Bromelain is a good as Voltaren for Pain

I have used and recommended Bromelain as a supplement for years, but did you know that a significant double-blind clinical trial¹ found out that there was no measurable difference between taking Voltaren (Diclofenac) and Bromelain for pain?

Solgar's Bromelain is a sourced from pineapple that has many and varied functions as a health supplement.
Bromelain is a general name for a family of natural protein digesting enzymes enzymes obtained from the pineapple plant. Bromelain has anti-inflammatory, wound healing, anti-platelet aggregation, mucolytic, protein digesting, and immune enhancing properties. Bromelain comes from the pineapple plant, whereas Papain comes from the paw-paw plant and is similar in action and also beneficial for a most efficient protein digestion and absoprtion.
 

• Bromelain when taken with meals supports the healthy digestion of protein, especially beneficial for those experiencing digestive discomfort after eating. Good product for meat eaters or those who eat plenty of high protein meals.
• Bromelain when taken between meals targets very different areas, specifically joint comfort, wound healing and recovery from sports injuries as well as mucus build up in the sinuses and respiratory system.

Bromelain Indications:
 

• Bromelain inhibits blood platelet aggregation, favorably modulates prostaglandin formation and minimises risk of coronary atherosclerotic disease.
• Bromelain continues to provide a desired physiological action for as long as it is administered, with no evidence indicating that a tolerance develops.
• Bromelain is considered to be non-toxic and lacking in side effects, so it can be used without concern in doses from 200 to 2000 mg for prolonged periods of time.
• Bromelain is a protein and seems to be as easily metabolized as other dietary proteins.
• Bromelain is well absorbed and seems to have greater therapeutic impact when administered orally as opposed to intravenously.
•  While effective for inflammation and injury, Bromelain is even more effective if administered prior to a traumatic event, i.e. surgery or athletic competition.
• Bromelain seems to enhance the absorption of and improve the action of other substances when they are administered in combination.
• Bromelain may assist in generating an acute-stage healing response because of its impact on the cytokine system, particularly IL-1 and TNF, which stimulate fever and acute phase response.

Clinical applications
 

• Healing response: assists in the acute healing response², trauma, inflammation, bruising, tissue swelling. While effective for inflammation and injury, it is even more effective if administered prior to a traumatic event, i.e. surgery or athletic competition.
• Circulation: angina, deep vein thrombosis, cellulites, thrombophlebitis.
• Respiratory infections: chronic bronchitis, asthma.
• Gastrointestinal: Enhances protein digestion, pancreatic insufficiency. Effective product for inflammatory bowel disease³.
• Female: Pain associated with menstruation.
• Other: Bromelain helps to potentiate antibiotics.

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1. - Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2006 Jan-Feb;24(1):25-30. Rehabilitation Centre for Cardiovascular and Rheumatic Diseases, Saalfelden, Germany. Klein G, Kullich W, Schnitker J, Schwann H.

STUDY: Efficacy and tolerance of an oral enzyme (Bromelain) in painful osteoarthritis of the hip. A double-blind, randomised study comparing oral enzymes with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

CONCLUSION: No real difference between Bromelain and Voltaren 100 mg/day, implying an equal benefit-risk relation between the substances.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to establish the clinical significance of an oral enzyme therapy (Bromelain) as compared to the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) diclofenac (DC or Voltaren) in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip. METHODS: Ninety patients presenting with painful episodes of OA of the hip were treated for 6 weeks in one study centre in a phase III, randomised, double blind, parallel group trial. Altogether, 45 patients were treated in the Bromelain group and 45 patients were treated in the Diclofenac group. Primary efficacy criteria were: WOMAC dimensions pain, joint stiffness and function, and Lequesne index as multiple endpoint according to O'Brien.  With regard to drug tolerability some tendencies in favour of PE were detected. However, in this study there was no real difference between Bromelain and Voltaren 100 mg/day, implying an equal benefit-risk relation between the substances. PE may well be recommended for the treatment of patients with osteoarthritis of the hip with signs of inflammation as indicated by a high pain level. PMID: 16539815 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

References

2. - Onken JE, Greer PK, Calingaert B, et al. Bromelain treatment decreases secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines by colon biopsies in vitro. Clinical Immunology (2008) 126, 345–352.