WARNING: OTC Painkillers Do WHAT!?
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted July 9, 2022
Dear Living Well Daily Reader,
Most of us don’t think twice about taking a drug bought at the grocery store.
Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are supposed to be safe… otherwise they wouldn’t be so easy to access.
But the truth is, they’re far more dangerous than you think.
According to a 2016 study, about 60,000 people a year are hospitalized for acetaminophen overdose complications.
And that’s just ONE drug!
A new study found another yet another side effect – and it’s one that you especially don’t want in the middle of a pandemic.
As it turns out, these “safe” OTC painkillers could weaken your immune system.
A new study published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology found that painkillers could keep your immune system from fighting infections.
The researchers looked at many painkillers, including:
- acetaminophen (Tylenol),
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs (like aspirin, ibuprofen),
- and opioid analgesics (like morphine)
They found that morphine (which is, of course, a prescription drug) suppressed key immune cells and even increased the risk of infections.
The OTC drugs (acetaminophen, ibuprofen, aspirin) dropped people’s immune response to vaccination. This is a big problem because people often take these drugs to deal with the side effects of a vaccine (like headache, mild fever).
The researchers also discovered something peculiar: a skin infection can happen when people take ibuprofen if they have chickenpox, and the researchers suggested this too may have to do with a drop in immune system function.
A lot of people reach for over-the-counter drugs at the first sign of a sore throat, headache, or high temperature, but unknowingly are harming their immune system at the very time they need it most
The take-home message here is that over-the-counter drugs are not to be used lightly. If you are at risk of an infection, then think twice about popping a pill.
P.S. Your immune system isn’t the only thing at risk when you take painkillers. Find out what other damage they cause right here.
SOURCES:
Anderer, John. “Common pain relievers can weaken immune system’s defense against infectious diseases.”3/2/2022. https://www.studyfinds.org/pain-relievers-weaken-immune-system/
Castaneda, Rubin. “OTC Products: How Much Is Too Much?”. 6/3/2017. https://health.usnews.com/wellness/articles/2017-06-13/otc-products-how-much-is-too-much
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
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