| Melt Pain Away the All-Natural Way |
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| Herbs - Herbs 2010 |
| Written by Frank Mangano |
| Sunday, 19 December 2010 20:34 |
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When we stop taking something that’s harmful to our bodies, our health begins to improve almost immediately. For example, if you were a chain cigarette smoker for years, there’s no question that a lot of damage has been done to your body. But the moment you take that last puff, the health benefits begin to flow. Food tastes better. Deep breaths are possible again. Your blood pressure normalizes. You smell better (in more ways than one), and your lungs start to look healthier. The body’s resilient that way. But sometimes, our use of prescription medications can adversely affect the body’s resilience. At least that’s what a recent report seems to indicate. Vioxx Debacle You may recall that in 2004 Vioxx, the pain-killing prescription medication often prescribed to arthritis sufferers, was taken off the market by officials when an investigation found it may have led to some 27,000+ heart attacks and deaths between 1999 and 2003. Dire news like that tends to get around quickly, so it didn’t take long for users to stop taking the deadly drug so as to prevent any further health complications. But a recent report published in the Archives of Internal Medicine finds that Vioxx has lasting implications. Researchers discovered Vioxx’s viciousness after reviewing the medical histories of 600 patients that had taken either the drug or a placebo for 18 months, looking to see is if any adverse conditions resulted in the patients a year after they’d stopped taking either pill. Their findings reveal that among the men and women who went off the Vioxx pill, 22 went on to develop blood clots, and 23 deaths! Meanwhile, among the men and women taking the placebo, six developed blood clots and nine died. Quite the contrast! The researchers were quick to play down the findings, however, saying in an email sent to Reuters, “At this point, there isn’t evidence to suggest that patients need to discuss with their physicians whether they are at increased risk after discontinuing Vioxx more than six years ago.” Let’s hope not, even though the findings sure seem to suggest there is a risk. In the meantime, consider this a not-so-subtle reminder as to why the all-natural lifestyle for treating and preventing ailments is always preferable to conventional methods. This advice falls on deaf ears, though, when you’re the one in pain. And I understand why it does. After all, when you’re the one in pain, you want the pain to stop then and there! Fortunately, there are some all-natural ways to put pain in its place. Any sensation of physical pain we feel results from inflammation. Inflammation – the swelling, redness, and twinges of hot we feel wherever we’re hurting– is the body’s reaction to stimuli that harms us. It’s basically the body’s way of telling us, “Ow! That hurts!!” To minimize pain, then, one must supply their body with natural anti-inflammatories. Natural Anti-Inflammatories Mint Oil I recently chronicled peppermint’s rich nutritional prowess, but I didn’t go into enough depth on its healing touch. Fortunately, researchers from Scotland University of Edinburg took care of that for me by outlining the ways in which mint oil, when applied topically, can reduce the pain caused by a variety of health issues such as arthritis or nerve damage. And while there’s at least anecdotal evidence suggesting mint oil can relieve pain resulting from the common cold, toothaches, morning sickness, shingles, IBS and itchy skin, scientific studies support peppermint’s ability to relieve tension headaches, stomach pain, cramping, and heartburn. Curcumin Imagine going to your spice rack instead of your medicine cabinet for pain relief. Well, with curcumin, that’s possible. Olives Yes, believe it or not, olives aren’t just for salads, sandwiches or skewering with toothpicks. Rich in iron, vitamin E and copper, olives are also rich in anti-inflammatory ingredients called hydroxytyrosol and oleocanthal. In 2005, a study conducted by Monell Chemical Senses Center found these two compounds to have anti-inflammatory effects, performing similarly to Vioxx, but without the side effects (i.e. they inhibited the activity of cox-2, the enzyme in the body that triggers inflammation). The most abundant sources of these compounds are found in olive leaf extract. Glucosamine What Batman and Robin are to Gotham City crime, glucosamine and chondroitin are to pain: They put a stop to it. Another similarity the tandems bear is their effectiveness. Yes, Robin serves as a trusty sidekick to the Dark Knight, but no one would be so bold as to suggest Robin is Batman’s equal. So it goes with glucosamine and chondroitin: Glucosamine seems to be a more effective pain reliever. Researchers believe the reason for this is because glucosamine is absorbed more readily than chondroitin. Omega-3s It seems there’s nothing omega-3 fatty acids can’t do. From heart health to cancer protection, brain health to joint health, consuming more omega-3s will work wonders on almost all aspects of your life. And that includes pain relief. A 2007 review of 17 different trials involving omega-3 supplementation concluded that they helped reduce arthritis sufferers’ pain intensity by 26 percent and morning stiffness by 43 percent. And because their pain episodes were so improved, NSAID use declined as well (by 40 percent). With the long-term health effects of pain relievers like Vioxx well documented, all-natural pain relief should be your first line of defense from now on. Sources
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