Natural painkiller: How An Extract From A Tropical Fruit Can Ease The Pain of Arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis and Sinusitis

You may be surprised to hear that a common tropical fruit is being used to treat conditions like arthritis and multiple sclerosis. The secret ingredient is an active substance known as bromelain, found in extracts from the stem of pineapple. Researchers have discovered that this active ingredient is a fantastic breakthrough for people suffering the pain and discomfort bought on by arthritis due to the anti-inflammatory and painkilling effect it has on your body.

This new breakthrough is actually an old remedy used by locals on the tropical islands in the Pacific Ocean. Early explorers visiting these islands were amazed to notice that the locals had an unusual treatment for muscle aches and joint pains. The treatment was pineapple. Drinking the juice of crushed pineapple, or applying the mashed fruit directly onto a sore limb, had a miraculous effect: the pain and inflammation improved, and the joint was able to move freely again.

Pineapple is still used by the locals today, but scientists who are aware of the potential benefits of pineapple have extracted the key ingredient bromelain and its now a very well accepted natural remedy used to reduce joint stiffness, muscular aches and strains, bruising, and knee pain in particular.

A safer and cheaper alternative in treating arthritis
Scientists now believe that bromelain is a safer and cheaper alternative to conventional anti-inflammatory drugs used in the treatment of arthritis (Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2004;1(3):251-257). This is a huge breakthrough for the millions of arthritis sufferers. Arthritis is the single biggest cause of physical disability in the UK, and the inflammation of the joints means pain, stiffness, discomfort and fatigue.

Recently, Pakistani doctors from the King Edward Medical College in Lahore, compared bromelain with diclofenac a well-known conventional anti-inflammatory drug used for the treatment of arthritis.

A total of 103 patients with painful arthritis of the knee were treated for six weeks. Half of the patients took bromelain extracts, and the other half took diclofenac. In conclusion it was found that bromelain could be considered as an effective and safe alternative to diclofenac in the treatment of painful episodes of osteoarthritis of the knee (Clin Rheumatol. 2004 Oct;23(5):410-5).

While both treatments resulted in clear improvements, conventional anti-inflammatory drugs such as diclofenac do have side-effects, including stomach upset, indigestion and nausea. In contrast, bromelain has not been associated with any side-effects.

Pineapple extract to improve muscle performance during intense exercise
In addition to helping with pain and stiffness, bromelain was shown to be effective in improving muscle performance, and can actually protect against tissue injury following intense exercise. This is good news if you are a keen sports player, but often suffer from constant throbbing and joint pain that wont go away, as a result of playing your favourite sport.

American researchers from the Department of Health and Human Performance, Elon University, gave bromelain 400 mg daily, together with other natural remedies such as trypsin and papain to a group of athletes. The results showed that the athletes took shorter time to recover following intense exercise, compared to athletes who were not on the treatment (J Sports Sci. 2004;22(4):365-72). Scientists concluded that the enzymes promote muscle healing and improve muscle performance if taken before exercise.

Studies show bromelain is far more effective than conventional treatments for sinusitis
Most of you will have suffered from sinusitis at one time or another since it often follows the common cold. Many doctors readily hand out antibiotics or recommend decongestants to alleviate the pain, but this merely suppresses your immune system and prevents natural healing. And you know your sinuses will flare up soon, leaving you once waiting for another prescription.

Its now been discovered that bromelain can be a very effective alternative. This pineapple extract can relieve symptoms of sinusitis by breaking down the mucus in your nasal passage.

A recent study from the Institute of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, University of Leipzig, Germany on 116 children under the age of 11 years, who had acute sinusitis, showed remarkable results.

The children were either treated with bromelain or standard therapies (such as inhalations and decongestants). Patients who had the bromelain treatment experienced a quick recovery and a short period of suffering the symptoms, whereas those who had the standard therapy without the bromelain took up to three days longer to recover.

Other benefits and uses linked to bromelain
Multiple sclerosis: Because bromelain has anti-inflammatory benefits, it can be used in conditions where inflammation is the underlying cause. For example, it has been used with patients suffering from multiple sclerosis. It is intended that bromelain is used in an attempt to slow down the inflammation of the nerves which is characteristic of the condition (Mult Scler. 2005 Apr;11(2):166-8).

Stomach Ulcers: Helicobacterium pylori is an infectious bug which has been blamed for causing ulcers in the stomach. This bug destroys the lining of the stomach, which is then attacked by the acid inside the stomach, resulting in an ulcer. The good news is that researchers from the Fundamental Research Laboratory, in Tokyo, have found that enzymes like bromelain can make it difficult for Helicobacter to attach itself onto the stomach. This prevents stomach infection and reduces the risk of an ulcer (J Dairy Sci. 2005;88(1):49-54).

What to take for the best results
The recommended dosage is 400 mg to 500 mg taken two to three times a day.  As always you should check with your practitioner before taking bromelain especially if you are already on any other medication. Do not take bromelain if you are allergic to pineapple.