Natural Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) Inhibitors (with Genetics and Pathways)

COX Basics

Cyclooxygenase (COX), officially known as prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase (PTGS), is an enzyme that is responsible for formation of prostanoids, including thromboxane and prostaglandins such as prostacyclin.

Inhibiting COX has been used by many pharmaceuticals to reduce pain and inflammation.

For example, Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin and ibuprofen, exert their effects through inhibition of COX. R

COX2 Inhibitors

Foods

• Apples R

• Alma R

• Aloe Vera R

• Artichokes R

• Bananas R

• Beets R

• Bergamot R

• Black Cumin Seed Oil R

• Black Tea R

• Blueberries R

• Broccoli Sprouts R

• Celery R

• Chamomile Tea R

• Chili Pepper R

• Chives R

• Chocolate R

• Citrus R

• Clove R

• Coffee (like Super Coffee) R

• Coconut Oil R

• Cyclocybe (Black Poplar Mushroom) R

• Eucalyptus R

• Fennel R

• Fish Oil R

• Flaxseed (high in phytoestrogens) R

• Garlic R

• Ginger R

• Grapes R

• Green Tea R

• Honey R

• Hops R

• Horseradish R

• Huckleberry R

• Licorice R

• Mangosteen Juice R

• Mint R

• Nasturtium R

• Nutmeg R

• Olive Oil R

• Parsley R

• Peanuts (high in lectins) R

• Pineapple R

• Prebiotics (specifically FOS) R

• Raspberries R

• Red Wine R

• Resistant Starch R

• Rooibos Tea R

• Rosemary R

• Shiitake R

• Soy (high in phytoestrogens) R

• Strawberries R

• Thyme R

• Tomatoes (avoid if nightshade intolerant) R

• Turmeric R

• Vigna (Bambara Groundnut) R

• Yerba Mate R

Hormones

• DHEA R

• Estrogen R

• Melatonin R

• Progesterone R

• Retinoic Acid (Retinol) R

• Vitamin D R

• Vitamin E R

Lifestyle

• Ketosis R

• Meditation R

• Physical Therapy

• Sauna R

• Sun Exposure P R

• Vagus Nerve Stimulation (use code LHE to get 15% off) R

• Yoga (breathing techniques in Yoga are important for the anti-inflammatory effect) R

Pathways

• Activate AMPK R

• Activate Endocannibinoids (take CBD, THC works, but can cause memory impairment) R R R R

• Activate PPARgamma R

• Activate NRF2 R

• Increasing BDNF R

• Inhibit FAAH R

• Inhibit GSK-3 R

• Inhibit HO-1 R

• Inhibit TRPV1 R

Supplements

• Ajoene R

• Alpha Lipoic Acid R

• Anthocyanins (like Bilberry or Blueberry Extract) R R R

• Apigenin R

• Artichoke Extract R

• Astaxanthin R

• Astragalus R

• Bacopa R

• Beetroot Powder R

• Berberine R

• Bitter Melon R

• Black Catechu R

• Black Cohosh R

• Black Seed R

• Boswellia R

• Bromelain R

• Butyrate R

• Caffeine R

• Capsicum (contrains Capsaicin) R

• Carnosol R

• Cat's Claw R

• Celery Seed R

• Chaga R

• Chamomile Extract R

• Chinese Sage (Danshen) R

• Chinese Skullcap (Baicalin) R R

• Chinese Yew R

• Chrysin (Passion Flower) R

• CoQ10 R

• Cordyceps R

• Curcumin R

• Daidzein R

• Devil's Claw R

• DHA/EPA R

• Dogwood Fruit R

• EGCG R

• Echinacea R

• Emodin (Rumex) R

• Epimedium (Horny Goat Weed/Icariin) R

• Figwort R

• Genistein R

• Ginkgo Biloba R

• Glossy Privet R

• Glucosamine R

• Glutathione R

• Grape Seed Extract R

• Gynostemma R

• Hesperedin R

• Honokiol (Magnolia) R

• Hops R

• Horseradish Extract R

• Jasmine R

• Ketones R

• Licorice R

• Lion's Mane P R

• Luteolin R

• Lycopene R

• Magnesium R

• Maitake Mushroom R

• Milk Thistle P R

• Moringa P R

• N-Acetyl-Cysteine R

• Narigenin R

• Nettle R

• Nicotine (Anatabine) R

• Olive Leaf (Hydroxytyrosol) R

• Panax Ginseng (Korean) R

• Perilla R

• Pterostilbene R

• PQQ R

• Pycnogenol R

• Quercetin R

• Rehmannia R

• Reishi R

• Resveratrol R

• Rhodiola Rosea R

• Rosmarinic Acid R

• Selenium R

• Shiitake R

• Sodium Benzoate (found in carbonated drinks, vinegar, fruit juices, pickles, etc) R

• Spirulina R

• Sulforaphane R

• St. Johns Wort (Hyperforin) R R

• Taxifolin R

• Theanine R

• Thunder God Vine R

• Tulsi (Holy Basil) R

• Ursolic Acid R

• Valerian R

• Vitamin B1 R

• Vitex R

• White Willow R

• Wormwood R

• Zinc R

Drugs:

• NSAIDs

Genetics

COX2/PTGS2

rs20417 (I'm CC)

• C Allele

  • 30% higher risk of diabetes (Pima Indian population) R

  • Lower risk of end-stage Osteoarthritis R

  • Higher risk of stroke (African American population) R

  • Lower risk of Myocardial Infarction and stroke (Italian population) R

• G Alleles

  • Greater risk of end-stage Osteoarthritis R

  • Higher benefit from NSAIDs for disease prevention R

rs5275 (I'm AG)

• AA Allele

  • may do better with NSAIDs R

  • higher levels of COX-2 R