8/10/2019 Antiinflamatory Benefits of Turmeric &
Bromelain
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R E S E A R C H I N F O R M A T I O N
This information is provided for educational purposes only, and
is not intended for self-diagnosis or self-treatment of conditions
that should be assessed and treated by yourhealth care
practitioner. While the information contained in this document has
been carefully reviewed and reflects current clinical and
scientific knowledge, it is subject to change. All rights reserved
Natural Factors Nutritional Products Ltd. Enquiries:
[email protected] 27548 June 9, 2009 Pg 1 of 2 Where
Great Health Be
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY BENEFITS OF
TURMERIC AND BROMELAIN
Turmeric and bromelain are two anti-inflammatory bota-nicals
that are safe and effective. When combined, theirsynergistic power
is impressive. Natural Factors Turmeric& Bromelain is the
botanical complement to glucosaminesulfate providing additional
support for aching musclesand joints. Both turmeric and bromelain
reduce swellingand limit the inflammatory process, making them
benefi-cial for acute and chronic inflammation. The turmeric
and bromelain combination may be indicated for avariety of
inflammatory conditions ranging from injuries,sprains, strains,
tendonitis, and post-surgical inflam-mation, to arthritis and gout.
While these herbs comple-ment each other, they have been
successfully used aloneto heal inflammation.
HOW TURMERIC CAN HELP INFLAMMATION
(CURCUMA LONGA)
Most of us know turmeric as the pumpkin-coloured spicefound in
curry powder. However, in Eastern cultures tur-meric is also a
revered medicinal herb and holds an hon-ourable place in Indias
traditional Ayurvedic medicine. A
perennial herb related to ginger, turmeric is
extensivelycultivated in India, China and Indonesia. In Ayurvedic
andTraditional Chinese Medicine, turmeric is used to treat anumber
of conditions, ranging from toothache, flatulence,colic, jaundice,
to menstrual difficulties. Turmeric poulticesare applied to relieve
pain and inflammation.
The primary constituents in turmeric that inhibit inflam-mation
are curcumin and its analogs. Not only does cur-cumin directly
check inflammation by inhibiting leukot-rienes and thromboxanes, it
also has an indirect anti-inflammatory effect. It seems to make the
body moresensitive to its own steroids, potentiating their
inflamma-tion fighting capability, while it prevents the breakdown
of
cortisone, the bodys anti-inflammatory hormone. As
anantioxidant, curcumin also helps to stabilize membranesthat are
being damaged by inflammation.
While curcumin is not a direct analgesic, it comparesfavourably
with powerful prescription anti-inflammatorydrugs, such as
phenylbutazone and other non-steroidalanti-inflammatory drugs
(NSAIDS), but without theirwell-known adverse effects. In a double
blind clinical trial,rheumatoid arthritis patients were given
curcumin (1,200mg per day) or phenylbutazone (300 mg per day). In
both
groups, walking time, joint swelling and morning
stiffnessimproved. (Deodhar)
TURMERICS SAFETY RECORD
Eastern cultures liberally use turmeric as a spice, so it hasan
excellent safety record. It is not coincidence that anti-microbial
turmeric is generously used in cultures wherelack of refrigeration
and hot climates spoil food quickly.Of the two species of turmeric
used medically, it is Curcumalonga, higher in curcumin content,
that is concentrated and
standardized. The turmeric of choice is Curcuma longa,whose
curcumin content can be concentrated, standardizedand guaranteed at
95%... Some medicinal value is bound toaccrue from turmeric,
sprinkled liberally on all kinds offoods, and included in curry.
But medicinal value is betterassured when guaranteed potency
extracts of turmericare taken internally in capsules. (Mowrey)
Natural FactorsTurmeric & Bromelain is standardized to contain
a mini-mum 95% curcumin. (Deodhar)
HOW DOES BROMELAIN HELP INFLAMMATION?
Bromelain is one of the most popular natural agents inuse.
Because of its ability to impact many aspects of
inflammation, it is used predominantly in cases of
injury,sprains, strains, arthritis, and other inflammatory
condi-tionsIt is especially effective alone or in combinationwith
curcumin in reducing the need for corticosteroids(such as
prednisone) in rheumatoid arthritis. (Murray)
Bromelain, the proteolytic (protein digesting) enzymefound in
pine- apple, helps sore joints, bruises and otherinjuries. By
blocking the bodys production of kinins,bromelain reduces swelling
and promotes healing. Brome-lains most common application is in the
treatment ofinflammation and soft tissue injuries. It has been
shown tospeed healing from bruises and hematomas. Treatmentwith
bromelain following blunt injuries to the musculosk-
eletal system results in a clear reduction in swelling, pain
atrest and during movement, and tenderness. Administrationof
bromelain pre-surgically can reduce the average numberof days for
complete disappearance of pain and inflamma-tion. (Bromelain
monograph)
Almost 40 years ago, a study was done using bromelain for75
injured boxers. For 58 of the boxers taking bromelain,all signs of
bruising had cleared up within four days.(Blonstein)
TURMERIC & BROMELAINDigestive Aid
8/10/2019 Antiinflamatory Benefits of Turmeric &
Bromelain
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This information is provided for educational purposes only, and
is not intended for self-diagnosis or self-treatment of conditions
that should be assessed and treated by your
health care practitioner. While the information contained in
this document has been carefully reviewed and reflects current
clinical and scientific knowledge, it is subject to change. All
rights reserved Natural Factors Nutritional Products Ltd.
Enquiries: [email protected] 27548 June 9, 2009 Pg 2
of 2
TURMERIC & BROMELAIN
Where Great Health Be
RESEARCHINFORMATION
TURMERIC AND BROMELAIN: THEYWORK BEST TOGETHER
While research and the historical useof both herbs show they
exert consid-erable anti-inflammatory action, it ispreferable to
use them together forbest effect. One reason is that only
60% of turmeric is actually absorbed.To improve absorption,
herbalistsoften recommend turmeric to be takenwith a proteolytic
enzyme such asbromelain.
DOSAGE AND SAFETY
The dosage for Turmeric & Bromelainis one to two capsules,
three times aday. To benefit from their anti-inflam-matory power,
it is best to take cap-sules between meals. To benefit fromthis
combination as a digestive aid,take the capsules with meals.
Even very high doses of turmeric andits alcohol extracts have
not producedany side effects in animals. To bene-fit from turmerics
medicinal effectexperts recommend at least 250 to500 mg of curcumin
(the active in-gredient) per day. Persons on prescrip-tion blood
thinning medication maywant to be cautious with turmericbecause it
also contains blood thin-ning components. Work closely withyour
health care practitioner. andfrequently have your blood tested.
Bromelain also has very low toxicity.In tests on animals,
bromelain showedno toxic effects at extremely highdoses for six
months. Other animalstudies show no carcinogenic orteratogenic
effects from bromelain.Although only 160 mg of bromelain aday can
be therapeutic, it is safe andhelpful to take in doses up to1,000
mg/day.
TURMERIC & BROMELAIN
DOUBLES AS A DIGESTIVE AIDWhether one suffers from achingjoints
or not, the Turmeric & Brome-lain combination doubles as
anexcellent digestive aid. Historically,turmeric has been used for
liver
support. It stimulates bile productionfrom the liver, helping
digestion. As aproteolytic enzyme, bromelain aidsdigestion and is
especially helpful forpancreatic insufficiency. This combina-tion
might work well for people whooften have bloating, gassiness,
andindigestion after they eat. Try a capsuleor two with your meals
and see if itmakes a difference.
NATURAL WAYS TO EASE THOSEACHING JOINTS
Turmeric & Bromelain are superioranti-inflammatory
botanicals. Theywork well together, have almost noside effects and
are an excellentadjunct to glucosamine sulfate andchondroitin
sulfate. However, theseherbs and nutrients should be onlyone facet
of a comprehensive program
that includes diet, exercise, stress-man-agement and adequate
rest.
KEY REFERENCESBlonstein J., Control of swelling in boxing
injuries,
Practitioner, 1960; 203: 206
Bromelain Monograph, Alternative Medicine Review, 1998;
vol 3, no 4, p 302-305
Deodhar S.D., et al.,Preliminary studies on anti-rheumatic
activity of curcumin (Diferuloyl Methane), lnd J Med
Res1980;
71: 632-634
Mowrey D.B., Guaranteed Potency Herbs: Next Generation
Herbal Medicine, Keats Publishing; 1990
Murray M.T., The Healing Power of Herbs: the enlightened
persons guide to the wonders of medicinal plants, Prima
Publishing; 1995
