Bromelain 2000GDU 500mg 120capsules - Organika

Derived from fresh pineapples, Organika's bromelain provides a highly active enzyme product with 2000GDU of disolving power. Practitioner recommended for improving digestion and reducing inflammation. Easy to swallow capsule. 

Bromelain - Pineapple Enzyme Complex 

The bromelains are a group of naturally occurring protein-digestive (proteolytic) enzymes.  They are found in the stem of the pineapple.  Other components of the stem, including various enzymes and calcium, are also present in commercial bromelain preparations.  Besides being used as a protein digestive aid, the enzymes in bromelain inhibit inflammatory chemicals called prostaglandins.  The anti-inflammatory effect has been studied for its effectiveness in inflammatory conditions like arthritis and sinusitis.

In order to get substantial amounts of bromelain from pineapple you must eat the fibrous stem, therefore it is much easier to use a supplement form.  Bromelain can be purchased in capsules.  Enteric-coated capsules limit the use of bromelain in food digestion.  They have been studied, with mixed results, for anti-inflammatory conditions.  Bromelain is found as a component of digestive, multi-enzyme or anti-inflammatory formulas.  Supplements should be standardized as an assurance of the enzyme activity of the preparation.

What does GDU & MCU mean?
 
GDU (gelatin digesting unit) and MCU (milk clotting units) are two standard ways to measure enzyme activity. The measurement of activity is based on how much one gram of the enzyme will digest. Usually the two measurements are in a 2:3 ratio. The higher the number of GDU's and MCU's, the greater the enzyme activity of the product.

Good Digestion is the key to Health

Indigestion is caused by an inability to breakdown and absorb food.  It has probably affected everyone at least once and, most likely, after a Thanksgiving dinner.   It is usually directly related to the type of food eaten and poor eating habits.

Chronic indigestion may be related to lack of bile, stomach acid and enzymes, or food sensitivities.  It occurs more commonly as we age because our production of digestive enzymes and stomach acid decreases.  Indigestion symptoms include, a burning sensation in the stomach or chest, a heavy sensation, belching, flatulence, bloating, nausea and decreased appetite.

Conventional treatment of indigestion involves symptomatic treatment, usually with antacids.   Prolonged use of antacids can cause mineral imbalances because they contain large amounts of sodium, aluminum, calcium and magnesium.  Excess sodium can worsen hypertension and aluminum has been connected to Alzheimer’s disease.  Antacids also change the pH of the stomach so that food is improperly broken down, actually leading to worse indigestion.  Drugs to suppress acid production are also prescribed.  Long-term use of these medicines can damage the stomach lining, leading to tumour formation.  Other side effects include impotence or breast enlargement.

It is important when you experience chronic digestive symptoms like heart burn that you support the health of your stomach, intestinal, and esophogeal lining.  The flare up, absence, or reflux of acid can damage the lining of the gut, creating further digestive challenges, in particular leaky gut in which undigested food particles leak out from the intestines and then into the blood stream.

To prevent indigestion eat small meals, chew well and eat slowly so that you do not swallow excess air.  Relax and enjoy the smell and taste of food.  This will stimulate the release of digestive juices.  Do not drink liquids while eating because it dilutes digestive juices.  Avoid foods that are extremely hot or cold.  Avoid things that increase stomach acidity like alcohol, coffee, tea, colas, tobacco, aspirin, ibuprofen and spicy foods.  If you have low stomach acid take lemon juice or take apple cider vinegar with your meals.  Avoid any foods that you are sensitive to.  An elimination or rotation diet may be necessary to uncover specific food allergens.  Combinations of certain foods can also be difficult to digest.  Use food-combining guidelines to make digestion easier.

You Can Support Digestive Health By:

 Chewing food completely.
 Eating several small meals daily instead of three large meals.
 Avoiding fluids with meals.
 Eating a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables.
 Avoiding refined, processed foods.
 Not overeating; eat until 80% full.
 Taking a HCL supplement before meals.
 Supplementing with Probiotics.
 Taking digestive enzyme during or after meals.