Natural, effective alternatives to acetaminophen
Last column, I revealed the shocking truth about acetaminophen, commonly used in hundreds of over-the-counter and prescription pain and fever medications. While there are times where acetaminophen is necessary and helpful, the incidences of accidental overdose are on the rise. According to the manufacturer’s own reports, the drug caused more than 26,300 hospitalizations in Canada between 2004 and 2013 alone, not including those in British Columbia or Quebec.
Acetaminophen is known to cause liver and kidney damage and is linked to certain cancers, risk of motor milestone delay, impaired communication skills and lower IQ scores in toddlers, physical abnormalities in sexual organ development, ADHD or autism and even death — just a few of the growing number of side effects.
Natural alternatives may often work better, without these side effects. In the case of analgesics (pain relievers) and antipyretics (fever reducers) like acetaminophen, there are a number of good alternatives.
Natural alternatives
Turmeric (curcumin): No list is complete without this powerful anti-inflammatory. This common kitchen spice is quickly becoming a superstar remedy for everything from pain, digestive disorders and diabetes to blood clots, inflammation and cancer. A 2009 study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine is just one of many that show turmeric works as well as ibuprofen for osteoarthritis pain. A 2012 study found it also reduced joint pain better than nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
(NSAIDS) for rheumatoid arthritis. A 2018 study also shows turmeric is a great candidate for use as a stand-alone analgesic or in combinations with opioid-, NSAID- or acetaminophen-based medications. Typical study doses range between 500–2,000 mg/ day. The World Health Organization (WHO) suggests 1.4 mg/ pound of body weight daily. Turmeric is best taken with a healthy fat such as coconut oil, along with a small amount of black pepper to significantly increase absorption.
Ginger: Studies show ginger is actually a more effective antiinflammatory than drugs like Tylenol and Advil when it comes to pain relief. A 2013 study revealed that ginger not only blocks the formation of inflammatory compounds, it also has antioxidant effects that break down existing inflammation and acidity in the fluid within the joints. For inflammatory, including pain, you can take two to three grams of powdered ginger per day, divided in doses. According to the University of Maryland Medical Centre, adults should limit ginger to no more than four grams daily.
Capsaicin: That really hot note in spicy peppers is capsaicin. As a topical (in creams and oils), capsicum works by decreasing the level of Substance P, a pain-signalling chemical. Topical capsaicin can help reduce nerve, muscle and joint pain and is available in various doses and can be used three or four times a day for pain.
White willow bark: The original analgesic in Aspirin, it contains salicin, which is naturally converted to salicylic acid (ASA) when digested. In its natural form, white willow bark can be effective for acute and chronic pain, including headaches, back and neck pain, as well as muscle aches, menstrual cramps, inflammation and fever. Choose standardized supplements containing 40 mg of salicin. For most conditions, take one or two pills, three times daily as needed, to a maximum dose of 60 to 120 mg.
There are many other natural alternatives to acetaminophen, including things like acupuncture, all of which work as well or better for pain, fever and other ailments. You just need to find out what works best for you. When taking any supplement, it is always best to speak to your health practitioner as they are as powerful as drugs in some cases.
If you have any natural health questions or something you would like more information about, feel free to email cmcmurray@herald.ca.
Cynthia Mcmurray is a Custom Content Editor with a passion for living healthy. She has written several books and research papers for nutritional and supplement companies, and can be regularly found in the health food aisle. She lives in Dartmouth with her family (two and four-legged).