"Very high quality bromelain -works great on an empty stomach.
Bromelain is a protein-digesting (proteolytic) enzyme complex found in the fruit and, in higher concentrations, in the stem of the pineapple (Ananas comosus). It is able to hydrolyze or break down a wide variety of protein types in a range of both acid and alkaline environments.

Originally isolated in the late 1800s, bromelain can play a key role in digestion, and perhaps more importantly, its properties have prompted many practitioners to use it as an agent in wound healing and the prevention of illness and irritation decades.

What Does Bromelain Do?

Put simply, bromelain breaks down protein. This has fairly obvious benefits when you consider that many of the foods you eat contain high amounts of protein and they have been thoroughly cooked, destroying most of the naturally occurring enzymes. As a proteolytic enzyme it assists the body’s own digestive mechanisms in reducing very large, complex protein molecules into smaller peptide units or individual amino acids.

These smaller components are crucial for your own production of muscle, neurotransmitters, and other protein-based molecules that your body produces. Many of bromelain’s benefits; however, are actually based on absorption of the intact enzyme in the small intestine; it is this absorption makes possible its systemic effects such as reducing redness.

The Health Benefits of Bromelain
Traditionally societies in South America have used pineapples to reduce digestive upset and reduce irrtation. Here are some of the other amazing health benefits of this enzyme, as well as the studies that support the benefits of bromelain:

1. Swelling and Redness

Bromelain was approved in Europe as an effective remedy for swelling after surgery. Research shows that the bromelain enzyme may lower swelling, stop bruising, speed up healing time, and reduce discomfort in individuals following surgical procedures. One double-blind study of over 150 women who received episiotomies (surgical cuts in the perineum) during childbirth, found that women given large servings of oral bromelain over a period of 3 days, beginning 4 hours after delivery, showed a huge decrease in swelling, and discomfort. Ninety percent of women taking the supplement showed excellent recovery compared to 44% of women in the placebo group.

2. Sinus Discomfort

Bromelain is one of the most popular supplements in European countries such as Germany, where it is commonly used for sinus discomfort. Some research suggests that bromelain was effective at reducing discomfort and swelling.

3. Topical Applications for Burns

Due to its beneficial properties, bromelain is currently being studied for topical applications for burns. Recent lab studies on animals show that bromelain helps slough off dead tissue from third-degree burns. Other studies shows its effective topical use in people with second- and third-degree burns.

4. Insect Bites and Stings

Bromelain may be applied topically to lower swelling and reduce discomfort associated with insect bites and stings.

5. Reduced Swelling After Sports Injuries

Studies show that bromelain may speed up healing time after a physical or sports injury. Taking it has been linked to reduced swelling related to sprains, strains, bruises, and other minor muscle injuries.

6. Osteoarthritis

Bromelain may also help relieve mild discomfort related to osteoarthritis. In fact, it is a common ingredient in most natural supplements for sore joints and muscles.

7. Varicose Veins and Hemorrhoids

This enzyme has been used in alternative medicine to promote cardiovascular health and hemorrhoids and other conditions of the veins.

8. Sinusitis

There are several studies that suggest bromelain may help reduce coughing and lessen mucus related to sinusitis, as well as reduce the swelling and redness that accompany hay fever. The German Commission E approved the bromelain enzyme for aiding imbalances of the ear, nose and throat that occur after surgery. It is also approved for reducing general sinus infection swelling.

9. Indigestion and Heartburn

Because of its protease capacities, this enzyme may reduce indigestion and heartburn. Studies show that it is particularly effective when used in combination with other enzymes like amylase (which digests carbohydrates) and lipase (which digests fat). Other studies show its ability to reduce bloating, gas and other symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

10. Helps Balance the Acidity of the Stomach

Research shows that Bromelain can help balance the acidity of the stomach, as well as the alkalinity of the small intestine. A recent lab study confirms that this enzyme may help ease harmful organism related diarrhea. Another study suggests that it may be an up-and-coming natural remedy for IBD (inflammatory bowel disease)

11. May Boost Overall Immune Strength

Bromelain may boost overall immune strength in the human body. One German clinical study of 16 breast cancer patients found that oral supplementation of bromelain could help stimulate immune function in women. Other studies suggest that it may also boost the amount of certain immune system hormones, called cytokines (made in our white blood cells). Recent studies suggest that bromelain may help relieve some of the standard cancer side effects related to lowered immunity.

12. May Stop Blood Platelets From Clotting

Several laboratory and animal studies suggest that bromelain may stop blood platelets from clotting. This is exciting research in the direction of its effects on heart health.

13. Bronchitis, Pneumonia and Urinary Tract Infections

Animal studies suggest that bromelain possesses action against harmful organisms, and it may be effective for ailments resulting from their presence.

Understanding the Units of Measurement for Bromelain on a supplement label

Bromelain is a plant-source Protease whose activity is measured in PU (Papain Units). One FCC-PU (Plant Proteolytic Analytical Method) is defined in the assay as that quantity of enzyme that liberates the equivalent of 1 µg (microgram) of tyrosine per hour under the conditions of the assay. This procedure is also determines the proteolytic activity of ficin and bromelain. It is based on a 60 minute proteolytic hydrolysis of a casein substrate at pH 6.0 and 40°C. Soluble casein is then measured spectrophotometrically at 280nm. The FCC notation stands for Foods Chemical Codex, and is a division of USP (United States Pharmacopeia). It sets standards for ingredients. In the case of enzymes, FCC is a standard assay used to accurately determine the activity of enzymes. The current compendium is FCC VI.

Bromelain can be standardized on supplement labels as gelatin digesting units (GDU/gram), milk clotting units (MCU), Rorer units (RU), Bromelain Tyrosine Units (BTU/ gram), Casein Digestion Units (CDU/mg) or FIP units.

Example: Bromelain at 1000 GDU/g would be equal to a 15,000,000 FCC PU/g potency."

"I have trigger finger, where the tendons in my hand get swollen and my fingers get "stuck" while bending. It's very painful, and a doctor told me the only way to cure it was to have surgery where he would cut two of the three tendons in my finger. I asked why I had three tendons if only 1 was necessary, and he assured me it was fine. I asked about other natural treatments, and (of course) he said there were none.

I didn't believe him and googled trigger finger (aka hammer thumb) natural treatments. I landed on using finger splints at night, taking high quality magnesium, turmeric, p5p (B6 vitamin) and bromelain (on an empty stomach). The empty stomach is necessary for the bromelain to work, so I was interested in this enteric coated bromelain. After trying both this and normal less-expensive bromelain in capsules, I can say there is no difference in the effect as long as you take them on an empty stomach. That makes these bromelain tablets not worth the extra expense, since a bottle of bromelain in capsules costs about $10 at Vitamin Shoppe.

The only difference I did notice is that cheap bromelain in capsules works in about 10 minutes, while these tablets take about 30 minutes. You wouldn't think this is possible, but I can FEEL my fingers loosen up in the mornings after I take bromelain before breakfast, and these definitely took longer to work.

If you're taking bromelain on an empty stomach for tendon inflammation or back pain, save some money and buy the inexpensive capsules. If you have to take these with food because you can't remember to do it before you eat, I guess these might be good for you, but I'd rather save the money."

"I often take digestive enzymes when I eat, but I do not use this product for digesting food in my stomach. I resist taking pills and capsules; but of all of the pills and capsules that I could take, the ones that I am most likely to take on a fairly regular basis are enzyme capsules for digesting my meals/snack/drinks and this enzyme tablet to do some interior cleansing.

I take this enteric coated tablet on an empty stomach with about 12 ounces of water whether I am taking it in the morning or the evening.

I am likely to take it first thing in the morning after fasting all night. That way, it can go in and clean out/digest particles of food and debris that has not been absorbed into the bloodstream or is moving sluggishly down the digestive track. It may also enter the blood stream and digest some of the particles of debris that find their way into the blood: undigested debris that may otherwise cause joint inflammation. However it works I cannot say for sure, but I know the results I experience are consistent with results that multitudes of other people have expressed. I am in good company.

When I take the LEF enteric coated tablet of Bromelain on a fairly consistent basis first thing in the mornings with my 12 ounces of water, I experience great freedom from joint distress. The side effect is an increase of energy.

When I experience occasional indigestion in the evenings, I find relief when I take one or two enteric coated tablets of LEF Bromelain with about 12 ounces of water.

Indigestion has been known to occur when I have failed to take digestive enzyme capsules with my meal and/or when I have been eating junk food. Junk food is poison disguised as "food for humans"; toxic products that strip vitamins, minerals, and enzymes from the body. But, most of us INCLUDING ME succumb to the hazardous evils of eating that highly marketed purveyor of death and disease known as fast foods, processed food, and sweets. These Bromelain tablets help me in the battle to stay healthy in spite of my weakness in the face of those clever but dastardly marketers of death and disease who enter my home on all forms of media and surround me when I leave my home. Wow!

I'll take this opportunity to say, "Thank you", to LEF, to Amazon, and to all of the other brave individuals and companies who help me and the American consumer at large to build an arsenal against the death and destruction that comes as a result of yielding to the siren calls of the purveyors of destruction through the food industry. "May we and you prosper and successfully overthrow any and all attacks from the enemies of good health. May you take effective and proper action in every realm to ensure the consumers' freedoms that are necessary to fight the good fight for health and happiness."

Our freedoms are under constant attack by intelligent, highly educated people in well-funded organized businesses and marketing, in addition to, by ignorant or foolish people. It is common to take freedom for granted,as if nobody would have any reason to outlaw our freedoms. But, money/greed is a strong motivator. People have been known to murder their own family members for money. Murder is against the law and sometimes punishable by death, as we all know. How much greater is the temptation to seduce the American public to kill themselves and their loved ones when the profits are great and there are no laws against intelligent, foolish, and wanton destruction of the nutritional value of our food supply?

"My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."

John F. Kennedy"