Pineapple for Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain

Rheumatoid arthritis causes inflammation of the lining of the joints. The inflammation causes swelling, joint stiffness and pain. Pineapple can be beneficial for helping with most types of arthritis pain because it can reduce inflammation.

Bromelain

• Bromelain, an enzyme found in pineapple, is an anti-inflammatory agent that reduces swelling to lessen pain.

Function

• The bromelain in pineapples blocks the production of prostaglandins, which the body produces in reaction to inflammation. Prostaglandins also cause pain.

Expert Insight

• According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, a combination of bromelain, rutoside and trypsin can be as effective as NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen. Trypsin is a digestive enzyme, and rutoside is a bioflavonoid extracted from buckwheat or eucalyptus leaves.

Misconceptions

• According to Dole.com, fresh pineapples, especially the stems, are the only source of bromelain aside from supplements. The bromelain is lost when fresh pineapple is converted to pasteurized juice.

Supplement Dosage

• The German E Commission--the German equivalent of the U.S. FDA--recommends 500 to 2,000 mg of bromelain daily, divided into two doses.

Warning

• According to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, bromelain can cause blood to thin; it should be avoided by people taking anticoagulant medications.