NatuRelief

I decided to take a look at the product “NatuRelief for Women,” which focuses on providing natural relief for menstrual pain. First of all, on its packaging, NatuRelief says it consists of a Bromelain dietary supplement with herbs, and it brandishes a “badge” that says it contains natural pineapple enzymes. Because it does not specify the actual workings of Bromelain, I decided to look it up myself on WebMD and found the following:

Bromelain is an enzyme found in pineapple juice and in the pineapple stem. People use it for medicine.

Bromelain is 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.

It is also used for preventing muscle soreness after intense exercise. This use has been studied, and the evidence suggests bromelain doesn’t work for this.

Some people use a product (Phlogenzym) for arthritis (osteoarthritis) that combines bromelain with trypsin (a protein) and rutin (a substance found in buckwheat). Bromelain used in this way seems to reduce pain and improve knee function in people with arthritis.

There isn’t enough scientific evidence to determine whether or not bromelain is effective for any of its other uses.

·         Bromelain seems to cause the body to produce substances that fight pain and swelling (inflammation).

·         Bromelain also contains chemicals that interfere with the growth of tumor cells and slow blood clotting.

After looking into what Bromelain does or is, at least, purported to do, I continued examining the packaging. NatuRelief claims that its chewable tablets are “not habit forming” and are “drug free,” which makes it appear more approachable to people who are into more homeopathic approaches to stifling pain and symptoms and also to those who might fear using more addictive substances in other kinds of drugs on the market used to resolve menstrual pains. Because it comes in a chewable tablet form, NatuRelief claims that it can provide “fast, on-the-go relief”…presumably for those who don’t have the copious amounts of time to find a cup of water and swallow a tablet. Then, NatuRelief claims that is the “The Natural Approach to Coping with Menstrual Pain”…but not without an asterisk, which is elucidated at the bottom of the package stating: “This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.” So there is not proof that this product even works, at least, one might say, being that the FDA has not even evaluated this product to check if what it claims is accurate. In addition to these statements, at the front of its packaging, NatuRelief features a picture of a tablet with a raspberry next to it, as though to say that what you’d really be consuming is all natural substances just in tablet form. In addition, its packaging has the color pink (to signify that it is for women) as well as the color green (to add to the idea that the product is “natural”).

            Now onto the back of its packaging… there is a quote by the founder and president of Concept in Health, Inc.—the distributor of NatuRelief. What hits me the most from what she says is: “I would feel comfortable giving to my family [NatuRelief] […] Long used by many native cultures, Bromelain works safely.” Of course, this statement on the back is also accompanied by an asterisk referencing the same as before about the FDA not having evaluated such claims. Again, though, we see how NatuRelief continues to push how safe and natural it is, how there is a long history in its usage. It almost seems as though we are lucky to have acquired the “secret” of native cultures in helping soothe bodily pains.

            As a side note, I looked into the Concepts in Health, Inc., and I actually was not able to find much information about them online. I saw that they had a “Company Overview” page about them on Bloomberg. However, it said that they manufacture and deliver dietary supplements for menopause symptoms for adults—there was no mention of menstrual pain symptoms. Also, there were no recorded key executives on said page.

            Furthermore, in terms of the ingredients listed at the back of the packaging, it says that in one tablet of NatuRelief, there is 400mg of Bromelain along with a 25mg “Proprietary Blend” of Dandelion Root, Ginger Root, and Red Raspberry Leaf—the daily value is not established. Other ingredients include xylitol, stearic acid, magnesium stereate, natural flavors, and silica.

            Its directions state to take one tablet as a dietary supplement and to take another serving if desired. Its warnings state that the product is only for adult use. Do not use within two weeks of surgery or if allergic to pineapple. It also says to consult one’s health provider if on an anti-coagulant, antibiotic, or any other medication, or if suffering from a bleeding disorder or liver damage. Lastly, its price is $4.59.

            Something that I find interesting about this product is its lack of advertising, which almost adds to its trustworthiness and credibility… it adds to its “small company” image that goes against the grind. It makes a statement through this lack of presence as its distinguishes itself from all the capitalistic, revenue-driven heavy advertising conducted by, what one can rightfully think, the untrustworthy and lying corporations that only want profit rather than to help their customers and that forego consideration of the health of their customers only to push unpronounceable drugs to them that seem to have more side effects than productive and desirable effects. This made me think about the way in which this “failure” in situating itself in the foreground might benefit NatuRelief’s sales. “I’ve never heard of it, so it must be good!” might constitute a kind of counterintuitive way of thinking that could at least work for those stereotypical “woke” (but not too woke), organic-only, health-conscious hipsters.