Who Can Benefit from this Product?
Bromelain can be used by anyone pursuing better digestion or seeking a healthy inflammation response.* May also be a helpful adjuvant to wound-healing and with minor sports injuries.*

How Does Each Active Ingredient Function in this Product?
Bromelain: A protein-digesting enzyme that enhances the digestion and assimilation of food.* It has also been shown to be beneficial to the cardiovascular and immune systems.*

Proteolytic Enzyme Support
Bromelain is a protein-digesting enzyme which is present naturally in pineapple sap and in the pineapple stem. Much smaller amounts are found in the fruit. Bromelain is classified as a proteolytic enzyme because of its ability to digest proteins. Due to its ability to spare the body’s own store of proteolytic enzymes, bromelain supplementation may positively affect protein turnover rates in the body; this influence extends to the proteins found in joint tissues and in the muscles.*

Bromelain has a long history of use in folk medicine traditions of the Pacific Rim. This mixture of compounds (bromelain A and B) extracted from the stem of the pineapple (Ananas comosus) has been used in herbal healing traditions dating back to the 17th century to address different ailments and complaints.

Digestion and Assimilation
Bromelain, because of its tolerance of both acidic and alkaline conditions, is active in the stomach as well as in the small intestine. This means that the extract can be taken at the beginning or the end of a meal and yet remain effective as an aid to digesting proteins.* Its robust pH tolerance is also important for bromelain’s use by the elderly. As we age, our ability to secrete hydrochloric acid in the stomach declines. Therefore, much of the digestive activity that takes place under acidic conditions in younger stomachs begins to occur under progressively more alkaline conditions as we age. This impairs protein digestion. Because bromelain is active under both acid and alkaline conditions, it is superbly suited for helping older individuals to digest protein-based foods.*

Additional Benefits
Bromelain may promote a healthy inflammation response by stimulating the production of “active peptides” that increase levels of anti-inflammatory prostaglandins (PGs).* One problem with modern diets can be large amounts of omega-6 fatty acids, such as those found in corn and many seed oils. Excess omega-6 fatty acids can increase the body’s production of inflammation-producing compounds which are members of certain classes of prostaglandins and eicosanoids. Bromelain can help to re-establish balance by promoting the production of anti-inflammatory prostaglandins, eicosanoids and related compounds.* Likewise, bromelain has been shown to support cardiovascular health by promoting healthy platelet function and healthy levels of fibrinogen.* Finally, scientific evidence indicates that bromelain may support a healthy immune system by the production of specific cytokines and its affect on T-cell activity.*

Quality And Potency
The potency of bromelain is measured in gelatin digesting units (GDUs) per gram. When evaluating and purchasing bromelain, consumers should always look for a GDU rating, per serving. For example, when there is a “1000 GDU” claim on a label, there may be confusion as to whether this 1000 GDU is provided by a single 500 mg tablet or capsule or, as is often the case, in one gram of raw material. If this reference is 1000 GDU per gram, a 500 mg tablet/ capsule (or up to 700 mg with excipients) contains only 500 GDU of bromelain. Jarrow Formulas® Bromelain products are always accurate to their label claim.

Usage
Take 1 to 2 tablets of Jarrow Formulas’ Bromelain 1000, as a dietary supplement, with food or as directed by your qualified health consultant. In special cases of enzyme need, Bromelain 1000 may be taken between meals on an empty stomach except by individuals with ulcers. Those individuals who are allergic to pineapple, honeybee stings or olive tree pollen should use this supplement only under the supervision of a licensed health practitioner.

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