The Power of Pineapple

I quit smoking in February of 2010. I had been told that I had a serious case of emphysema (one of several health issues that I am dealing with), and THAT is what finally broke tobaccos hold on me (an addiction I had for well over 20 years). I started taking Spiriva and using an inhaler daily on top of my emergency inhaler and nebulizer. Well the meds did not seem to be helping me, and in fact appeared to make things worse. Due to what I believe was the medicine, I started developing heart issues. This led me to quitting ALL the meds and researching natural remedies.

A lot of the articles I read stated that the damage that I had done to my lungs was permanent and could not be reversed. The best I could do is keep away from tobacco so as not to make it worse. I took this as a personal challenge to prove everyone wrong. Quitting all those medicines was my first step and that alone made a huge difference. It became a bit easier to breathe (I wasn't out of breath from walking a block anymore), and my heart issues became a rarity (as opposed to constant issues on the meds).

Step 2 led me to research foods that could help my body heal my lungs. One thing kept popping up, it was easy to get and I have seen it as low as $1 on sale...The Pineapple. Here is my logic. Eating pineapple cant hurt me, may help with my lungs and it promotes a healthy diet. Now I am not talking about canned pineapple but fresh. The more I read about pineapple the more shocked I was as to how good it is for you. Apparently, the key "magic" ingredient that aids in healing is called Bromelain. Here is a blurb from the wiki page:   "Bromelain is a plant extract used for reducing swelling (inflammation), especially of the nose and sinuses, after surgery or injury. It is also used for hay fever, treating a bowel condition that includes swelling and ulcers ulcerative colitis, removing dead and damaged tissue after a burn debridement, preventing the collection of water in the lung pulmonary edema, relaxing muscles, stimulating muscle contractions, slowing clotting, improving the absorption of antibiotics, preventing cancer, shortening labor, and helping the body get rid of fat. Bromelain also contains chemicals that interfere with the growth of tumor cells and slow blood clotting.^[1]"

Now how incredible is this. I am really excited about adding this to my diet ASAP. Here is what I am thinking...
I will get some pineapple juice (organic without added sugars) and some fresh pineapple. I will have a glass of pineapple juice in the morning with my breakfast. Then with or after lunch and dinner I will have a slice of pineapple. Not only will I be having, and enjoying the vitamins and minerals, of three fruit servings a day but it also may help not only my lungs but my torn Achilles tendons too. I do not see a downside here. So new addition to the diet starts tomorrow and I will keep ya up to date on if it's helping. After 3 months I will re do the pulmonary tests again to test my progress. Cross your fingers for me!


Here are some websites about this subject:
Wiki on Bromelain
Natural healing guide
Pineapple Nature's healing fruit
Medicines that changed the world
Livestrong Article

And here are some recipes that sound yummy!
Jamaican Jerk Shrimp & Pineapple salad This sounds sooo good.
Pork Sweet potato Pineapple Stew  Gonna sub canned tomato's for ones from my garden.
Grilled Pineapple Since it's grilling season
Avocado Pineapple Salad I love avocados and am always looking for an excuse to add them, lol.
Carrot Pineapple Cake read the comments for healthy subs