Approximately 30,000 cases of heart arrest and sudden cardiac death were attributed to Vioxx in the period between 1999 and 2003. This drug was related to increased incidence of heart attacks and strokes even before 2000, but Merck and the FDA kept silent on the matter. According to another research published in the Lancet Medical Journal, those using NSAID drugs are at an increased risk of heart attack and heart failure twice as much.

Why do so many people take NSAID drugs such as Ibuprofen?Ibuprofen-Advil-Kills-Thousands-Each-Year.-Here-Is-What-You-SHOULD-Be-Using-Instead.

Regular pain and inflammation have become the number one health issue at present. Although the best thing to do to address this condition is to make dietary changes, reduce stress and exposure to environmental pollution, people usually resort to over-the-counter drugs for immediate effect.  Thus, instead of eradicating the root cause that triggers pain and inflammation, which is a far better, but time-consuming process, people generally opt for instant solutions which not only worsen your health, but, can even lead to death.

Adverse health effects

The negative impact upon health is best illustrated with the use of ibuprofen, which has been linked to a greater risk of heart attack along with increased rate of cardiac mortality (in combination with aspirin). Studies have further linked ibuprofen to miscarriage, influenza mortality, hypertension, anemia, DNA damage, and hearing loss. Plus, the whole class of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs has come under scrutiny due to the adverse health effects it produces.

Research on NATURAL alternatives to Ibuprofen

However there are healthier alternatives to ibuprofen which have been backed up by science:

  1. John’s Wort – its pain-killing properties are twice as stronger and more efficient than ibuprofen (an animal study from 2004);
  2. Holy Basil – it contains anti-inflammatory properties as good as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen (study from 2000);
  3. Topical Arnica – it has the same effects as ibuprofen in cases of hand osteoarthritis , but with minor incidence of side effects (study published in 2007);
  4. Omega-3 fatty acids – 1200-2400mg daily are just as efficient as ibuprofen in reducing arthritis pain only with fewer side effects (human study from 2006);
  5. Ginger – its capsules (250mg 4 times a day) have the same effect as mefenamic acid and ibuprofen for menstrual pain relief (study published in 2009);
  6. Panax Ginseng – its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties are comparable to those in ibuprofen showing its possible anti-rheumatoid arthritis properties (an animal study from 2008);
  7. Chinese Skullcap (baicalin) –baicalin, the compound found in it, is similar to ibuprofen in reducing pain (animal study from 2003);
  8. Olive oil – oleocanthal, the compound in olive oil, has anti-inflammatory properties comparable to ibuprofen;
  9. Combination of Vitamin C, Ginkgo biloba, and Astaxanthin – this combination is even more powerful than ibuprofen in reducing respiratory inflammation caused by asthma (animal study from 2011);
  10. Anthocyanin from Raspberries and Sweet Cherries – it’s equally effective in suppressing inflammation-associated enzyme known as cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 as naproxen and ibuprofen (a study from 2001).

You should also be aware that there are other therapeutic approaches you can opt for which do not ask for ingestion, aroma therapy, for example. Still, the best thing to do is identify the root cause of pain and inflammation and strive toward eliminating it, which may also require a radical change in diet i.e. cutting off pro-inflammatory foods like dairy, wheat, wheat-green grains, nightshade vegetables, and more.