Bromelain is an enzyme found in pineapple juice and in the pineapple stem. Bromelain is naturally found in both the juice and stems of the pineapple plant, but the stem contains more bromelain than the pineapple does. The first isolation of bromelain was recorded by the Venezuelan chemist Vicente Marcano in 1891 from the fruit of pineapple. Bromelain is most often used to help digestion and help reduce inflammation.

Bromelain Benefits

Bromelain enzyme is strongly anti-inflammatory substance, it decreases pain and edemas.also reduces the redness, tenderness and swelling as a result of tissue injuries and muscle pains. Bromelain has shown good results in treating inflammation after the surgery and injury. When used in combination with other digestive enzymes, bromelain relieves an upset stomach or heartburn. In Europe, a patented tape has been developed containing bromelain that is used clinically for debriding wound eschar. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory effects is helpful in decreasing pain and burns.

Digestion

Bromelain is a protein-digesting enzyme that is active at a broad range of pHs, and thus can promote digestion of protein in both the stomach and small intestine. As a proteolytic enzyme it assists the body’s own digestive mechanisms in reducing very large, complex protein molecules into smaller peptide units or individual amino acids. Bromelain can digest proteins and may help relieve stomach upset or heartburn, particularly when used in conjunction with other enzymes such as amylase and lipase. A study in 2008 issue of “Clinical Immunology” found bromelain enzyme decreases inflammation in ulcerative colitis and reduces the secretion of cytokines in IBS.

Anti-Inflammatory

Bromelain enzyme inhibits formation of prostaglandin E-2, a chemical that causes inflammation, and it also helps to stimulate the production of prostaglandin E-1, an anti-inflammatory chemical. In a clinical study of adults who experienced mild acute knee pain for three months or less, bromelain enzyme  demonstrated anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect, reducing the symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Administration of bromelain presurgically can reduce the average number of days for complete disappearance of pain and inflammation. A study conducted by an orthopedic surgeon showed that giving bromelain to 59 of his patients resulted in a clear reduction in both swelling and discomfort. A  study published in  2002 issue of Phytomedicine also show that bromelain enzyme reduces knee joint pain in a dose dependent manner. Bromelain enzyme works by blocking selected proinflammatory metabolites that accelerate the inflammatory process. In animal studies, bromelain was the most powerful of nine substances examined, on a par with the drug prednisone.

Sinusitus

Some studies suggest that it may help reduce congestion, improve breathing and suppress coughing.  In a double blind study comparing the use of bromelain with placebo, 87 % of those patients who took bromelain reported good to excellent results compared with 68% of the placebo group. A study 2006 issue of Alternative Medicine Review, bromelain enzyme in doses of 500 mg to 1,000 mg per day is effective in sinusitis as an anti-inflammatory and mucolytic. Commission E approved bromelain to treat swelling and inflammation after surgery, particularly sinus surgery.

Immune System

Some scientific evidence from test tubes and animals suggests that bromelain can fight against infectious agents such as viruses and bacteria. A 2005 study done in Germany showed that bromelain activated immune cells that fight infection. Other studies suggest that it may also boost the amount of certain immune system hormones, called cytokines. Bromelain has also been shown to remove T-cell CD44 molecules from lymphocytes and to affect T-cell activation.

Antibiotics and Bromelain

Some studies have shown it to be as effective as antibiotics for treatment of , bronchitis, sinusitis, pneumonia and dental and kidney infection. In a double-blind study, 100 % of people who received bromelain enzyme/trypsin in combination with antibiotics had a resolution of their infection, compared to only 46 % of those who received antibiotics alone. Combined bromelain and antibiotic therapy has been shown to be more effective than antibiotics alone in a variety of conditions including pneumonia, bronchitis, pyelonephritis and sinusitis.

Cardiovascular

The protease enzyme is beneficial in reducing the clumping of platelets, the formation of plaques in the arteries and the formation of blood clots. Clumping or aggregation may contribute to arterial blockage, heart attack or stroke. Studies have shown that bromelain can also be useful in the reduction of platelet clumping and blood clots in the bloodstream, especially in the arteries. A drastic reduction in the incidence of coronary infarct after administration of potassium and magnesium orotate along with 120-400 mg bromelain enzyme per day has been reported.

Burn

When applied to the burned skin it can be rather effective in case of very severe burns. One study using a debridement agent that is derived from bromelain to treat people with second- and third degree burns showed a benefit. When applied to the skin, bromelain removes dead cells in a process known as debridement.

Bromelain Dosage

Bromelain is available in tablets or capsules and as a topical to treat burns. Dosages for bromelain vary, depending on the reason that you’re taking it. The German Commission E recommends 80-320 mg two to three times per day. As  digestive aid, the recommended dosage is generally 500 mg three times per day. Studies on heart patients indicates that increasing the dosage of bromelain to 400 mg  – 1,000 mg per day may reduce the symptoms of angina pectoris. Inflammation; 500-mg to 2,000-mg per day. For best results, the total daily dosage should be divided into 4 doses and taken an hour before or after food. Bromelain has to be enteric-coated so that it will not be used as a digestive enzyme if activated in the stomach. When taken on an empty stomach approximately 40 percent of the bromelain is absorbed into the bloodstream intact.

Bromelain Side Effects

Bromelain is generally safe and free of side effects when taken in moderate amounts. Occasionally individuals may develop an allergic rash from bromelain. If you are allergic to pineapple, do not take bromelain. Bromelain enzyme may increase bleeding risk when taken together with drugs that are known to increase bleeding. You should stop taking bromelain at least 2 weeks before surgery.

Astaxanthin is a red colored carotenoid pigment that naturally occurs in most marine crustaceans and some species of fish. Astaxanthin is what gives the pink and red color to salmon, shrimp and lobster. This pigment is commercially produced from the microalga Haematococcus pluvialis, the richest known natural source for Astaxanthin. This microalgae often grows in places that are exposed to harsh environmental conditions such as intense sunlight, excessive heat during its dormant phase.

Antioxidant

Free radicals and other reactive oxygen species are produced during normal life-sustaining aerobic metabolism. In excess, these molecules can cause protein and lipid oxidation and DNA damage. Recent scientific findings indicate that Astaxanthin is a powerful antioxidant and can serve as a potent free-radical scavenger. It’s 6,000 times more effective than vitamin C, 800 times more than CoQ10 and 550 times more than vitamin E or green tea. Results of a 2002 study into the effects of astaxanthin on liver function showed that it protects the liver from oxidative damage. It also seems to decrease oxidative consumption of glutathione  and increase hepatoprotective antioxidant activity. Astaxanthin provides protection from more types of free radicals than many other antioxidants. Additionally, scientific research has proven that astaxanthin is able to cross the blood-brain barrier and the central nervous system better than many other antioxidants. This feature allows its benefits to reach and protect the eyes and brain from free radical damage.

İmmune System

Astaxanthin seems to improve the immune response by increasing the number of antibody producing cells. Enhanced dietary concentrations of astaxanthin have demonstrated the ability to support healthy immunoglobulin activity and immune function. Increases immune system function including heightened production of antibody-secreting cells and Interleukin 2 and suppression of Interferon-gamma. Several tests carried out at the University of Minnesota found it enhances antibody production in mouse spleen cells by exerting actions on T-cells, especially T-helper cells.

Cancer

Astaxanthin showed potential benefits against various cancer cells in animal studies or test-tube studies. By quenching free radical production in oxidatively stressed tissues, astaxanthin can prevent the DNA damage that is required to initiate many forms of cancer. Astaxanthin inhibitsthe enzyme 5-a-reductase responsible for prostate growth and astaxanthin supplementation was proposed as a method   benign prostate hyperplasia and prostate cancer. Dietary astaxanthin was found to significantly inhibit the occurrence of colonic mucosal ulcers, dysplastic crypts, and colonic adenocarcinoma at week 20 in a study of mice.

Anti-Inflammatory

Astaxanthin possess strong anti-inflammatory properties which are beneficial for muscle and bone pains, and joint inflammations. Inflammation is an immune system response. However, excess or chronic inflammation can be damaging to our health. C-reactive protein measures general levels of inflammation in your body. C-reactive protein (CRP) is released by the body in response to acute injury, infection, or other inflammatory stimuli. A study was done in 2006 on the effects of Astaxanthin on CRP levels. After 3 months of taking Astaxanthin supplements, 43% of the treatment group had low enough levels of CRP to take them out of the high risk category. The double-blind study by an independent research group of 15 subjects taking astaxanthin and eight subjects taking placebo found that subjects who took astaxanthin for 56 days showed an average decrease in their measured CRP levels of over 20%.  A health survey of 247 astaxanthin users showed that over 80 percent of those reporting back pain and symptoms from osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis reported an improvement from supplementing with astaxanthin. Astaxanthin has been shown to be a viable alternative to anti-inflammatories such as aspirin, acetaminophen and the prescription drug Celebrex.

Heart

Astaxanthin is a very good tonic for the heart. In laboratory studies, astaxanthin improves endothelial function, allowing arteries to respond normally to stimuli that get them to relax. To carry out their research, the Japanese scientists recruited 61 people, aged 25-60 years, with mildly abnormal blood lipids. The results showed that the 12 and 18 mg per day doses of astaxanthin reduced the participant’s triglyceride levels by 25% and 24%, respectively. Another potential benefit for cardiovascular health may be Astaxanthin abilityto decrease blood pressure.

Eye Health

Recently several published clinical studies have shown a link between astaxanthin intake and the reduction of eye fatigue. A study by Nakamura, demonstrated significant improvements in reducing asthenopia and positive accommodation in 4 mg per day and 12 mg per day groups. Another study showed that astaxanthin is effective in preventing ameliorating retinal injury and the degeneration of photoreceptors due to ageing. A study by Nagaki, demonstrated that subjects  who received 5 mg astaxanthin per day for one month showed a %54 reduction of eye fatigue complaints.

Alzheimer’s  Disease

Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, a general term for memory loss and other intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. Many studies indicate that astaxanthin may be a potential candidate to treat neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson disease. Astaxanthin exhibits exceptionally potent free-radical scavenging activity, and protects your cells, organs and body tissues from oxidative damage. Recent research has validated astaxanthin’s ability to protect our central nervous system. Research conducted by Japanese scientists shows that an antioxidant called astaxanthin prevents the build-up of dangerous compounds linked to neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s.

Ulcers

The formation of ulcers in the stomach is part of an inflammatory process that astaxanthin can protect one from. Experimental studies have shown that using astaxanthin is protective against the development of ulcer disease due to a variety of factors. Extract out of algae that have astaxanthin is noticed to help in alleviating the pain due to gastric ulcers while reducing the inflammation at the same time. Animal research shows that high levels of astaxanthin might both prevent and treat gastric ulcers, according to an article in the  2008 issue of the European Journal of Pharmacology.  Scandinavian researchers have found that astaxanthin reduces gastric inflammation and bacterial load.

Infertility

Oxidative stress reduces the sperm quality which can cause infertility. As an antioxidant, Astaxanthin may be helpful in reversing or improving damage to sperm caused by oxidative damage. A clinical study involving 30 men showed that taking 16 mg daily of astaxanthin increased sperm motility and other measured sperm parameters. In the astaxanthin group, 54,5 % of the couples were pregnant within three month meanwhile only 5,4% in the placebo group had a baby.

UV Radiation

UV radiation from sunlight is the most potent environmental risk factor in skin cancer pathogenesis. Astaxanthin protects the cells from oxidation and UV- radiation. In a 1998 study with rats, astaxanthin was found to be 100 times stronger than beta-carotene and 1000 times stronger than lutein in preventing UVA light-induced oxidative stress. Astaxanthin is more efficient than other carotenoids in protecting the skin from UV damage, according to recent in vitro study findings. Unlike other lesser antioxidants, Astaxanthin captures and eliminates free radicals by binding them to its molecular structure.

Astaxanthin Food Sources

Astaxanthin is derived from Haematococcus pluvialis microalgae and cultivated under highly controlledconditions. Lobster, shrimp, crab, crawfish and other crustaceans are very high in astaxanthin. Fish such as rainbow trout,  salmon, pink salmon and red bream are great sources of astaxanthin thanks to their diet. Analyses have shown that wild Atlantic salmon have between 3 and 11 mg astaxanthin per kilogram in muscle. Red peppers, and other red-pigmented vegetables and fruits contain astaxanthin.

Astaxanthin Dosage

Recommended dosages range from 2-8 mg/day for preventive measures up to. Higher doses up to 20 mg have been shown to be tolerated, but have not been studied beyond 2 weeks. (One human study noted no side effects with 21 mg daily but was only 2 weeks in duration). Astaxanthin has been found to be a very potent lipid soluble antioxidant through in vitro and ex vivo studies. Since astaxanthin is fat-soluble, it is best taken with a meal that contains fat. Synthetic Astaxanthin is produced from petrochemicals. Natural Astaxanthin is biosynthesized by living microalgae (H. Pluvialis) whereas. Natural Astaxanthin possesses greater biological activity than the artificial synthetic Astaxanthin. Synthetic astaxanthin still dominates farmed salmon industry worldwide. Synthetic astaxanthin fetches $2000 per kg, while the natural product is sold for over $7000 per kg.