Which suppliments to take for a heavy Ibuprofen user?

[Tosh.Suku]

I'm not sure where this thread belongs but I've noticed in the short time I've been here that some people on here are like professional nutrientists, they know exactly what vitamims and suppliments to take when they are not using their drug of choice.

You know, to help their bodies repair the damage done the night before. I'm looking into cold water extraction but in the meantime I can't help but feel there is more I can be doing on my "off" days to help my body heal itself from the consistant 1-2 grams of ibuprofen I'm consuming almost everyday, besides drinking a lot of water.

I'm asking here because I can't go to a doctor and ask the same thing. "Can you recommend the right amounts of the right suppliments/minerals/vitamens for someone who is abusing vicoprofen (200mg Ibuprofen / 7.5mg Hydrocodone)?"

What I know about this subject is that Ibuprofen is making my GI track and kidneys work overtime. So I guess a better question would be what are good things to take to help your GI track and kidneys?

If I ever do go see a doctor, are there any specific tests I should ask for to identify if I have any problems with my liver, kidneys, GI etc without tipping my hat to the fact that I'm addicted to something that forces me to take shitloads of ibuprofen?

Could it be as simple as taking 1 multi-vitamin a day? Or should I go heavy on one thing and less on another? You know how they sell Multivitamins for men, multivitamins for women, vitamins for kids? What I'm looking for help on is to create a multi-vitamin for long term Vicoprofen users.

 

[Jabberwocky]

homeless to Healthy Living

 

[effie]

From a medical point of view, the damage ibuprofen does to your GI tract is acually primarily to your stomach - it inhibits prostaglandins which provide a protective gel-like layer over your stomach lining, protecting it from the acid in your stomach (which has an extrenely low pH). Taking a supplement which will overall help your GI health isn't going to prevent this from happening, and the damage to your stomach leads to gastric bleeding which can sometimes be fatal - so I would be very wary of taking a herbal supplement to counteract that. Something that is proven to reduce acid levels like a PPI (eg omeprazole) or ranitidine - although this is less effective - is your best bet to protect your stomach.

The same applies to your kidneys - again the prostaglandin inhibition is the culpret, reducing blood flow to your kidneys which in susceptible people, or people who become dehydrated, can lead to kidney failure. I don't want to worry you - if your kidneys are normal and functioning well then this isn't an issue - but if you get sick, or dehydrated, or if you take another medication which is nephrotoxic (toxic to the kidneys) then it could cause problems.

I am not knocking supplements and vitamins at all, but in a case like this where the consequences could be very dangerous or fatal it concerns me when people put too much faith in vitamins and supplements. In general people hugely underestimate the damage that ibuprofen and other NSAIDs like aspirin can do. By all means take supplements to try to generally keep those organs healthy, but if you want to protect your stomach and kidneys you need to make sure you don't exceed the daily maxiumum and you don't take it every day. I am really glad you mentioned a cold water extraction - you should be removing most of the ibuprofen anyway so you won't be consuming 1-2 grams per day, which is really good to hear

 

[panic in paradise]

Ibuprofen depends on Cellular Oxidization to work, this is really bad, Turmeric is one of the best things to counter that.

Turmeric Health Benefits: Have a Happy New Year With Turmeric
quoted from link source

Here's a quick roundup of recent research on both turmeric and curcumin.

* Curcumin seems to delay liver damage that can eventually lead to cirrhosis, according to preliminary experimental research at the Medical University Graz in Austria.

* Kansas State University research found that adding certain spices, including turmeric, can reduce the levels of heterocyclic amines -- carcinogenic compounds that are formed when meats are barbecued, boiled or fried -- by up to 40 percent.

* Rodent studies at the University of Texas indicate that curcumin inhibits the growth of a skin cancer, melanoma and also slows the spread of breast cancer into the lungs.

* Researchers from the University of South Dakota have found that pretreatment with curcumin makes cancer cells more vulnerable to chemo and radiotherapy.

*** Epidemiologists have hypothesized that the turmeric that is part of daily curries eaten in India may help explain the low rate of Alzheimer's disease in that country. Among people aged 70 to 79, the rate is less than one-quarter that of the United States.

 

[panic in paradise]

your highs, and my highs, most anyones more often then not, for the sole reason of "oxidization", is costing our families genetics ultimately...

 

[panic in paradise]

^...i want some.

with turmeric i usually will have 3 or so grams in 8-10 oz milk, curcumin i take with fish oil and water, the omegas help to transport the stuff into and around the lymphatic system, GI.

 

[Tosh.Suku]

from http://www.fitnessgoop.com/2010/07/turmeric-vs-nsaids-for-knee-osteoarthritis/

"While turmeric is a great alternative for its anti-inflammatory effects, the herb is also used clinically to support the liver’s detoxification processes (it may alter metabolism of certain prescription drugs); additionally, it is a potent anti-oxidant as well as a blood thinner secondary to its antiplatelet aggregating activity (*Caution for those on Warfarin or Aspirin). "

Turmeric and curcumin seem very interesting, explains why they are so deeply entrenched into middle eastern/asian society. I probably could not include this herb in my daily diet. It's just too exotic taste-wise. Also, I'm not a big fan of indian food.

 

[rickolasnice]

Wait..

Why can't you do a CWE?

 

[Sturnam]

I agree with rickolasnice; ibuprofen is very poorly soluble in water (<1 mg/mL of water)

That aside, take it with milk, yogurt, or other food every time. Stomach acid reducers (ranitidine, omeprazole) help. And as far as abnormal function of liver/kidneys, a routine blood test will check those. Also, if you experience severe stomach pain or dark black stools (feces), then it could be an indication of an ulcer.

However, given ibuprofen's solubility, you should easily be able to limit your ibuprofen consumption to 50mg a day max.

Source for solubility: http://www.rxlist.com/ibuprofen-drug.htm

Besides those, I doubt there's any vitamin that will actually help. Vitamins aren't what you need for this.

 

[panic in paradise]

from http://www.fitnessgoop.com/2010/07/turmeric-vs-nsaids-for-knee-osteoarthritis/

"While turmeric is a great alternative for its anti-inflammatory effects, the herb is also used clinically to support the liver’s detoxification processes (it may alter metabolism of certain prescription drugs); additionally, it is a potent anti-oxidant as well as a blood thinner secondary to its antiplatelet aggregating activity (*Caution for those on Warfarin or Aspirin). "

Turmeric and curcumin seem very interesting, explains why they are so deeply entrenched into middle eastern/asian society. I probably could not include this herb in my daily diet. It's just too exotic taste-wise. Also, I'm not a big fan of indian food.

it hardly tastes like anything, and there is no after taste, just an earthy flavor then its gone.
(turmeric and sea-salt is one of the best things for ones teeth)

i love the taste, but also take curcumin with black-pepper and that is tasteless.


when i do take turmeric, which is two-three times a day, i will fill half a water bottle with milk, add several grams of turumeric, shake it up and gulP. i especially like it with a Tbsp of Tea Masala(Chai) and a little bit of Honey...

i actually have some waiting for me...

amazing the history of the stuff though isnt it -
good medicine.