Delicious OTC Flammatory
August 25, 2022 1:43 PM Subscribe
Sometimes when I'm worn out, it can really help to take an anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. It can also really help to eat a favorite snack, like fruit or even a candy bar. But people say that sugar is inflammatory. So what's the functional intersection between these two interventions, if that's true? Or is it true?
Best answer: I suspect (in)flammation is a red herring. Low blood sugar and mild pain can both contribute to feeling exhausted. Candy fights one and painkillers fight the other.
posted by nebulawindphone at 2:00 PM on August 25, 2022 [11 favorites]
posted by nebulawindphone at 2:00 PM on August 25, 2022 [11 favorites]
Best answer: The idea that sugar causes inflammation is total pseudoscience spread by people trying to convince you to try the latest fad diet. Enjoy your candy bar.
posted by dorothy hawk at 2:03 PM on August 25, 2022 [33 favorites]
posted by dorothy hawk at 2:03 PM on August 25, 2022 [33 favorites]
Best answer: Disclaimer that I am not a doctor, I am not your doctor, and this is not medical advice.
I think that some of the talk about "inflammation" is a little bit on the "woo" side - like, yes, there are some cases where if a specific body part is inflamed then it's a bad thing, but I've often heard of people recommending this or that thing as a treatment for generalized overall "inflammation" - without specifying what is inflamed or how the thing you're treating that inflammation for is treating it.
Ibuprofen does treat inflammation - but it is more specifically designed to treat inflammation that is causing pain. It's something you take when you twist your ankle and your muscle is injured; the injured muscle swells up, and you take the ibuprofen to bring the swelling down in that muscle so that it doesn't hurt and so your muscle recovers faster. Or - I personally also take it when I have a sinus headache, because part of the cause of that sinus headache is swollen sinus tissue getting all clogged up and hurting. The ibuprofen reduces that swelling and the pain eases as a result.
I'm a little uneasy at the idea of taking ibuprofen simply if one is "worn out" - what exactly is the cause of this being "worn out" that simply rest and a healthy meal wouldn't be better at fixing? And ibuprofen also is dangerous if you take it to excess - it can cause bleeding in the stomach or intestines.
As for sugar causing inflammation - I just googled that, and I have to admit I had to go through a whole bunch of links before I found something that was from a source I'd trust, something from the Harvard Medical School. They say that too much sugar can cause problems - but it doesn't look like they say "sugar", period, causes problems. And they focus more on chronic inflammation, which sounds more like a problem that builds up over time - like, the occasional candy bar won't do it, it comes from eating an entire box of Ding-Dongs every night without fail for 12 years straight or something.
So - I wouldn't worry so much about generalized "inflammation", and would instead examine why you might be feeling "worn out" and treat that. How well are you sleeping? Are you hitting the gym to the point that you're wearing yourself out and then going even further? Is your overall diet balanced? If you are generally healthy overall, and it's just the occasional "I had a hell of a day at work today" run-down feeling, you can go ahead and enjoy a candy bar if you don't have time for a nap. And save the ibuprofen for headaches or twisted ankles.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 2:09 PM on August 25, 2022 [17 favorites]
I think that some of the talk about "inflammation" is a little bit on the "woo" side - like, yes, there are some cases where if a specific body part is inflamed then it's a bad thing, but I've often heard of people recommending this or that thing as a treatment for generalized overall "inflammation" - without specifying what is inflamed or how the thing you're treating that inflammation for is treating it.
Ibuprofen does treat inflammation - but it is more specifically designed to treat inflammation that is causing pain. It's something you take when you twist your ankle and your muscle is injured; the injured muscle swells up, and you take the ibuprofen to bring the swelling down in that muscle so that it doesn't hurt and so your muscle recovers faster. Or - I personally also take it when I have a sinus headache, because part of the cause of that sinus headache is swollen sinus tissue getting all clogged up and hurting. The ibuprofen reduces that swelling and the pain eases as a result.
I'm a little uneasy at the idea of taking ibuprofen simply if one is "worn out" - what exactly is the cause of this being "worn out" that simply rest and a healthy meal wouldn't be better at fixing? And ibuprofen also is dangerous if you take it to excess - it can cause bleeding in the stomach or intestines.
As for sugar causing inflammation - I just googled that, and I have to admit I had to go through a whole bunch of links before I found something that was from a source I'd trust, something from the Harvard Medical School. They say that too much sugar can cause problems - but it doesn't look like they say "sugar", period, causes problems. And they focus more on chronic inflammation, which sounds more like a problem that builds up over time - like, the occasional candy bar won't do it, it comes from eating an entire box of Ding-Dongs every night without fail for 12 years straight or something.
So - I wouldn't worry so much about generalized "inflammation", and would instead examine why you might be feeling "worn out" and treat that. How well are you sleeping? Are you hitting the gym to the point that you're wearing yourself out and then going even further? Is your overall diet balanced? If you are generally healthy overall, and it's just the occasional "I had a hell of a day at work today" run-down feeling, you can go ahead and enjoy a candy bar if you don't have time for a nap. And save the ibuprofen for headaches or twisted ankles.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 2:09 PM on August 25, 2022 [17 favorites]
Best answer: Acetaminophen is not an anti-inflammatory (though ibuprofen is). They are both painkillers, though.
posted by heatherlogan at 2:23 PM on August 25, 2022 [12 favorites]
posted by heatherlogan at 2:23 PM on August 25, 2022 [12 favorites]
Best answer: Have you tried a control experiment where you drink the water that you would drink with the painkiller, but don't take the painkiller? (Asked because mild dehydration is a very common cause of feeling worn out.)
posted by heatherlogan at 2:27 PM on August 25, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by heatherlogan at 2:27 PM on August 25, 2022 [3 favorites]
Best answer: Fruits and vegetables are pretty much always a good idea, even if fruit has some sugar in it. You could have some fruit and a dish heavy in turmeric (veggie Indian food?), and see if it does as well. Personally I'd likely take some ibuprofen with it just for optimal anti-inflammatory improvements.
But mostly, there are no magic bullets - eat some healthy food (ie fruit, veg, protein), and you're likely to feel better, regardless.
posted by ldthomps at 3:29 PM on August 25, 2022
But mostly, there are no magic bullets - eat some healthy food (ie fruit, veg, protein), and you're likely to feel better, regardless.
posted by ldthomps at 3:29 PM on August 25, 2022
Best answer: Sugar gives you an energy boost, literally, your blood sugar increases. Sugar is pretty bad for you, and if you eat any processed food, you already get a fair bit. Fiber helps your body manage sugar, so consider some dried apricots, a banana or apple, even a not too sweet granola bar.
My B12 gets low sometimes and I start dragging; easily resolved. I find that my energy is better all day if I have some protein in the morning, even homemade muffins with walnuts and an extra egg in the mix help.
The simplest test for dehydration is the color of your urine; it should be no darker than apple juice. But drinking some water is a good idea, anyway.
An MD has assured me that sugar contributes to inflammation, so since it's already problematic, no harm in reducing sugar in your diet.
Occasional use of ibuprofen seems pretty healthy, acetaminophen a bit less so, but occasional appears safe. If you need pain killers regularly, I'd look at solving the underlying problem. A short walk outdoors can be surprisingly reviving, but when I'm tired, my motivation tanks.
posted by theora55 at 4:37 PM on August 25, 2022
My B12 gets low sometimes and I start dragging; easily resolved. I find that my energy is better all day if I have some protein in the morning, even homemade muffins with walnuts and an extra egg in the mix help.
The simplest test for dehydration is the color of your urine; it should be no darker than apple juice. But drinking some water is a good idea, anyway.
An MD has assured me that sugar contributes to inflammation, so since it's already problematic, no harm in reducing sugar in your diet.
Occasional use of ibuprofen seems pretty healthy, acetaminophen a bit less so, but occasional appears safe. If you need pain killers regularly, I'd look at solving the underlying problem. A short walk outdoors can be surprisingly reviving, but when I'm tired, my motivation tanks.
posted by theora55 at 4:37 PM on August 25, 2022
Best answer: They aren't really at odds.
Generalizing & simplifying wildly, ibuprofen acts in a targeted fashion, shutting down two enzymes that control aspects of the inflammatory response. "Inflammatory foods" (to the extent that this is a useful phrase) are doing a bunch of stuff "upstream" of that. The enzymes are still shut down.
Metaphorically, it's not like they are both fiddling with the same thermostat. It's more like sugar sets the thermostat up and ibuprofen unplugs the furnace.
posted by mark k at 6:42 PM on August 26, 2022 [1 favorite]
Generalizing & simplifying wildly, ibuprofen acts in a targeted fashion, shutting down two enzymes that control aspects of the inflammatory response. "Inflammatory foods" (to the extent that this is a useful phrase) are doing a bunch of stuff "upstream" of that. The enzymes are still shut down.
Metaphorically, it's not like they are both fiddling with the same thermostat. It's more like sugar sets the thermostat up and ibuprofen unplugs the furnace.
posted by mark k at 6:42 PM on August 26, 2022 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thanks all for those helpful replies.
posted by circular at 7:53 PM on August 30, 2022
posted by circular at 7:53 PM on August 30, 2022
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posted by circular at 1:49 PM on August 25, 2022