Ibuprofen: Benefits and Risks

[ollinger]

^^ the value of taking certain nutrients in supplement form is coming into question. An abstract I read just last week described the results of a study showing that health benefits seen from eating oily (omega 3) fish were not seen in people who took the oil in the form of supplements. A review in JAMA recently suggested that more recent well controlled fish oil studies don't show the benefit thought to be seen in earlier poorly controlled studies. I mention this because turmeric is a substance ayurvedic practitioners tell me is only useful when cooked, so its value as an uncooked supplement pill is uncertain, much like lycopene.

[maggmaster]

I personally take a large dose of fish oil every day for a number of reasons. My blood work shows a marked decrease in ldl and increase in hdl since I started taking it. I do exercise religiously but I have been doing that since I was 15. I suppose it is possible that something other than the fish oil could have caused the improved cholesterol levels.

[Ramon]

Originally Posted by ollinger

^^ the value of taking certain nutrients in supplement form is coming into question. An abstract I read just last week described the results of a study showing that health benefits seen from eating oily (omega 3) fish were not seen in people who took the oil in the form of supplements. A review in JAMA recently suggested that more recent well controlled fish oil studies don't show the benefit thought to be seen in earlier poorly controlled studies. I mention this because turmeric is a substance ayurvedic practitioners tell me is only useful when cooked, so its value as an uncooked supplement pill is uncertain, much like lycopene.

Those are good points. I wish I had time to read every article on nutrition, but obviously, that's not possible. I do know there are other studies on these kind of supplements that conflict what you are saying.

I always consider the source, too. As you mentioned already, and I totally agree, drug companies are driven by greed to the point that public safety is far less important than profits. The medical community is in bed with the drug companies as well. Research on supplements funded by drug companies or the medical community might as well be thrown out. It is in their best interest to discredit natural supplements so they can tell the public that medicine is the only real solution. They are also lobbying politicians to regulate supplements and give the drug companies control over them, which of course is motivated by profit. To achieve this goal, they want the public to think that supplements are dangerous or that medical expertise is necessary to make them effective.

[sureshs]

Originally Posted by Ramon

I actually take those in supplement form on a daily basis. The advantage is that they are safe, and they provide other long-term benefits linked to anti-aging and general health.

However, don't expect them to give you the noticeable short-term benefits of NSAIDs. If you have an acute problem, those supplements won't help much.

It is a long term thing.

For emergency and short-term situations, it is always "modern medicine."

[sureshs]

Originally Posted by ollinger

^^ the value of taking certain nutrients in supplement form is coming into question. An abstract I read just last week described the results of a study showing that health benefits seen from eating oily (omega 3) fish were not seen in people who took the oil in the form of supplements. A review in JAMA recently suggested that more recent well controlled fish oil studies don't show the benefit thought to be seen in earlier poorly controlled studies. I mention this because turmeric is a substance ayurvedic practitioners tell me is only useful when cooked, so its value as an uncooked supplement pill is uncertain, much like lycopene.

Historically, it was part of spice mixtures added to food during cooking.

I have never taken it as a supplement.

I do take fish oil supplements. What you seem to be saying is that it may soon be proven to be of no use.

[charliefedererer]

Originally Posted by Cindysphinx

Yeah, this thread is weird. The docs on it seem to be treating ibuprofen like a horrible risk.

Yet my two different OS and a sports podiatrist don't seem nearly so alarmed about Ibuprofen and have prescribed it. It seems like a fairly ordinary tool in their tool kit.

I guess my doctors are dummies.

From your other posts, it is apparent you use ibuprofen only occasionally, and are very reasonable in your dosing.

You have discussed this with your doctors and therapists.



The big concern is that there are many out there that use ibuprofen to play through tennis elbow, shoulder and knee pain.

Not only do they play rather than rest with these conditions, but they find they need ibuprofen on a daily basis just to make it through the day on their job and other activities.

Ibuprofen is a pretty good pain reliever and will allow them to continue to make their overuse injuries worse and worse.



There also is a fairly widespread belief that ibuprofen is not only controlling their pain, but reducing the inflammation that is the source of their pain.

So some will take ibuprofen every time they play or work out thinking they are preventing harmful inflammation.
And if they have some residual soreness, they will continue taking ibuprofen for the duration.
There just is no proof that ibuprofen meaningfully changes the course of inflammation after exercise. And if it did, it would probably take fairly high dosages, the type that can get people into trouble, to do so.

[UCSF2012]

That was a fun read. Just wanted to see how the general population perceives ibuprofen. A few things were in accord with what I was taught. Most weren't. In particular, Charliefed's presentation were severely distorted, and it's quite obvious he has no medical training. Anywho, too many errors or misconceptions to correct. I'm not a Pharm lecturer, so I won't try to educate anyone on pharmacology.

[sureshs]

The danger of addiction to acetominophen or ibuprofen is real. They relax the muscles, produce a good feeling, and induce a good night's sleep. It is quite easy to convince yourself that they are "needed" after every tennis session.

[makinao]

Originally Posted by sureshs

The danger of addiction to acetominophen or ibuprofen is real.

Someone finally mentioned the "A" word.

[El Diablo]

No, there is no addiction to either acetaminophen or ibuprofen. No clear pharmacologic tolerance, no withdrawl syndrome (a "rebound" when someone stops a drug is NOT a withdrawl syndrome. You can have rebound with BP meds, for example, but they are not abused). Stories about addiction to these drugs are anecdotal and mythical. That one might use a medicine compulsively does not constitute an addiction.

[charliefedererer]

Originally Posted by El Diablo

No, there is no addiction to either acetaminophen or ibuprofen. No clear pharmacologic tolerance, no withdrawl syndrome (a "rebound" when someone stops a drug is NOT a withdrawl syndrome. You can have rebound with BP meds, for example, but they are not abused). Stories about addiction to these drugs are anecdotal and mythical. That one might use a medicine compulsively does not constitute an addiction.

Great point!

I am sure there are those who compulsively use ibuprofen.

[charliefedererer]

Originally Posted by UCSF2012

That was a fun read. Just wanted to see how the general population perceives ibuprofen. A few things were in accord with what I was taught. Most weren't. In particular, Charliefed's presentation were severely distorted, and it's quite obvious he has no medical training. Anywho, too many errors or misconceptions to correct. I'm not a Pharm lecturer, so I won't try to educate anyone on pharmacology.

I would be interested in just a few of the many errors or misconceptions you seem that I have given.

I would like to educate you. And you educate me.

I am a physician.

[sureshs]

Originally Posted by makinao

Someone finally mentioned the "A" word.

It had to be mentioned. I caught by wife taking Tylenol a few days in a row while complaining about mild back pain. We ended up having a big fight. I myself have a weekly habit. On Fridays, I play after work and come back really tired with the week's burden. I take 2 Tylenols and 2 Ibuprofens (together) before going to bed, and end up sleeping till 10 or 11 am on Saturday. It has become a routine and it relaxes me a whole deal. I know the mixing is bad, but it is only 2 + 2 OTC caps.

When I had back pain and took Doan's or its equivalent (magnesium salicylate), I liked to "extend" it for a day or two. It feels good.

[my76]

Originally Posted by 5263

Not really, as Vitalzym is a blend of enzymes (enzymes mentions in OP)
that reduces inflammation in a healthy natural way. I've shared it with several
Players TE and it has always helped with 2-3 days.

Anyone have comments for plain ole asprin?

I've never tried Vitalzym but I can confirm that taking enzymes is a very effective way of reducing inflammation and the stiffness associated with it. I'm almost 50 and I play tennis every day sometimes twice a day and taking the enzymes makes a dramatic difference. The more I play the more I take, they are safe and contribute to healing and have other benefits as well, such as improved cardiovascular heath. The one I take is called Wobenzym N and it's been around for a long time and is well studied. It can't hurt to check it out.

[mikeler]

I took some ibuprofen yesterday for aches associated with a cold. Man it works well. I'd rather play with pain so I don't push my body too far and save the ibuprofen for pain when I really need it.

[Ramon]

This is only based on personal experience, but Ibuprofen does seem to work better for me than Acetaminophen (Tylenol) for tennis related inflammation. I tried using Tylenol last night in a match against a good player where I needed to serve big. It lasted me through the match, but today I can tell that the effects don't last as long as Ibuprofen. However, it does make me wonder if I actually heal better with a pain reliever that doesn't continue to keep working, which theoretically inhibits the healing process.

[Cindysphinx]

If I could take ibuprofen every day for the rest of my life, I would.

Getting old hurts.

Ibuprofen is the fountain of youth. Someone should have told Ponce de Leon.

[Timbo's hopeless slice]

am I correct in thinking paracetamol is not 'over-the-counter' in the states?

or is it chemically similar to Tylenol?

I know I could google it, but I was wondering what the forum thought?

'The truth? I can't handle the truth!'

[derickyan]

i thought if you ate too much medicine, like this stuff, it damages your organs. like liver, etc.
has anyone heard about that?

[Ramon]

Originally Posted by derickyan

i thought if you ate too much medicine, like this stuff, it damages your organs. like liver, etc.
has anyone heard about that?

We pretty much discussed this topic to death in the first few pages of this thread.