The Gateway Drug of the Pharmaceutical Industry (NSAIDs Part 3)

This week we’re learning about non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs.  First, we went over how they cause lasting damage to your body, then, we dove deeper into the negative effects on your cells and your body.  Today, I’m going to show you some alternatives to taking NSAIDs.

Most of these treatments work by inhibiting the COX-1 or COX-2 pathway.  Cyclooxygenase, often abbreviated as “COX” is a chemical catalyst in your body that speeds up the production of other chemicals in your body that cause inflammation and pain.  The pathway is the way these chemical reactions link together.  If you inhibit or disrupt the pathway, then the result could be prevented. So, treatments that inhibit the COX-1 or COX-2 pathway reduce their ability to cause pain.

Foods to Try

There are inflammation-reducing foods that can suit any taste!  At the end of this article, I’ve linked some of my own recipes incorporating these foods.

Fruit

• Apples
• Bananas (and Resistant Starch)
• Blueberries
• Citrus
• Grapes
• Pineapple
• Raspberries
• Strawberries
• Tomatoes  (that’s right, we’re saying tomatoes are fruit! Avoid if nightshade intolerant)

Vegetables

• Aloe Vera
• Artichokes
• Beet
• Broccoli Sprouts
• Celery
• Chili Pepper
• Chives

Mushrooms

• Cordyceps
• Cyclocybe
• Lion's Mane
• Reishi
• Shiitake

Drinks

• Black Tea
• Chamomile Tea
• Coffee (like super coffee)
• Green Tea
• Mangosteen Juice
• Red Wine
• Rooibos Tea
• Yerba Mate

Spices, Seasonings, and Oils

• Black Cumin Seed Oil
• Cacao Nibs/Chocolate
• Coconut Oil
• Fennel
• Fish Oil
• Flaxseed
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Honey
• Hops
• Licorice
• Mint
• Olive Oil
• Parsley
• Peanuts (high in lectins)
• Rosemary
• Soy (high in phytoestrogens)
• Thyme
• Turmeric

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In addition to including more of these foods in your diet, supplements can also naturally reduce pain.  In fact, many of these supplements are derived from anti-inflammatory foods.

1. Bromelain
2. Butyrate
3. Cordyceps
4. Curcumin (Turmeric)
5. EGCG (Green Tea)
6. DHA/EPA
7. Milk Thistle
8. N-Acetyl-Cysteine
9. Resveratrol
10. Spirulina

See the full list of supplements that can replace NSAIDs here.

Lifestyle Changes to Make

It’s important to recognize that some of our daily habits and lifestyle choices may also be leading to pain.  Here are some new routines you can incorporate into your life to reduce pain.

• Ketosis - staying in ketosis reduces inflammation and can help for systemic pain
• Meditation
• Physical Therapy - getting professional physical therapy can retrain any physical damage
• Sauna - increases your body’s natural endorphins (feel good hormone)
• Sun Exposure - also increases your body’s natural endorphins
• Vagus Nerve Stimulation (use code LHE to get 15% off) - has similar benefits to meditation
• Yoga

That’s a wrap on NSAIDs!  I’d love to hear your feedback and experience trying some natural pain reduction alternatives.  Leave a comment below about how you’ve successfully alleviated pain naturally. What are your favorite biohacks?

TLDR: There are numerous natural alternatives for relieving pain like Bromelain or the foods in these recipes:

• Salad with Kale, Tomato, and Broccoli Sprouts with Ginger-Turmeric Dressing
• Honey Ginger Applesauce
• Banana Flour Brownies

Don’t forget to subscribe below and stay beautiful!

-Jacob