Taking an aspirin each day does more HARM than good for healthy middle-aged adults because it raises their risk of major internal bleeding

• Aspirin, a blood thinner, is regularly given to healthy people in middle age
• But a study says the harms of major internal bleeding outweigh the benefits
• King's College London scientists reviewed 13 trials of 160,000 participants 

By BEN SPENCER MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT FOR THE DAILY MAIL

PUBLISHED: 16:00 GMT, 22 January 2019 | UPDATED: 19:34 GMT, 22 January 2019

Aspirin, which is a blood thinner, is regularly given to healthy people in middle age, to lower the risk of heart problems

Healthy people who take a daily aspirin to prevent heart attacks in later life may be doing more harm than good, research suggests.

Aspirin - which is a blood thinner - has for decades been given to people diagnosed with heart disease to stop heart attacks and strokes.

But many healthy people in middle age also take the pills as an 'insurance policy' against heart problems.

A major new study, which includes data from more than 160,000 people, concludes the risk of major internal bleeding significantly outweighs the benefit of aspirin among those with no history of heart disease.

The review, led by experts at King's College London, reinforces growing evidence that aspirin should no longer be used for 'primary prevention' - the term for treatment of patients who have no symptoms of heart problems.

The researchers found among healthy people, use of aspirin saw risk of heart attack or a stroke drop 11 per cent.

But the risk of bleeding went up 43 per cent.

This means that 265 people would have to take aspirin for five years to prevent a single heart attack or stroke – but one in 210 would have a major bleed.

Study leader Dr Sean Zheng, academic clinical fellow in cardiology at King's College London, said: 'This study demonstrates that there is insufficient evidence to recommend routine aspirin use in the prevention of heart attacks, strokes and cardiovascular deaths in people without cardiovascular disease.' 

CAN TAKING ASPIRIN SLASH YOUR RISK OF CANCER? 

Taking just a quarter of an aspirin tablet a day could slash the risk of bowel cancer by a fifth, a major study concluded in March 2016.

Harvard scientists found middle-aged people who regularly took the painkillers were less likely to be diagnosed with cancer of any kind.

They found the cheap pills, which cost less than 2p per tablet, are particularly effective at warding off cancers of the digestive system.

The most dramatic impact was seen for bowel cancer, with people who took aspirin every day for six years seeing their risk drop by 19 per cent.

The experts, who tracked 136,000 people for 32 years, predicted that regular aspirin use in the US could prevent 30,000 tumours a year.

The team found the picture was more complicated for patients diabetes, who are at higher risk of heart disease and who are often prescribed aspirin.

Among these patients the risk of a heart attack or stroke also dropped 11 per cent - and the risk of bleeding went up 30 per cent.

Dr Zheng said: 'There has been more uncertainty surrounding what should be done in patients who are at higher risk of cardiovascular disease and in patients with diabetes.

'This study shows that while cardiovascular events may be reduced in these patients, these benefits are matched by an increased risk of major bleeding events.

'Aspirin use requires discussion between the patient and their physician, with the knowledge that any small potential cardiovascular benefits are weighed up against the real risk of severe bleeding.'

In the past low-dose aspirin, which is very cheap, was frequently prescribed for even healthy people in middle age to reduce heart disease.

Guidelines issued by several professional health bodies between 2005 and 2008 solidified this position, recommending routine use of aspirin for people aged 50 and older with type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure.

A decade ago a series of major studies started to reveal the risk of major bleeding, and guidelines were changed to remove the formal recommendation, but many doctors still prescribe the drugs.

Experts are also concerned many the 'worried well' who take the tablets without being aware of side-effects that can include internal bleeding.

Professor Jeremy Pearson associate medical director at the British Heart Foundation said: 'Current guidelines do not recommend aspirin for people who don't already have heart and circulatory diseases.

'This is because, while aspirin reduces these people's risk of heart attacks and strokes, any benefit is outweighed by an increased risk of bleeding.

'If you have a heart attack, your doctor will usually prescribe a daily aspirin to try and prevent a second attack. In this case, the reduced risk of a second life-threatening heart attack substantially outweighs the risk of side effects, such as bleeding.

'The risk of bleeding from aspirin is likely to differ between groups of people. Further research may well uncover subsets of people where benefits do outweigh risks, paving the way for personalised treatments.'

Professor Jane Armitage of the University of Oxford, said: 'The conclusion [in this paper] reinforces the message from those trials that, for healthy people, the small benefits of aspirin in preventing strokes and heart attacks are counter balanced by increases in the risk of serious bleeding.'

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-6619267/Daily-aspirin-does-harm-good-worried-well.html

Here's the Latest on Nattokinase

If you're ever given a blood thinner, you may first want to explore nattokinase, a supplemental derivative of natto, referred to in a recent study as a 'versatile and potent' fibrinolytic enzyme to combat blood clots far better than conventional medications. But this enzyme goes further, improving your heart function and more.

February 12, 2018

Story at-a-glance

• Nattokinase, an enzyme isolated from natto (the bacterium Bacillus subtilis, a traditional Japanese food made from fermented soybeans that has been eaten for millennia), has been found to have unique health benefits
• A recent study shows that nattokinase relieves nasal inflammation, chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and related problems like nasal polyps, which is good news since conventional interventions have proven ineffective
• Nattokinase has been shown to break down and dissolve fibrinogen, a component of blood clots and atherosclerotic plaque, which are risk factors for cardiovascular disease, and has no side effects
• Consumption of nattokinase is linked with lowering systolic and diastolic blood pressure, as well as viscosity, which in turn improves blood flow and subsequently, lowers blood pressure

By Dr. Mercola

If you’re not familiar with nattokinase, you’re not alone. CliffsNotes on the term might describe it as an enzyme that’s purified and extracted from the bacterium Bacillus subtilis (aka natto), a traditional Japanese food made from fermented soybeans and eaten for millennia. How is nattokinase significant for health? The answer is multifaceted, as it’s been found to be significant in both disease treatment and prevention.

Benefits include a dramatic effect on blood clots; more recently, research has revealed how the enzyme impacts persistent sinus conditions. Especially during colder times of the year, a common malady is nasal-related problems, which can turn into a number of variants, including sinus inflammation. The symptoms are not pleasant (few nasal problems are) and can lead to chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and/or nasal polyps.

But a recent study1 indicates that nattokinase is an effective way to deal with these and related symptoms. Natural health proponent Dr. Michael Murray says nattokinase has the ability to produce powerful effects to improve CRS, far better than conventional drugs. He explains how nattokinase is produced:

“The enzyme nattokinase is produced by adding the bacterium Bacillus natto to boiled soybeans. The bacteria try to digest the soybeans by secreting nattokinase. The most popular and scientifically studied application for nattokinase has focused on its potent fibrinolytic (‘clot-busting’) activity.

What that means is that it breaks down fibrinogen, a component of blood clots and atherosclerotic plaque. Elevated fibrinogen levels are another clear risk factor for cardiovascular disease.”2

One of the most common ways high fibrinolytic levels manifest in the body is via the development of nasal polyps, as it settles in the nasal mucous. That’s also the reason why researchers decided to determine how nattokinase might be beneficial for this condition.

What Is a Mucolytic Agent?

A mucolytic is an agent that renders mucus — the thick substance that makes spit difficult to rid your throat of when you have a cough, and often contributes to an “unproductive” cough as well —  looser and thinner, making it easier to get rid of. Most mucolytics are prescription form because they’re chemically concocted rather than being a natural substance. Further, you’ll note that drug companies producing them make it clear that taking the drugs regularly is needed for them to work properly.

Murray noted that for healthy nasal passages, sinuses and airways, it’s important for secretions to maintain elasticity and fluidity in your respiratory tract. If your mucus is too thick, it’s hard to get rid of, which promotes inflammation, blocked airways, difficulty breathing and, as a result, polyp formation. That’s where nattokinase comes in, improving these secretions and the resulting inflammation and other issues. In addition:

“This effect is similar to other enzymes such as bromelain and serrapeptidase. And, indicates that nattokinase is a strong consideration in conditions beyond CRS such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchitis, and sinusitis.”3

Background on Nattokinase: What It Is and What It Does

In 1980, Hiroyuki Sumi from Chicago University Medical School was researching the clot-busting aspects of conventional drugs and tried placing natto in a petri dish with a blood clot. In 18 hours, the blood clot dissolved — far less time than occurs with drugs prescribed for the same purpose. Later clinical studies have determined nattokinase also:

• Dissolves excess fibrin in blood vessels, which improves circulation, dissolves blood clots and reduces the risk of serious clotting, aka atherothrombotic prevention
• Increases HDL (good cholesterol), optimizes cholesterol levels and has no side effects
• Decreases blood viscosity, which in turn improves blood flow and, subsequently, lowers blood pressure
• Exerts “considerably stronger thrombolytic activity” comparable to that of another well-known blood thinner: aspirin, a remedy known to trigger bleeding and gastric ulcers 
• Can be absorbed by your intestinal tract when taken orally

Nattokinase and Decreased Blood Pressure

In 2016, researchers observed a link between the consumption of nattokinase and both lowered blood pressure and von Willebrand factor, which helps stimulate blood clotting and control bleeding after an injury. Von Willebrand disease is an inherited condition that impedes this factor (related to another clotting disorder known as hemophilia). According to the study,4 nattokinase consumption was associated with a decrease in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Incidentally, the reduction in systolic blood pressure was seen for both sexes but was more robust in males consuming nattokinase. Significantly, the researchers also noted that while a number of pharmaceutical options are available for these conditions, notably “thiazide-type diuretics, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin II receptor blockers, calcium channel blockers and beta-adrenergic blockers,”5 adverse effects can include:

• Contraindications, aka possible harm
• Synergistic effects, which can exacerbate the effects of protocols, making all combined greater than the individual effects
• Increased risk for certain individuals, such as those with diabetic nephropathy, aka kidney damage caused by diabetes, including the possibility of impaired renal function, abnormally low blood pressure (hypotension) and hyperkalemia, aka higher-than-normal blood potassium

In fact, the study notes:

“There is a growing interest in non-pharmaceutical sources of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, as well as food-based strategies for supporting cardiovascular function and specifically for reducing hypertension. Natural methods to reduce such inflammatory conditions are of interest, and dietary components of functional benefit for the hypertensive patient include essential fatty acids where cardioprotective fatty acids found in oils from fish, flax, nuts, seeds, and algae have known anti-inflammatory activities.”6

Research on Nattokinase

Studies on both animals and humans have shown how effectively nattokinase (NK) “provides support to the circulatory system by thinning the blood and dissolving blood clots.”7

• In one study, dogs with chemically induced thrombi in their major leg vein were given nattokinase capsules, and the clots dissolved within five hours.8
• A similar study on rats with induced thrombosis in their carotid artery showed “considerably stronger thrombolytic activity” and an increased blood flow of 62 percent, compared with other enzymes that exhibited 15 percent and zero percent blood flow.9
• According to Life Extension, another rat study involved nattokinase supplementation for three weeks before and after endothelial injury to the animals’ femoral arteries.10 The result was more effective thickening and dissolution of blood clots near the injury, as compared to control animals not given the supplement.11
• Because thicker blood viscosity and coagulation can raise your risk of cardiovascular disease, one study involved the administration of NK to healthy individuals as well as those with elevated cardiovascular disease factors and others undergoing dialysis, with a significant decrease in fibrinogen levels within two months.12

On long-haul flights (and vehicle travel), one risk is the development of deep vein thrombosis, or blood clots, especially when individuals fail to get up and move around. A study comparing the effects of a combination of nattokinase and pycnogenol (derived from pine bark), and a control group of participants given a placebo, resulted in five thromboses problems among the control group and zero in the NK/pycnogenol group.13

In addition, studies indicate that the longevity of Japanese who’ve been consuming natto (interestingly, one of the derivatives is vitamin K2) for thousands of years is greatly increased.14 In a far lower life form, the life span of nematodes (Caenorhabditis elegans) was also significantly extended by nattokinase.15

Nattokinase: Conventional Remedies

Previous research on nattokinase, involving a collaboration between Qingdao University in China and Northeastern State University at Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, called natto a “miracle food” and noted one of its most significant benefits: heart disease prevention.

It’s well-known in the medical world that when patients exhibit the main risks for the primary cause of death in the U.S. — cardiovascular disease (CVD) — such as obesity, high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes, the first order of business is to put them on statin drugs, suggest bypass surgery or angioplasty to clear excess plaque from arteries or prescribe blood thinners. The latter can pose serious side effects, including:

Hemorrhage (internal bleeding)	Abdominal pain and cramping
Diarrhea	Fatigue
Feeling cold and chills	Liver damage
Hair loss	Nausea

However, savvy scientists understand that blood clots are another risk factor for heart health. The risk rises due to several factors, age being one of them. Smart Publications notes:

“Although our human body produces several enzymes for making blood clots, it produces only one enzyme — plasmin — for dissolving them. The problem is, as we age the production of plasmin is reduced, making blood more prone to coagulation and clotting.

To make matters worse, fibrinogen (a blood clotting protein) levels rise as we get older. And high levels of fibrinogen usually lead to increased platelet aggregation, blood clots, and eventually heart attack or stroke ... Preventing blood clots, particularly in older individuals, is a crucial step in preventing heart attack and stroke.”16

The key is doing it naturally, which is what nattokinase offers. According to Life Extension, nattokinase has been available for purchase since 1998. Keep in mind that the food natto may be made from genetically engineered soy, so be sure to read food labels.

Final Notes on Nattokinase

Currently, scientists say the recommended amount of powdered nattokinase is two 100-milligram capsules per day. If you’re wondering about the soy it contains, remember that natto is fermented soy, and fermentation removes the disadvantages associated with eating raw or cooked soy. You can even make your own natto at home, but if you prefer a supplement form, nattokinase is actually an enzyme derived from the food. The Baseline of Health Foundation notes:

“Some may question the use of using a soy-derived product for health. Note that when soy is fermented, it neutralizes the harmful effects on your hormones. But more importantly, what you get in a supplement is not natto, the food derived from fermenting soy, but nattokinase, the purified enzyme extracted from natto. In other words, there’s virtually no soy left in nattokinase. Just be sure to look for a brand that uses non-GMO Nattokinase since most soy is genetically modified.”17

Significantly, a study in Egypt asserts that nattokinase may benefit people with Alzheimer’s disease, as it did in research on rats, which scientists determined after oral administration and subsequent study of their brain tissue.18 Additional studies are ongoing.

https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2018/02/12/nattokinase.aspx

Daily low dose aspirin to prevent blood clots 'may be lethal for some over-75s'

Taking a daily low dose aspirin to prevent blood clots can be disabling or even lethal for people aged 75 and over with a history of heart attacks or strokes, scientists have warned.

By PA  13 Jun 2017, 23:32

Updated: 13 Jun 2017, 23:45

The risk of internal bleeding caused by swallowing the blood-thinning pills is far higher in this group of patients than was previously thought, new research shows.

Compared with younger patients, older aspirin users were 10 times more likely to experience disabling or fatal gastro-intestinal bleeding.

The proportion of study participants suffering bleeds requiring hospital admission rose from 1.5% per year for those under 65 to 3.5% for those aged 75 to 84, the research showed.

For very elderly patients over 85, the annual bleed rate reached 5%.

The researchers, whose findings appear in The Lancet medical journal, urged doctors to prescribe elderly patients taking daily aspirin after a stroke or heart attack proton-pump inhibitor drugs to reduce the risk of bleeding.

Professor Peter Rothwell, from Oxford University, said: "We have known for some time that aspirin increases the risk of bleeding for elderly patients. But our new study gives us a much clearer understanding of the size of the increased risk and of the severity and consequences of bleeds.

"Our findings raise questions about the balance of risk and benefit of long-term daily aspirin use in people aged 75 or over if a proton-pump inhibitor is not co-prescribed."

Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) are commonly used to treat heart burn by reducing levels of stomach acid.

The Oxford Vascular Study recruited 3,166 patients who had previously had a stroke or heart attack and were being prescribed blood-thinning drugs that prevent platelets - blood clotting cells - clumping together. Most were treated with aspirin.

Half the patients were aged 75 or over at the start of the study, which followed the progress of participants over 10 years. During this time, a total of 314 patients were admitted to hospital for internal bleeding.

Older patients who suffered bleeds fared worse than younger patients. The proportion of survivors experiencing a new or worse disability rose from 3% for those under 75 to a quarter for those who were older.

For patients aged 75 or older, a major gastro-intestinal bleed as a result of taking aspirin was "at least as likely" to be disabling or fatal as a recurrent stroke, said the researchers.

Proton-pump inhibitors could reduce bleeding by 70% to 90% in patients receiving long-term anti-platelet treatment, they added.

Prof Rothwell said: "While there is some evidence that long-term PPI use might have some small risks, this study shows that the risk of bleeding without them at older ages is high, and the consequences significant.

"In other words, these new data should provide reassurance that the benefits of PPI use at older ages will outweigh the risks."

The research was not able to show that the observed increase in risk was entirely due to aspirin, the scientists pointed out. But previous trials had shown that at least half the bleeds occurring while taking aspirin are caused by the drug.

The vast majority of patients taking part in the study were taking low dose (75mg) aspirin, said the researchers. Only a few were being treated with a different anti-platelet drug, clopidogrel. It was not known if the findings applied to other blood-thinning drugs.

In a linked comment published in The Lancet, German expert Professor Hans-Christoph Diener, from the University of Duisburg-Essen, wrote: "The first consequence of (this) study is that the benefit-risk association in long-term anti-platelet therapy should be evaluated every three to five years in patients older than 75 years.

"The second consequence of (the) study is its support for the need to use PPIs in patients on anti-platelet therapy aged 75 years or older or in patients with a history of gastro-intestinal bleeds."

Dr Tim Chico, consultant cardiologist at the University of Sheffield, said: "Prescription of any drug is a balance between the benefits of the medication against its risks, and aspirin is no different.

"Certainly, people should not stop their aspirin if it has been prescribed by a doctor after a stroke or heart attack, since stopping it can cause another heart attack or stroke.

"However, I would strongly recommend that people who are considering taking aspirin to prevent potential future problems such as cancer or heart attack (ie not for secondary prevention) should discuss this with their doctor."

Professor Sir Nilesh Samani, medical director at the British Heart Foundation, which co-funded the research, said: "For some patients aspirin is an important part of our armoury to prevent heart attacks and strokes. But we have known for a long time that it is associated with an increased risk of bleeding, particularly from the stomach, and this can sometimes be very serious.

"This research is an important step forward as it shows that the risk of bleeding is substantially higher in people over 75 years and that older people who require aspirin may particularly benefit from also being routinely given heartburn drugs which protect the stomach."

http://www.aol.co.uk/living/2017/06/13/daily-low-dose-aspirin-to-prevent-blood-clots-may-be-lethal-for/

Pineapple: A Sweet Pain Reliever

Come to the tropics for effective pain relief! Pineapple is loaded with joint-protecting vitamin C, making pineapple a superior arthritis-healing superfood. The manganese in this sweet treat strengthens bones and protects joints, while the bromelain tackles inflammation.

1. Pineapple’s C protects your joints. Higher intake levels of the antioxidant vitamin C is  essential for people with arthritis–and one cup of pineapple has 94% of the recommended daily allowance (RDA). Research published in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases showed that vitamin C-rich foods protect against inflammatory polyarthritis, a type of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in which two or more joints are affected. Scientists examined  nutritional data on 20,000 adults and discovered that those eating the least amount of C-rich foods tripled their risk of arthritis compared to people eating the most.

If you have osteoarthritis, don’t be concerned by warnings that you should not increase your vitamin C intake. Those warnings are based on a 2004 study on guinea pigs! Studies on humans show vitamin C reduces pain, cartilage loss and disease progression.

2. Healthier joint tissue, thanks to minerals. Pineapple is also an excellent way to get the trace mineral manganese, which is essential for building healthy joint tissue and dense bones. One cup provides 128% of the RDA for manganese.  Research shows that manganese tackles free radicals that can damage joint cartilage.

3. Pineapple’s enzymes clean up rusty joints. Studies show that pineappple’s bromelain enzyme is a potent anti-inflammatory. When you eat pineapple on an empty stomach, the enzymes go right to work on your joints. If you eat it with other foods, the enzymes divert their activity to digesting the rest of your meal instead of the gunk in your joints, so keep pineapple around for between-meal snacks. Juice the hard inner core as well to take advantage of the concentrated bromelain located there.

4. For optimal arthritis pain-relief, eat fresh pineapple. Bromelain is destroyed by heat, so fresh pineapple will give you the most benefit. Frozen pineapple retains active enzymes, but canned fruit and commercially processed juice don’t provide the anti-inflammatory benefit of fresh.

If the fruit needs to ripen, keep it on your kitchen counter for a couple days. You’ll know it’s sweet and ready to eat when the bottom softens a bit. There are several clever pineapple-cutting tools that make the job easy. Refrigerate pineapple slices or chunks so you can enjoy it all week long.

Because of bromelain’s anti-clotting activity, please consult with your physician before combining it with blood-thinning medications, such as warfarin (Coumadin), heparin, or aspirin.

Keep Getting Better,

Jim Healthy

http://myhealingkitchen.com/medical-conditions/arthritis/arthritis-make-it-better/pineapple-for-pain-relief-support/

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The Effective Sweet Treat that Relieves Arthritis Pain

By Jim Healthy On  October 19th, 2012

Did you know that there are certain kinds of foods that actually help reduce or even stop arthritis pain?

These “superfoods” are usually easy to find and inexpensive.

Of all the foods that help fight against arthritis — delicious, sweet pineapple comes up close to the top of the list.

The Sweet Pain Reliever

For generations, people around the world have used fresh pineapple to ease their arthritis inflammation.

Loaded with joint-protecting vitamin C, pineapple is undoubtedly a superior arthritis-healing food.

Its anti-inflammatory ingredient — bromelain — is so potent that many boxers drink the juice after fights to heal their bruises.

A 1960 study compared boxers who took bromelain with those receiving a placebo.

In just four days, an amazing 78% of those taking bromelain were inflammation-free, while only 14% of the control group had recovered.

Other than bromelain, pineapple also contains manganese, which strengthens bones and protects joints.

Here are 5 reasons you should be indulging in this delicious fruit if you struggle with joint pain and arthritis:

Reason #1: Joint Protection

Higher intake levels of the antioxidant vitamin C is essential for people with arthritis…

And just one cup of pineapple has a whopping 94% of the recommended daily allowance (RDA)!

Research published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases showed that vitamin C-rich foods protect against inflammatory polyarthritis, a type of rheumatoid arthritis in which two or more joints are affected.

If you have osteoarthritis, you may be concerned by warnings that you should not increase your vitamin C intake. But know that those warnings are based on a 2004 study on guinea pigs!

Studies on humans show vitamin C actually reduces pain, cartilage loss and disease progression.

Reason #2: Healthier Joint Tissue

Pineapple is a great source of the trace mineral manganese.

Manganese is absolutely essential for building healthy joint tissue and dense bones. One cup of pineapple provides 128% of the RDA for manganese.

Research shows that manganese tackles free radicals that can damage joint cartilage.

Tip: It’s best to eat your pineapple raw. Fruit skewers alternating fresh pineapple chunks with strawberries is a great way to do that. Grilled and cooked pineapple is extraordinarily tasty too.

Reason #3: Smoother Joint Movement

Pineapple’s enzymes literally clean up “rusty” joints. When you eat pineapple on an empty stomach, the enzymes go right to work on your joints.

Tip: If you eat pineapple with other foods, the enzymes divert their activity to digesting the rest of your meal instead of the gunk in your joints.

So keep pineapple around for between-meal snacks. Juice the hard inner core as well to take advantage of the concentrated bromelain located there.

Reason #4: Pain Relief

For optimal arthritis pain-relief, eat fresh pineapple.

The bromelain in pineapple is destroyed by heat, so fresh pineapple will give you the most benefit.

Frozen pineapple retains active enzymes, but canned fruit and commercially processed juice don’t provide the anti-inflammatory benefit of fresh fruit.

It’s important to note bromelain causes anti-clotting activity…

So you should consult with your physician before combining pineapple with blood-thinning medications such as warfarin (Coumadin), heparin, or aspirin.

Tip: If the fruit needs to ripen, keep it on your kitchen counter for a couple days. You’ll know it’s sweet and ready to eat when the bottom softens a bit.

Reason #5: Protection from Inflammation

Pineapple’s bromelain halts inflammation.

The sulfur-based enzyme bromelain in fresh pineapple is one of the best-researched natural anti-inflammatory agents around.

Bromelain clobbers inflammatory agents that trigger joint pain and cartilage degeneration.

A 2006 study cited in Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology found that supplemental bromelain is effective in easing discomfort from hip arthritis.

The Arthritis Foundation stated that pineapple’s bromelain produces effects comparable to NSAIDs for relieving pain and inflammation.

UK researchers reviewed ten studies on osteoarthritis and bromelain. They found that every single one confirmed bromelain’s benefits.

Tip: Most of the bromelain in pineapples is found in the core and the stem. So don’t throw away that tough, fibrous core!

Just chop it up, throw it in a blender with some water and pulse to convert it to juice.

If you’d like to discover more “superfoods” that can halt your arthritis…

And also drastically reduce your chances of being afflicted by cancer, heart disease, diabetes…

Check out my Arthritis Interrupted e-book. It provides you with real and immediate ways to start improving your health and healing your arthritis…

For a pain-free life!

http://naturopathynaturecare.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-effective-sweet-treat.html