Why Complementary Medicine is better than Ibuprofen or Paracetamol in the prevention, and treatment of respiratory infections (common cold and Flu)
Most people at one time or another will catch a common cold
or flu. Many different types of viruses cause these infections and it is these
viruses that infect the nose, throat and upper respiratory tract causing pain,
congestion and fever.
Common sense tells us that keeping warm and avoiding sudden
temperature changes, such as, leaving a warm home or office for the cold
outdoors will reduce the chances of catching a cold or flu. Always don warm
clothing when moving from a warm to a cold environment as these sudden changes
in temperature lower resistance to infection without adequate protection.
Unfortunately many people just continue doing work and play
without rest and use analgesics and other cold formula to just “push on
through”. Although these may ease the aches and pains associated with
respiratory infections they don’t reduce your spreading the cold to others and
in fact may worsen the symptoms and increase time needed till recovery.
Although in some cases we just may need something to get through an important
event taking analgesics may help, but prevention and a reduction of the
duration and symptoms of a respiratory infection is the best way and
complementary medicine may just have the answer.
There are many herbs, vitamins and minerals that have a
positive effect in reducing the incidence, duration and symptoms of respiratory
infection and following is factual information on the most commonly used.
The evidence
Paracetamol and
Ibuprofen
Paracetamol and or Ibuprofen could prolong the symptoms of
respiratory infections
A study found patients were more likely to come back within
a month with worsening symptoms or new symptoms if they were prescribed
ibuprofen or ibuprofen with paracetamol for the symptoms of the common cold.
Between 50 per cent and 70 per cent of participants in this study who were
prescribed ibuprofen or ibuprofen with paracetamol had elongation and worsening
of the symptoms that required returning to their doctor.(1)
Vitamin D3
Low vitamin D status is associated with higher rate of
respiratory infections
A large study of 18,883 people reported strong association
between low blood levels of vitamin D (25OHVitD)and increased respiratory
infections. Those with the lowest blood vitamin D levels reported having
significantly more recent colds or flu and the risks were even higher for those
with chronic respiratory disorders, including asthma and COPD. Those with low
vitamin D levels were
nearly 40 per cent more likely to have had a respiratory
infection than those with adequate vitamin D levels (2).
Other findings support the concept of vitamin D possessing
important pleiotropic actions outside of calcium homeostasis and bone
metabolism. In children, an association of nutritional rickets with respiratory
compromise has long been recognized. Epidemiologic studies clearly demonstrate
the link between vitamin D deficiency and the increased incidence of
respiratory infections (3)
Vitamin D3
supplements found to reduce the incidence of influenza in School children
A recent randomised double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
among School Children in Japan was conducted. The Children were randomly
divided into two groups: One group received daily supplements of 1200iu daily
of vitamin D3, while the other group received a placebo. The children were then
assessed for the incidence of influenza over the 2008 to 2009 winter period.
The study found that the incidence of influenza was 10.8 per
cent in the vitamin D3 supplemented group, compared with 18.6 per cent in the
placebo group; this reduction was even greater for those who had low vitamin D
(25OHVitD), with a 74 per cent reduction in the incidence of influenza.
Also, asthma attacks were significantly reduced in asthmatic
children in the vitamin D3 supplemented group(4)
Vitamin C
Vitamin C reduces the symptoms and duration of respiratory
infections (common cold)
Correct nutrition is also a necessity, we should always
endeavour to include plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables in the daily diet as
these are a good source of vitamin C.
Studies and clinical trials have shown that supplementing
with vitamin C and vitamin E can help strengthen the immune system reducing the
incidence and symptoms of colds and flu (5)
Vitamin C supplementation can start with bottle fed babies.
Blackcurrant and rose hip formulas high in vitamin C are readily available.
These fruit juice formulas should be included in baby’s daily feeding routine.
Children over two years of age can either have a crushed Children's Chewable
Vitamin C tablet added to their food or chew one tablet twice daily and adults
should take between 1,000 mg and 2,000mg daily. In six trials with participants
exposed to short periods of extreme physical or cold stress or both (including
marathon runners and skiers) vitamin C reduced the common cold risk by half.
(6)
In thirty-one comparisons studies that examined the effect
of regular vitamin C supplementation on
common cold duration (9745 episodes). In adults the duration of colds was
reduced by 8% (3% to 12%) and in children by 14% (7% to 21%). In children, 1 to
2 g/day vitamin C shortened colds by 18%. The severity of colds was also
reduced by regular vitamin C administration(7)
Echinacea
Echinacea found to reduce the incidence and the duration of respiratory infections
Echinacea is one of the most commonly used herbal products,
but controversy exists about its benefit in the prevention and treatment of the
common cold. A meta-analysis evaluating
the effect of echinacea on the incidence and duration of the common cold was
undertaken. The meta-analysis included
14 studies were where Incidence of the common cold was reported
The results found that Echinacea decreased the odds of
developing the common cold by 58% and the duration of a cold by 1·4 days . The
authors concluded that published evidence supports echinacea's benefit in
decreasing the incidence and duration of the common cold.(8)
Lactoferrin
Lactoferrin found to reduce the incidence of the common cold
Lactoferrin is a compound that is naturally produced in the
body by immune cells and it is particularly prevalent in secretions of the
upper airways, eyes and stomach. Bovine
lactoferrin supplementation has been shown to boost the activity of certain
immune cells. One study found that the total number of cold-associated symptoms
reported by participants that received a Lactoferrin/whey compound (Lf/IgF) was
significantly less than those in the placebo group. Also, total days sick with
a cold and cold severity were reduced over the clinical trial period for Lf/IgF
over placebo, but the trend was not significant(9)
Health Department
Warning
Call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 (Australia)
if a child, young person or adult has taken more paracetamol or ibuprofen than
is recommended.
Paracetamol in large doses can cause severe liver damage Also thousands of people attend Hospital Emergency Rooms in Australia each year with
suspected or known overdose.
Use in the elderly
Ibuprofen should not be taken by adults over the age of 65
without careful consideration of co-morbidities and co-medications because of
an increased risk of adverse effects, in particular heart failure,
gastro-intestinal ulceration and renal impairment.
Use in pregnancy
Category C: Ibuprofen inhibits prostaglandin synthesis and,
when given during the latter part of pregnancy, may cause closure of the foetal
ductus arteriosus, foetal renal impairment, inhibition of platelet aggregation
and may delay labour and birth. Use of ibuprofen is thus contraindicated during
the third trimester of pregnancy, including the last few days before expected
birth
The information given by Naturopath Russell
Setright in this article is for general educational purposes only and not for
the treatment of any disease or condition. Always see your Healthcare
Practitioner for any suspected disease accident or condition and follow there
expert advice.
References;
1.
P. Little, M. Moore, et al.
Ibuprofen, paracetamol, and steam for patients with respiratory tract
infections in primary care: pragmatic randomised factorial trial. BMJ, 2013;
347 (oct25 2)
2.
Adit A. Ginde, MD, MPH; Jonathan M. et
al. Association Between Serum
25-Hydroxyvitamin D Level and Upper Respiratory Tract Infection in the Third
National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Arch. Intern.
Med. 2009;169(4):384-390
3.
Walker VP, Modlin RL. The vitamin D connection to pediatric
infections and immune function. Pediatr Res. 2009 May;65(5 Pt 2):106R-113R.
4.
Urashima U, et al. “Randomized trial of
vitamin D supplementation to prevent seasonal influenza A in schoolchildren”
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, March 10, 2010.
5.
Hemila, H. “Vitamin C and the Common
Cold” Br. J. Nutrition” 67(1);316, January, 1992
6.
Hemilä H, et al. Vitamin C for
preventing and treating the common cold. Cochrane Database of Systematic
Reviews 2007
7.
Harri Hemilä1, et al. Vitamin C for
preventing and treating the common cold Editorial Group: Cochrane Acute
Respiratory Infections Group, Published Online: 31 JAN 2013
8.
Sachin A Shah PharmD a c, Stephen
Sander PharmD et al. Evaluation of echinacea for the prevention and treatment
of the common cold: a meta-analysis The Lancet Infectious Diseases, Volume 7,
Issue 7, Pages 473 - 480, July 2007
9. Luis Vitettaemail, Samantha Coulson et al, The
clinical efficacy of a bovine lactoferrin/whey protein Ig-rich fraction
(Lf/IgF) for the common cold: A double blind randomized study, Complementary
Therapies in Medicine Volume 21, Issue 3 , Pages 164-171, June 2013
