Do you pop ibuprofen every time you get an ache or pain? Do you take it before a workout thinking it will keep you from getting sore? Do you take it after a workout with the believe you will recover faster?
If you answered yes to any those you need to stop taking Ibuprofen and all other NSAIDs (non steroidal anti-inflammatories). Research is showing that taking NSAIDs before and during a marathon actually increased inflammation! Researchers have also discovered that NSAIDs block the body’s natural healig mechanisms.
“Researchers have found that, in laboratory experiments on animal tissues, NSAIDs actually slowed the healing of injured muscles, tendons, ligament, and bones. “NSAIDs work by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins,”substances that are involved in pain and also in the creation of collagen, Warden says. Collagen is the building block of most tissues. So fewer prostaglandins mean less collagen, “which inhibits the healing of tissue and bone injuries,” Warden says, including the micro-tears and other trauma to muscles and tissues that can occur after any strenuous workout or race.
The painkillers also blunt the body’s response to exercise at a deeper level. Normally, the stresses of exercise activate a particular molecular pathway that increases collagen, and leads, eventually, to creating denser bones and stronger tissues. If “you’re taking ibuprofen before every workout, you lessen this training response,” Warden says. Your bones don’t thicken and your tissues don’t strengthen as they should. They may be less able to withstand the next workout. In essence, the pills athletes take to reduce the chances that they’ll feel sore may increase the odds that they’ll wind up injured — and sore.”
from the article Does Ibuprofen Help or Hurt
For years I’ve been telling people not to take ibuprofen because of some strain or mild discomfort, ibuprofen masks the pain an increases the likeliehood of causing more trauma to the area. Pain is your body’s way of telling you to be careful of the affected area or to stop altogether. If you block your body’s messages you’ll wind up causing more problems.
Another factor is the quantity of ibuprofen people take. The maximum recommended dosage is 800 mg, many people take that much 3 or 4 times per day and then wonder why they have stomach issues. NSAIDs are very hard on the stomach lining and will causing internal bleeding and can also cause bacteria to leak out of the gut and into the bloodstream (endotoxemia) and can also cause kidney problems. Many people report painful low back issues after taking NSAIDs, that is your kidney’s saying stop!
So when should you take NSAIDs? According to the report when you have an inflammation and pain from an acute injury and as soon as the inflammation goes away you should stop taking them.
