics in people with a UTI. In a double-blind trial, people with UTIs received antibiotics plus either bromelain/trypsin in combination (400 mg per day for two days) or a placebo. One hundred percent of those who received the enzymes had a resolution of their infection, compared with only 46% of those given the placebo.¹⁴ This study used enteric-coated tablets. Enteric-coating prevents stomach acid from partially destroying the bromelain. Most commercially available bromelain products today are not enteric-coated, and it is not known if non-enteric coated preparations would be as effective. Learn More

Used for	Amount	Why
Angina	Refer to label instructions	Bromelain prevents excessive stickiness of blood platelets, which is believed to be one of the triggering factors for angina. Supplementing with it may help.
Angina Bromelain has been reported in a preliminary study to relieve angina. In that study, 600 people with cancer were receiving bromelain (400 to 1,000 mg per day). Fourteen of those individuals had been suffering from angina. In all 14 cases, the angina disappeared within 4 to 90 days after starting bromelain.¹⁵ However, as there was no control group in the study, the possibility of a placebo effect cannot be ruled out. Bromelain is known to prevent excessive stickiness of blood platelets,¹⁶ which is believed to be one of the triggering factors for angina. Learn More

Used for	Amount	Why
Asthma	Refer to label instructions	Bromelain reduces the thickness of mucus, which may be beneficial for people with asthma.
Asthma Bromelain reduces the thickness of mucus, which may be beneficial for those with asthma,¹⁷ though clinical actions in asthmatics remain unproven. Learn More

Used for	Amount	Why
Low Back Pain	4 to 8 tablets a day of proteolytic enzymes containing trypsin and chymotrypsin, and/or bromelain	Several trials have reported reduced pain and swelling, and/or faster healing in people with a variety of conditions who use bromelain.
Low Back Pain 4 to 8 tablets a day of proteolytic enzymes containing trypsin and chymotrypsin, and/or bromelain Proteolytic enzymes, including bromelain, papain, trypsin, and chymotrypsin, may be helpful in healing minor injuries because they have anti-inflammatory activity and are capable of being absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract.¹⁸^{, 19}^{, 20} Several preliminary trials have reported reduced pain and swelling, and/or faster healing in people with a variety of conditions who use either bromelain²¹^{, 22}^{, 23} or papain.²⁴^{, 25}^{, 26} Learn More

Used for	Amount	Why
Rheumatoid Arthritis	Refer to label instructions	Bromelain has significant anti-inflammatory activity and may help reduce joint swelling and improve joint mobility.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Bromelain has significant anti-inflammatory activity. Many years ago in a preliminary trial, people with RA who were given bromelain supplements experienced a decrease in joint swelling and improvement in joint mobility.²⁷ The amount of bromelain used in that trial was 20–40 mg, three or four times per day, in the form of enteric-coated tablets. The authors provided no information about the strength of activity in the bromelain supplements that were used. (Today, better quality bromelain supplements are listed in gelatin-dissolving units [GDU] or in milk-clotting units [MCU].) Enteric-coating protects bromelain from exposure to stomach acid. Most commercially available bromelain products today are not enteric-coated. Learn More

Also indexed as:

bromelain,
cleaning wounds,
sinus infection,
sinus infections,
sinusitis,
wound care,
wound cleaning

About this treatment

How to Use It

Assessing the right amount of bromelain to take is complicated. Most bromelain research was conducted years ago, when amounts used were listed in units of activity that no longer exist. These old units do not precisely convert to new ones. Today, bromelain is measured in MCUs (milk clotting units) or GDUs (gelatin dissolving units). One GDU equals approximately 1.5 MCU. Strong products contain at least 2,000 MCU (1,200–1,333 GDU) per gram (1,000 mg). A supplement containing 500 mg labeled “2,000 MCU per gram” would have 1,000 MCU of activity. Some doctors recommend as much as 3,000 MCU taken three times per day for several days, followed by 2,000 MCU three times per day. Much of the research uses smaller amounts, more like the equivalent of approximately 500 MCU taken four times per day. However, most of the bromelain used in the studies was enteric-coated in order to prevent it from being destroyed by gastric juice. It is likely, therefore, that currently available bromelain preparations (which typically are not enteric-coated) are of lower potency than the bromelain used in most studies.

Where to Find It

Bromelain is found mostly in the stems of pineapples and is available as a dietary supplement.

Possible Deficiencies

Since bromelain is not essential, deficiencies of this plant-based enzyme do not exist.

Interactions

Last Review: 05-11-2011

Learn more about Aisle7, the company.

The information presented in Aisle7 is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires June 2011.

© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.

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