The Truth About Anti-Inflammatories
You may be surprised to learn the percentage of people who consume Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS) before a running event or exercise. Approximately 50% of runners admit to performing such!! That begs the question how many don't admit to it!
How do I recognise an NSAID?
If we consider the NSAID ladder as:
Ibuprofen
Naproxen
Diclofenac
Aspirin!!
Why might people be forgiven for taking NSAIDS? Ibuprofen (the bottom of the NSAID ladder) is cheaply and readily available without prescription and is an effective pain relief and anti-inflammatory. However, there is NO EVIDENCE that taking NSAIDS reduces or prevents soreness after exercise! Additionally, there is NO EVIDENCE that taking NSAIDS prophylactic (Regularly) has NO BENEFIT in performance enhancement!
Why?
Because the injuries sports people report are typically not inflammatory in nature, they're typically degenerative (Over-use) in nature, typically tendinopathies! I often use the analogy of a rope pulling over a pulley and getting frayed, not swollen!
Listen up, here comes the science bit
Anti-inflammatories work by inhibiting the formation of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins make the body feel pain more and increase inflammation, so surely blocking these is a good thing, right?
Actually, no! The body makes prostaglandins for a reason. Prostaglandins protect the stomach lining, therefore excessive use can lead to stomach lining bleeding and ulceration. Hence a GP should prescribe you something such as Omeprazole or Lansoprozole. Note I said the word "prescribe". These stomach liners are prescription only, which means you will not have access to these when you buy that cheap packet of ibuprofen over the pharmacy counter.
Prostaglandins also aid blood flow to your kidneys. This is pretty unremarkable when you're not exercising, however when you are, blood flow is reduced to the kidneys by approximately 50% naturally. Therefore this reduces blood flow even further, meaning the kidneys struggle to pass water and you are at a high risk of going into retention!
This can even lead to hyponatraemia (low salts in your blood). In turn, to unconsciousness and in extreme circumstances, death!
Water retention can present as oedema (Swelling), particularly around the extremities. Therefore, taking regular anti-inflammatories can lead to inflammation!! Prostaglandins also have a role in the repair of tissue and tissue adaption after exercise. Therefore NSAIDS can increase your risk of stress fractures and delay the healing process!
Can it get any worse? Regular taking of NSAIDS increases your risk of Stroke and Heart Attack!
Again, like all medication, there are a people who NEED to take regular anti-inflammatories and will have had the risks discussed and out-weighed with their GP. But used prophylactic by keen exercisers should seriously be reconsidered!
