Those are the Breaks

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" HSI - Jenny Thompson " <HSIResearch

HSI e-Alert - Those are the Breaks

Tue, 06 Sep 2005 07:00:00 -0400

 

 

 

 

HSI e-Alert - Those are the Breaks

 

Health Sciences Institute e-Alert

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September 06, 2005

 

 

 

Dear Reader,

 

When I was very young my family lived next door to an elderly woman

named Mrs. Russo who enjoyed working in her garden. One winter evening

Mrs. Russo took a spill after an ice storm and fractured a bone in her

leg. A few days later I overheard her say to my mother that she

counted herself lucky because it could have been so much worse. By

spring she was fine again and we kids often said hello to her when we

saw her out watering and weeding her long rows of corn, tomatoes,

zucchini and peppers.

 

Sometime the following year Mrs. Russo slipped on a wet floor. This

time she wasn't so lucky; she broke her hip. After a long recovery she

was able to get around fairly well with a cane, but her gardening days

were over, and as I grew up I missed seeing her out working in her

back yard.

 

I thought of Mrs. Russo when I came across a study about nonsteroidal

anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). I have no idea what medications she

might have taken to relieve the pain from those bad breaks, but if she

resorted to NSAIDs use after her first fracture, she might have

inadvertently contributed to her broken hip.

 

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Strength in union

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In several e-Alerts and HSI Members Alerts we've told you how NSAIDs

(such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and COX-2 inhibitors) have been shown to

play a role in liver and kidney impairment, gastrointestinal problems,

and even an increased risk of congestive heart failure. To that list

we can now add: elevated risk of bone fracture.

 

In the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, two

researchers from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine

(UNC) reviewed several studies that examined the use of NSAIDs as

analgesics for patients recovering from fractures.

 

One of the studies - as reported in the Journal of Bone Joint Surgery

(2000) - compared the recovery of nearly 100 patients who had

fractured a femur (the long bone that runs from the hip to the knee).

The fractures of 32 subjects healed improperly and were classified as

" nonunion, " while fractures repaired correctly in a control group of

67 subjects.

 

The researchers found a significant association between the use of

NSAIDs and the nonunion of fractures. More than 60 percent of the

nonunion group reported regular NSAID use compared to only 13 percent

in the control group. Among the subjects who used NSAIDs, the average

healing time was a full two months longer than among those who used no

NSAIDs at all.

 

Based on this and other similar studies, the UNC researchers concluded

that during the healing of fractures, NSAIDs should be avoided. They

also noted that COX-2 inhibitors not only have an adverse effect on

bone healing, but may also impair the healing of ligaments.

 

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Pineapple pain relief

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It's one thing for a researcher to crunch some numbers and recommend

that NSAIDs not be used to manage fracture pain. But that same

researcher might have a different opinion if he were to suddenly find

his own femur in two pieces rather than one. The problem is, there

aren't a lot of pain relief alternatives out there.

 

Acetaminophen isn't an NSAID, and it can be an effective pain killer,

but as I've mentioned in previous e-Alerts (see " Flick of the Wrist "

1/19/04), acetaminophen products can create health problems that are

arguably worse than those of NSAIDs.

 

A safe alternative to both acetaminophen and NSAIDs is a natural agent

called bromelain, which we wrote about extensively in both the June

1999 and October 1999 Members Alerts. Bromelain is an enzyme found in

pineapple, and it's been shown to reduce pain, inflammation, and

swelling, AND help thin the blood as well.

 

Some people are allergic to bromelain, and ulcer patients should avoid

using it. For most people, however, bromelain is free of side effects.

A dose of 500 mg, taken three times each day, is typical for general

pain management. But before starting a bromelain regimen, you should

consult an M.D. or healthcare professional who's knowledgeable about

alternative medicine.

 

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The meal factor

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In most cases, supplements are absorbed most effectively when taken

with meals. But bromelain is the exception to that rule. In the

e-Alert " Water Works " (9/16/03), I told you about an important

bromelain tip from HSI Panelist Dr. Richard Cohan, D.D.S., M.B.A.

 

In an e-mail, Dr. Cohan wrote, " I believe that it is important that

you draw the distinction between bromelain's activity as a digestive

aid when consumed with a meal, and its effectiveness as a pain

modulator when consumed before a meal or three hours thereafter

(depending how much fat was consumed and therefore how long digestive

juices are present in the stomach). It apparently has no effect on

pain when consumed with a meal. "

 

 

 

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....and another thing

 

As a group, arthritis patients consume enormous amounts of NSAIDs and

other painkillers. But there's another natural alternative for

treating arthritis pain, and it just might make former President and

peanut farmer Jimmy Carter very happy.

 

I received an e-mail from an HSI member named Marijo who describes

this pain reliever as " Just plain old peanut oil from the grocery

store. Rub on a little, just like a lotion. You can wipe off the

excess. I don't know how it works, I only know that it does. I suspect

that it is absorbed by the skin and lubricates the joints, but I don't

really know. I hope you can use this information. I have helped a

number of people become pain free by telling them about it. "

 

A quick check of the Internet shows that Marijo's topical peanut oil

rub to relieve arthritis pain is apparently a well-known therapy. In

fact, there are many lotions, salves, and creams containing peanut oil

that are promoted for arthritis and rheumatism pain. Many of the

sources I found quoted Edgar Cayce - the " sleeping prophet " - as

stating that those who take a weekly peanut oil rub " need never fear

arthritis. "

 

If you want to try the peanut oil therapy, keep in mind that not all

peanut oils are created equal. Marijo seems to have enjoyed good

results with peanut oil from the grocery, but she might get even

better results with pure extra virgin peanut oil, with no added

solvents, dyes or preservatives.

 

To Your Good Health,

 

Jenny Thompson

 

 

 

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Sources:

 

" Effects of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs on Bone formation and

Soft-Tissue Healing " Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic

Surgeons, Vol. 12, No. 3, May-June 2004, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

 

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