Swollen Joints: Why The Pineapple Is Proving An Unlikely Source Of Pain Relief From Inflamed And Swollen Joints

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In the hope that time and plenty of rest would provide a cure, Shona decided not to seek medical treatment for her knee. However, she did mention the problem to a herbalist she was under the care of at the time, who was treating her for a hiatus hernia and bad menstrual pains.

The herbalist believed that inflammation was probably at the root of Shona's chronic discomfort and suggested that she try a new product called Bromelin, which is derived from the pineapple fruit.

Bromelin harnesses the key anti-inflammatory compound in pineapples

The pineapple may sound like an unlikely source of healing powers, but an extract from its stem has been shown to act as an effective natural anti-inflammatory that reduces pain and swelling, improves joint mobility and promotes tissue repair.

In fact pineapples have been traditionally used as a medicinal plant in parts of the world where the fruit is in abundant supply. In Hawaii, for example, the fruit has long been used by native people as an effective cure for digestive problems and sore throats.

Apart from being a rich source of vitamin C, the pineapple contains an active substance known as bromelain; this is primarily made up of a digestive enzyme but also contains other enzymes, such as peroxidase and acid phosphatase, as well as calcium. It is bromelain, which has been clinically proven to ease joint pain and discomfort.

Now the healing power of bromelain has been harnessed in Bromelin tablets, which are recommended for a range of inflammatory conditions - including hay fever, rheumatoid arthritis and, in particular, sports-related problems including sprains and strains.

Bromelin can end the misery of joint pain in under just 8 weeks

After taking Bromelin tablets for four months, Shona entirely forgot about her painful knee and resumed her hobby of curling. 'It was only when I heard someone talking about a sore knee that I suddenly thought: 'I used to have a sore knee!', she said. She then realised that her knee pain had completely disappeared after she had been taking Bromelin for about two months. By the end of four months the stomach and period problems had also gone.

When she stopped taking the Bromelin, Shona found that the pain in her knee returned, but it soon disappeared once she resumed taking the tablets again. She became convinced that Bromelin was the reason for the dramatic and beneficial effects she was experiencing on her injured joint.

The School of Food Biosciences at the University of Reading has launched a new study, involving 500 knee-pain sufferers, to determine whether Bromelin can help ease and prevent knee pain - the knee is one of the most vulnerable joints in the body.

Dr Ann Walker, senior lecturer in human nutrition at the school, is in charge of the trial. She says: 'The knee joint is one of the most complex in the body and subject to considerable stresses in maintaining the upright position and coping with the body's twisting movements'.

It is hoped that the study will produce positive results, especially as research has already shown that Bromelin is able to inhibit the action of prostaglandins, which cause pain and inflammation, and also helps with the breakdown of fibrin, a protein associated with fluid retention and swelling.

In one study, 73 per cent of rheumatoid arthritis sufferers taking bromelin, for periods ranging from three weeks to over a year, experienced 'good' or 'excellent' pain relief, with no side-effects 1.

Bromelin's therapeutic properties are not limited to joint problems alone

Bromelin has other intriguing applications. It has been shown to enhance the action of antibiotics, such as tetracycline and amoxicyllin, by increasing absorption and distribution 2,3.

Its remarkable ingredient, bromelain, has been shown to help heal burns and wounds when applied directly to the skin in cream form. Bromelin also contains an enzyme called escharase which helps eliminate burn debris and accelerates healing. It has been used to help speed up the process of preparing burn damaged skin for skin graft 4, 5.

Interestingly, bromelain has also been shown to have a potential anti-cancer effect.

Daily doses of 600mg given over long periods to ovarian and breast cancer sufferers seemed to prevent the disease from spreading. It appears to work by being anti-metastatic - meaning that it stops cancer cells migrating from the primary tumour to other areas in the body. However, the mechanism by which it may do this is still not clear. In studies, daily doses of 1,000mg used in conjunction with chemotherapy were reported to have led to tumour regression 6, 7.

Bromelin has a wide number of clinical applications under investigation but for anyone suffering from painful or swollen joints who is reluctant to take conventional anti-inflammatory drugs and painkillers, it should be a treatment of first choice. Bromelin contains 200mg of standardised, concentrated bromelain. The recommended dose is 200mg daily.

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