Last update July 11, 2017

Bromelains

Compatible

Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.

It is a glycoprotein which is extracted from pineapple (Ananas comosus, Ananas sativos) and other fruits with a protease-like property (see specific info) and activity as proteolytic-like enzyme with the ability of protein digestion.

It is used in the food industry to softening the meat. 



In medicine no proven utility has been shown. Effectiveness as an anti-inflammatory and digestive-enhancer is dubious. It has been topically used on local inflammations and burns.



It has been proposed for oral treatment of breast plethora (Murata 1965), yet there has been an only isolated and very old study which does not constitute an enough evidence to widely recommend it (Snowden 2007, ABM 2016).
The few studies on oral protease utilization to alleviate breast plethora found out discordant results wiht low levels of evidence (ABM 2016, Mangesi 2016).



At latest update no published data were found on its excretion into breastmilk.

Because of a high molecular weight and a non-significant plasma level concentration (5 micrograms / L) the passage into breastmilk is seemingly unlikely.


See below the information of this related product:

  • Proteases (Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.)

Alternatives

We do not have alternatives for Bromelains since it is relatively safe.

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

Jose Maria Paricio, Founder & President of APILAM/e-Lactancia

Your contribution is essential for this service to continue to exist. We need the generosity of people like you who believe in the benefits of breastfeeding.

Thank you for helping to protect and promote breastfeeding.

José María Paricio, founder of e-lactancia.

Other names

Bromelains is also known as


Bromelains in other languages or writings:

Tradenames

Main tradenames from several countries containing Bromelains in its composition:

Pharmacokinetics

Variable Value Unit
Oral Bioavail. Baja - Low %
Molecular weight 33.200 daltons
6 - 9 hours

References

  1. FDA. U.S. Food & Drug Administration Part 184.1- Substances added directly to human food affirmed as generally recognized as safe (GRAS). CFR. 2023 Consulted on Dec. 12, 2023 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  2. Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine. Protocolo Clínico de la ABM #20, revisión 2016: Congestión Mamaria. Breastfeed Medicine. 2016 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  3. Mangesi L, Zakarija-Grkovic I. Treatments for breast engorgement during lactation. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016 Jun 28;(6):CD006946. Abstract Full text (link to original source)
  4. Berens P, Brodribb W. ABM Clinical Protocol #20: Engorgement, Revised 2016. Breastfeed Med. 2016 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  5. Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine. Protocolo Clínico de la ABM #20, revisión 2009: Congestión Mamaria. Breastfeed Med. 2009 Full text (in our servers)
  6. Snowden HM, Renfrew MJ, Woolridge MW. WITHDRAWN: Treatments for breast engorgement during lactation. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2007 Abstract
  7. Castell JV, Friedrich G, Kuhn CS, Poppe GE. Intestinal absorption of undegraded proteins in men: presence of bromelain in plasma after oral intake. Am J Physiol. 1997 Abstract
  8. Murata T, Hanzawa M, Nomura Y. The clinical effects of "protease complex" on postpartum breast engorgement (based on the double blind method). J Jpn Obstet Gynecol Soc. 1965 Abstract

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