* Download comes with a free subscription to our newsletter. You can unsubscribe any time. You will not get duplicate emails if you download more than one report.
Multiple studies have now linked chronic use of these painkillers with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. They mechanisms appear to be mediated through the inhibition of an enzyme known as Cox 2. There have been a couple of mechanisms investigated in animal studies. First, NSAIDs have been shown to inhibit the production of a molecule called prostacyclin that relaxes blood vessels and “unglues” platelets. Second, they have been shown to inhibit the production of nitric oxide (which cox 2 also regulates to some degree).
To hear a longer discuss surounding NSAIDS and heart attack risk, as well as the relevance of curcumin in pain-relief make sure to check out JRE#773 or, more recently, Tim Ferriss Show #237 where both topics are discussed.
JRE # 773 at 1:09
I buy fresh turmeric from the grocery store, cut 5g chunks and freeze them. As an Ibuprophen alternative, I add to my normal daily smoothie the following: a chunk of turmeric, and some fresh ground pepper (I try to eyeball at least ~50mg). I share this with my wife. This gives me roughly 2.5g turmeric and 25mg ground pepper. There is some room for improvement as I do not know how much curcumin is in my fresh turmeric or how much piperine is in my black pepper, but this is a good start. To quote Willy Wanka “…A few more tests”
I use aspirin only. I also use some willow bark…curcumin…turmeric…etc…
It turns out that aspirin not only increases the function of mitochondria, it also increases the number of mitochondria. Using a staining method called MitoTracker Green dye, the researchers discovered that aspirin increased the total concentration of mitochondria by two to three times. Since the most notable hallmark of aging is decreased numbers of mitochondria with decreased mitochondrial function, this data makes aspirin look like the best anti-aging substance that has ever come along.
So should we all run out and start taking aspirin every day? I think there is a better way. It turns out that within a matter of less than 15 minutes, the liver converts aspirin to another substance called salicylic acid. So the researchers reasoned that the effects of aspirin might be from salicylic acid instead of from aspirin itself. So to test for that, they repeated the same experiments using salicylic acid instead of aspirin. And guess what? The results were the same! The salicylic acid did just as well as the aspirin. And salicylic acid does not have the side effect baggage that aspirin has. So how can we take advantage of this new information? It’s quite easy.
Willow bark is an herb that contains the substance salicin. And when we eat willow bark, our livers convert the salicin to salicylic acid. So by taking willow bark, it is possible to get the same mitochondrial-stimulating effects that come from aspirin.
And if you don’t have any arthritis you can get willow bark extract at Amazon. I recommend the Swanson’s 25% extract. Take two per day for the longevity effect. Dr. Frank Shallenberger
I just wish this was more feasible for the average person as a pain relief alternative. At $40/bottle with 2 capsules containing a 500mg dose, one would need to ingest nearly 75% of the bottle to achieve a 2g dosage. However, I have begun taking this product for the numerous health benefits you have illuminated in several podcasts. Thank you for making me aware.
How does Aspirin compare to the NSAIDs in this study? It’s out of favor in recent years as a pain reliever and fever reducer. This study makes me think it could be a better alternative and make a comeback.