No to NSAIDS
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are medicines that are widely used to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and bring down a high temperature.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are like double-edged swords: because of their accessibility as an over-the-counter drug, NSAIDs come along with an inherent feeling of safety. However, taking too many NSAIDs can interfere with proper healing of your gut tissues and cause real damage to your digestive system.
NSAIDs work by blocking certain enzymes in your body that are involved in inflammation. This is good in the short term, but those same enzymes also help protect your stomach lining and promote gut healing. Over time, breakdown in the stomach lining can lead to things like ulcers, internal bleeding, or even gut perforation. This perforation is known as leaky gut syndrome, where your gut becomes more permeable than it should be, letting matter slip through the gut wall into your bloodstream and triggering various inflammation and immune responses According to a study published in Therapeutic Advances in Gastroenterology, NSAID overuse was shown to contribute to these conditions ("Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug-induced Small Bowel Injury," 2018).
NSAID-induced gastrointestinal complications affect around 15 to 20 percent of chronic NSAID users, according to the American College of Gastroenterology. Those numbers increase if you're over the age of 65 or have a history of stomach problems ("NSAIDs and Peptic Ulcers," 2020).
So what are your supplement options if ? You may want to consider our favorite, NutriDyn’s Herbal Eze. Herbal Eze combines ginger root, turmeric root, Boswellia gum, and black pepper fruit to support immune function, ease stress, support joint discomfort, and more. The scientifically backed all-natural supplement is perfect for pain reductions, like treating headaches or sore muscles, while being easy on your stomach and gastrointestinal system.
If you're experiencing ongoing digestive complaints, or use/have used NSAIDS and are looking to cut back, you may feel at a loss to where to begin. We are happy to help. To connect with a provider, call our office or schedule a complimentary consult to see how our functional medicine services could benefit you in your personal health journey.
