Ibuprofen Kills More, Than Pain
So what is the alternative?



GreenMedInfo
June 4, 2012
Sayer Ji, founder

  Pain and unhealthy levels of
  inflammation are fast becoming
  default bodily states in the
  industrialized world. While in most
  cases we can adjust the underlying
  pro-inflammatory conditions by
  altering our diet and reducing stress
  and environmental chemical
  exposures, these approaches take
  time, discipline and energy and
  sometimes we just want the pain to
  stop now. In those often compulsive
  moments we find ourselves popping
  an over-the-counter pill to kill the
  pain. The problem with this approach
  is, that if we do it often enough, we
  may kill ourselves along with the
  pain...

  Take ibuprofen as an example!

This petrochemical-derivative has been linked to significantly increased risk of heart attack and increased cardiac and all-cause mortality (when combined with aspirin), with over two dozen serious adverse health effects, including:

  1. Anemia [1]
  2. DNA Damage [2]
  3. Hearing Loss [3]
  4. Hypertension [4]
  5. Influenza Mortality [5]
  6. Miscarriage [6]

Ibuprofen is, in fact, not unique in elevating cardiovascular disease risk and/or mortality. The entire category of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) appears to have this under-recognized dark side: of the 100 unintended adverse health effects associated with their use cardiovascular disease and cardiac mortality score highest on the list.

So what does one do? Pain is pain. Whether it happens to you, or you witness it in another (which can be worse), finding relief is a top priority.

Research on Natural Alternatives to Ibuprofen

Here is some evidence-based research on alternatives to ibuprofen, sourced from the National Library of Medicine:

  1. Ginger — A 2009 study found, that ginger capsules (250 mg, four times daily) were as effective, as the drugs mefenamic acid and ibuprofen for relieving pain in women associated with their menstrual cycle (primary dysmenorrhea). [7]
  2. Topical Arnica — A 2007 human study found, that topical treatment with arnica was as effective, as ibuprofen for hand osteoarthritis, but with lower incidence of side effects. [8]
  3. Combination: Astaxanthin, Ginkgo biloba and Vitamin C — A 2011 animal study found this combination to be equal to or better, than ibuprofen for reducing asthma-associated respiratory inflammation. [9]
  4. Chinese Skullcap (baicalin) — A 2003 animal study found, that a compound in Chinese skullcap, known as baicalin, was equipotent to ibuprofen in reducing pain. [10]
  5. Omega-3 fatty acids — A 2006 human study found, that omega-3 fatty acids (between 1200-2400 mg daily) were as effective, as ibuprofen in reducing arthritis pain, but with the added benefit of having less side effects. [11]
  6. Panax Ginseng — A 2008 animal study found, that panax ginseng had analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity similar to ibuprofen, indicating its possible anti-rheumatoid arthritis properties. [12]
  7. St. John’s Wort — A 2004 animal study found, that St. John’s wort was twice as effective, as ibuprofen, as a pain-killer. [13]
  8. Anthrocyanins from sweet cherries and raspberries — A 2001 cell study found, that anthrocyanins, extracted from raspberries and sweet cherries, were as effective, as ibuprofen and naproxen at suppressing the inflammation-associated enzyme, known as cyclooxygenase-1 and -2. [14]
  9. Holy Basil — A 2000 study found, that holy basil contains compounds with anti-inflammatory activity comparable to ibuprofen, naproxen and aspirin. [15]
  10. Olive Oil (oleocanthal) — a compound found within olive oil, known as oleocanthal, has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties similar to ibuprofen. [16]

There are, of course, hundreds of additional substances, which have been studied for their pain-killing and/or anti-inflammatory effects and there are also aromatherapeutic approaches, that do not require the ingestion of anything at all, but there is also a danger here. When we think of taking an alternative pain-killer to ibuprofen, we are still thinking within the palliative, allopathic medical model: suppress the symptom and go on about our business. It would behoove us to look deeper into what is causing our pain. And when possible, remove the cause(s). And that often requires a dramatic dietary shift, away from pro-inflammatory foods, many of which most Westerners still consider absolutely delightful, e.g. wheat, dairy, nightshade vegetables and even wheat-free grains, etc.