Natural Alternatives To Ibuprofen

Natural Alternatives To Ibuprofen

Last time you had a swollen ankle or a headache – what did you reach for?


If it was Ibuprofen, or another synthetic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), you wouldn’t be alone. If you're thinking oh I never take Ibuprofen (or any other NSAID), read more on the risks of Tylenol (also known as Acetaminophen).

HOW DOES IBUPROFEN WORK?

Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs act on COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes in the body, reducing the amount of prostaglandins your body releases. Prostaglandins are chemicals that promote an inflammatory and pain response to injury or foreign bodies.

Because ibuprofen is able to engage with the inflammatory pathways, it reduces inflammation therefore reducing pain and fever. The inflammatory pathway starts at the lipid bilayer of the cell membrane.


Here fatty acids are selected and move on through a pathway to form the inflammatory mediators. Typically, the cell membrane is filled with Omega-6 fatty acids and the arachidonic pathway is selected. Arachidonic Acid (AA) is an Omega-6 and it is pulled from the cell membrane and then hydrolyzed to a free form. This happens through the action of an enzyme called phospholipase A2 (PLA2). PLA2 is what steroids stop. The free form AA is then metabolized into prostaglandins and thromboxane A2 by the cyclooxygenase enzymes (COX1,2). 


There are other enzymes involved as well to some extent. The products of the pathways include the prostaglandins, leukotrienes, epoxyeicosatrienoic acids, etc. Each metabolite plays a role not just in the pain and swelling associated with inflammation but also in the cardiovascular and clotting systems. This AA pathway is completely bypassed if the fatty acids taken from the membrane are Omega-3. This pathway is much less damaging and actually promotes healing.

It’s an extremely common drug in the United States and throughout the world, because it’s quick-acting and can treat a variety of ailments ranging from minor injuries to headaches, back pain, arthritis pain, menstrual cramps and more. Generally, a drug that specifically stops an enzyme at a high level in a process can be very powerful and fast acting.


It’s also used frequently for muscle soreness, fascia pain and neuropathy. Another perceived benefit to taking ibuprofen is that it’s over the counter, meaning you don’t have to visit a doctor and pay the associated fees to take it.


But a lot of these conditions are chronic, and using ibuprofen to treat chronic pain, or even pain that lasts for more than a short period of time can come at a cost. There are a lot of side effects of the group of drugs known as Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs).

SIDE EFFECTS OF IBUPROFEN

Ibuprofen can be cause for a number of health concerns that are likely worse than what you’re looking to treat.

Some of the more common side effects of ibuprofen include:


  • Stomach pain

  • Nausea

  • Higher risk for heart attack and stroke

  • Liver or kidney disease, or worsened liver/kidney status

  • Dizziness and headache or tinnitus

  • GI issues like constipation or diarrhea

  • Elevated blood pressure

  • Swelling in limbs


It’s also recommended that before taking ibuprofen, you talk to your physician if you have high blood pressure or cholesterol, heart disease or diabetes. Ibuprofen can also pose a risk to anyone who smokes.

NSAIDS are responsible for 30% of the 10% of all hospital admissions that are due to adverse drug reactions in the UK. 70% of people over the age of 65 in the US use NSAIDs at least once a week and about half of them take 7 doses a week. In the US, 11% of preventable admissions from adverse drug reactions are due to NSAIDs. Some believe more than 100,000 people are hospitalized for the GI complications annually. This comes with a cost of $4 billion per year just for the ‘elderly’. However, about 40% of PCP visits and 70% of ED visits are for ‘pain’ and NSAIDs are still considered a safe option. So what should you do?

PAIN RELIEF WITHOUT IBUPROFEN

A lot of pain-relieving efforts take place day-to-day. You make decisions constantly about what you put into your body and how you’ll feel later.

Even though you’ve likely heard that diet and exercise are great ways to reduce inflammation, you may not fully understand why – and that’s okay!

Exercise

Let’s start with exercise! Exercising for health doesn’t have to mean intense workouts everyday, and you certainly don’t have to hike mountains or compete in marathons.


Twenty minutes of moderate exercise (think speed walking or swimming) can trigger an immune response. Your immune system is responsible for inflammation levels throughout your body. When you exercise, you’re producing a natural anti-inflammatory response at the cellular level.


So, let’s say you include a twenty-minute walk after dinner each night into your routine – you’re actually helping your body lower chronic inflammation while strengthening your muscles and improving your cardiovascular health. As an added benefit, a short walk after dinner will also pull glucose out of the bloodstream and allow for a lower insulin response.


Because we know that chronic inflammation is the underlying cause of various diseases like arthritis, we also know that regular exercise is key to keeping it under control.


Dr. Warner’s webinar on Diet & Exercise is a great place to get started. 

Natural Alternatives To Ibuprofen

Diet

Dr. Warner is also a big advocate of the Mediterranean Diet. The Mediterranean Diet focuses on whole foods, as opposed to processed foods and includes things like omega-3 rich fish and seafood, fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, and olive oil.


This lifestyle diet is rich in omega-3, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatories that can help you reduce inflammation and pain.


Watch Dr. Warner’s webinar on the Mediterranean Diet for more benefits and key tips.


Even with the best diet, we know that diet isn’t always enough, because we’re human, but also because it’s extremely difficult to get all the nutrients we need within our recommended caloric intake.

Exercise - Natural Alternatives To Ibuprofen

Arthritis Bundle

Our Tart Cherry Extract is a single-ingredient supplement with 1,500mg of pain and inflammation relieving power. This supplement, along with the Joint Health Multi, rivals the pain fighting benefits of NSAIDs, without the side effects. Our Joint Health Multi features turmeric with a 95% concentration of curcuminoids, ginger, and PEA. The medicinal history of turmeric and ginger goes back thousands of years, while PEA is produced by your body as a natural reaction to pain.

Longevity Series

Dr. Warner’s Longevity Series is designed to reduce damage at the cellular level caused by inflammation and oxidative stress. The Longevity Series features Berberine, NMN, and Resveratrol. Taking these supplements together can activate your AMPK production (to help you regulate energy levels at the cellular level, improve mitochondrial health, and help you lose weight), and slow down your aging at the cellular level.

Reduce Inflammation

As we went over before, omega-3 fatty acids are a key element to the Mediterranean Diet. It reduces inflammation, improves cardiovascular health and promotes brain function. Omega-3 can be found in Well Theory’s Nervous System Multi, alongside PEA, a pain reliever and anti-inflammatory naturally produced by your body. Age optimally with these ingredients and more in our Nervous System Multi.

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Fast Acting Relief

Our Delta-8 Gummies are fast-acting and provide quick relief for pain. These gummies help reduce pain with Delta-8 THC (think of it as a happy medium between CBD and Delta-9 THC). They also help reduce stress and promote deep sleep. Sleep is a vital time for your body to recover and an ideal time to reduce inflammation. We’d recommend only taking these when you know you’re home for the day and won’t be driving anywhere.

Dr. Meredith Warner, Orthopedic Surgeon

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Meredith Warner is the creator of Well Theory and The Healing Sole. She is a board-certified Orthopedic Surgeon and Air Force Veteran.


She is on a mission to disrupt traditional medicine practices and promote betterment physically, spiritually and mentally to many more people. She advocates for wellness and functional health over big pharma so more people can age vibrantly with more function and less pain.


At Well Theory, Our surgeon-designed products are FDA Registered and formulated to help people:


  • Manage the symptoms of musculoskeletal pain
  • Recover vibrantly from orthopedic related surgeries
  • Fill the gaps in our daily diets
  • Manage pain associated with inflammation
!