Taking supplements and medications can be a great way to keep your health in order. Whether you’re experiencing a nutrient deficiency that calls for vitamins, you’re taking a natural remedy to help you sleep better at night, or you’re looking to boost your metabolism, there are a variety of supplements to treat many different health concerns.
However, it’s important to take measures to ensure your safety while consuming supplements and drugs. As it turns out, not only can some be simply ineffective at living up to their promises, but they can also lead to dangerous side effects. In fact, there’s one type of supplement that experts warn could take a serious toll on your kidneys if you’re not careful: NSAIDs, a.k.a. non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
To learn more about the risks associated with these drugs, we spoke to health experts Dr. Shara Cohen, founder of Cancer Care Parcel, and Dr. Michael May, Medical Director at Wimpoleclinic.com. Find all of their expert insight and advice below.
NSAIDs and kidney damage
Dr. Cohen acknowledges that although your body requires an ample amount of nutrients, “some nutrients are toxic to the kidneys if utilized improperly.” In fact, many can lead to a range of other issues as well, including heart damage, which means that it’s always important to ensure you’re safely consuming supplements. “Some high doses of NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen can cause acute renal impairment,” (a.k.a. kidney damage), she warns.
Dr. May echoes this sentiment: “NSAIDS (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) can harm your kidneys, especially if you’re taking diuretics, ACE inhibitors, or angiotensin II blockers,” he says. This is largely due to the fact that these drugs can lead to high blood pressure.
“NSAIDs can cause sodium and fluid retention, which could increase blood pressure,” Dr. May explains. “They can also decrease the blood flow to the kidney because NSAIDs block prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are natural chemicals that dilate the blood vessels and allow oxygen to reach the kidney.” Yikes!
Some of the most common NSAIDs that you should be wary of include aspirin, Celecoxib, Diclofenac, and ibuprofen.
The bottom line
Does all of this mean that you should avoid NSAIDs altogether? Not necessarily. All in all, Dr. Cohen assures us that “It is safe if you take your medication as prescribed, drink enough water, and pay attention to any adverse effects.” However, she emphasizes the importance of speaking to a doctor before you add a new supplement to your regimen or take drugs that could interact with supplements, especially if you are concerned about your kidney. “If you have renal disease or if you feel the risks exceed the benefits, you should not use these supplements,” she concludes. Noted!