Natural Alternatives for Pain Relief

Herbal Alternatives for pain relief
A new study has found that healthy people who take certain
NSAID (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
pain relievers may increase their risk of heart attack and stroke.

People commonly use NSAIDs, especially OTC formulations, to reduce fever and relieve pain caused by conditions such as arthritis, headache, toothache, back pain, muscle pain, menstrual cramps or minor injury.

Previous studies linked NSAIDs and cardiovascular risks in persons with other high risk factors or established heart disease, however this study is the first to measure the increased cardiovascular risk caused by NSAIDs in healthy people.

“We conducted this study to answer whether any specific NSAID carried a risk of cardiovascular adverse events among healthy individuals and to explore if there were safer alternatives within the group of NSAIDs,” study authors said.

Researchers in Denmark studied 1,028,437 healthy Danish individuals with an average age of 39 from January 1, 1997 to December 31, 2005 for increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality with the use of rofecoxib (Vioxx), diclofenac, celecoxib, naproxen and ibuprofen.

Rofecoxib, marketed as the brand name Vioxx, is no longer available in the United States. Merck voluntarily withdrew the drug from the market in 2004 after studies showed an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Vioxx was widely used in the U.S. before its withdrawal, generating $2.5 billion in sales revenue in 2003.

Diclofenac, marketed as brand names Cambia, Cataflam, Voltaren, Voltaren-XR and Zipsor, and Celecoxib marketed as Celebrex are only available by prescription in the U.S., while consumers can purchase ibuprofen over-the-counter (OTC) as brand names such as Advil, Motrin, Midol and Nuprin. Naproxen is available by prescription, but consumers can also purchase naproxen (Aleve) over-the-counter.

According to Healthday News, compared to people who took no NSAIDs, researchers of the study found that patients taking diclofenac had a 91% higher risk of death from heart attack and stroke, much higher than the 66% increased risk for those taking rofecoxib (Vioxx). People taking the largest doses of diclofenac saw risk of heart attack doubled and for those taking the largest doses of rofecoxib (Vioxx) risk tripled.

Perhaps the most relevant study finding for U.S consumers self-medicating with OTC ibuprofen products is that ibuprofen showed a 29% higher risk of stroke.

Researchers found no increased risk of heart attack or stroke with use of naproxen. Their analyses of celecoxib were not conclusive.

“Because treatment with NSAIDs is so widely distributed in the general population, it is also of great importance that a safe alternative is found when NSAID treatment cannot be avoided. The safety of naproxen has been much debated, but it is widely accepted that naproxen is probably the NSAID with the safest cardiovascular risk profile, and our results support this assumption,” the researchers said. “Our results suggest that naproxen could be a safer alternative when NSAID treatment is required.”

The study appears in the June 8, 2010 issue of Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, a Journal of the American Heart Association.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires drug labels for NSAIDs to warn of increased risk of heart attack or stroke associated with long-term continuous use of the drug. The Denmark study population had a median exposure time to NSAIDs of 14 days, indicating short-time exposure in most individuals.

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See our list of natural alternatives to NSAIDS below:

Some of the side effects and health risks associated with taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) include stomach bleeding, ulcers, nausea, rash, headaches, dizziness, liver and/or kidney damage, and according to a recent Denmark study, NSAID use can increase the risk for heart attack and stroke (see article above). it is important to know about safer alternatives for reducing inflammation and pain. Natural products also support, rather than interrupt, the healing process. There are several choices when it comes to natural anti-inflammatory products. Keep in mind that not everyone responds the same. As long as there is no medical reason to not use a natural product, give it time to take effect. If you don't see results in a reasonable period of time, try another product.


1) ResVita Ultimate (Formerly Maqui/Resveratrol/Acai Ultimate)
Contains Resveratrol, Alpha Lipoic acid, and Green Tea

Alpha lipoic acid is thought to work as an antioxidant in both water and fatty tissue, enabling it to enter all parts of the nerve cell and protect it from damage.Preliminary studies suggest that alpha lipoic acid may help. In one of the largest studies on the use of alpha lipoic acid, 181 people took 600 mg, 1200 mg or 1800 mg of alpha lipoic acid a day or a placebo. After 5 weeks, alpha lipoic acid improved symptoms. The dose that was best tolerated while still providing benefit was 600 mg once daily.
Green tea (Camellia sinensis) is great for stiff muscles—it has nine muscle-relaxing compounds, more than just about any other plant.

Resveratrol, a phytochemical derived from grape skin, is also abundant in members of the Polygonum genus, widely used in traditional Chinese herbal medicine. The anti-inflammatory effects of resveratrol were first described in 1997 after an animal model determined its primary activity to be the inhibition of COX-1.17Then a study led by some of the same researchers from Cornell Medical College in New York City revealed resveratrol's COX-2 inhibitory effects.18
A compound found in plants such as grapes can protect intervertebral disc cartilage and reverse cartilage damage, which may have implications for treating disc damage responsible for back pain, according to research published in the Nov. 15 issue of Spine. Xin Li, M.D., Ph.D., from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, and colleagues investigated the effect of the phytoestrogen resveratrol, found in plants including grapes and red wines, on bovine disc cells. Previous work had shown that resveratrol could protect articular cartilage from damage, the study authors note.




2) FatBurner
Contains White willow bark, Garcinia, green tea and cinnamon

White willow bark is one of the oldest home analgesics, dating back to 500 b.c. in China. Modern research confirms old-time wisdom, showing it helps back, osteoarthritic and nerve pains. Willow bark contains apigenin, salicin and salicylic acid, which provide anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-neuralgic actions. At the end of a four-week study of 210 individuals suffering from back pain, reported in the American Journal of Medicine in 2000, 39 percent of those who had received 240 mg of salicin daily were essentially pain-free, compared to 6 percent of those given a placebo.

Cinnamon is considered a pain-killer due to its prostaglandin-inhibiting action.
Garcinia kola appeared to have clinically significant analgesic/anti-inflammatory effects in knee osteoarthritis patients. Garcinia kola is a potential osteoarthritis disease activity modifier



3) Rhodi Ultimate (Formerly Rhodigandha)
contains Rhodiola and Ashwagandha, Acai, Pomegranate
For people who suffer from neurological disorders, rhodiola rosea may be able to offer the comfort needed to enjoy day-to-day living. The herb acts as a muscle relaxant and also regulates blood flow.
For those who suffer from fibromyalgia, rhodiola rosea regulates the adrenal glands which may not be producing enough cortisol. Cortisol is used by the body to reduce muscle stress and pain. In some people, the adrenal glands secrete too much cortisol and a person may not have enough to sustain them throughout the day. Rhodiola rosea is used to help the adrenal gland slow down and secrete enough cortisol for the entire day. This helps a person who is suffering from fibrolmyalgia to sleep through the night and function normally throughout the day.
Ashwagandha also relaxes blood vessels and stimulates circulation and has an anti-inflammatory and tonic effect in rheumatic and autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Animal studies have found that naturally occurring steroids in ashwaganda are more potent than treatment with the synthetic steroid hydrocortisone for controlling inflammation. Ashwagandha is also used in the treatment of low back pain and sciatica.





The products and the claims made about specific products have not been evaluated by the United States Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other health care professional or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging.