Pineapple and Proteolytic Enzymes
Proteolytic enzymes are the reason why fresh pineapple makes your mouth feel raw. These enzymes aid digestion by breaking down proteins into amino acids. Eaten away from protein foods, these enzymes enter the blood stream where they become powerful anti-inflammatory agents. The human body produces these enzymes in the pancreas and stomach, but they are also found in fruits, including pineapple, kiwi, and papaya.
Pineapples contain the protein-digesting enzyme, bromelain. In recent years, studies have shown that bromelain acts to modulate key metabolic pathways that support malignancy. Bromelain has a direct impact on cancer cells and their micro-environment, as well as in the modulation of immune, inflammatory and blood vessel systems. Over 30 years ago, a study revealed that bromelain blocks the tumor feeding prostaglandin PGE2, which promotes inflammation and tumor growth and invasion, pain, and angiogenesis. In 2001, Norwegian neuro-oncologists introduced research demonstrating that bromelain reduces glioma migration, adhesion, and invasion into healthy tissue. Bromelain can also protect healthy brain tissue from radiation by decreasing levels of TGF-beta, a cytokine responsible for necrosis and immune system suppression. Bromelain reduces radiation side-effects including edema, skin irritation, mouth sores, swallowing issues, nausea, vomiting and associated weight loss, stomach pain, fatigue, headache, depression, and improves mental function.
The anti-fibrinolytic properties help reduce incidence of metastases, scar tissue and necrosis. Pineapple contains many vitamins, minerals and antioxidants but is particularly high in vitamin C, and manganese. Pineapple offers so many incredibly beneficial qualities. Add a serving a day, 15-20 minutes before a meal.
If you live in the US, you are welcome to create an account and order from my supplement dispensary, FullScript. Please message me if you need help choosing a good quality product.
If you live outside the US and would like to order a good quality Bromelain product, please reach out.
This piece was created in collaborative partnership with Alicia Brabazon-Curtin, https://www.aliciacurtincoaching.com