Essential Fatty Acids Archives

Do NSAIDS negate anti-inflammatory effects of flax oil?

For the past year and a half I’ve been taking flax oil (originally 2 tablespoons, eventually reduced to 1 tbsp) for some painful skin conditions which I believe have an inflammatory component. It helped, but not enough plus I have other aches n’ pains so I went on Relafen (NSAID) six months ago. I noticed a big improvement with the NSAID added so going off is *not* an option. I’m wondering if I’m throwing away my money on the flax oil, since don’t NSAIDs impair the conversion of fatty acids into all the prostaglandins? Just how complete is this impairment? I’m also wondering if maybe fish oil would be better, since it’s further down the metabolic pathway – would it make a difference?

Follow Ups:

• Re: Do NSAIDS negate anti-inflammatory effects of flax oil? (Archive in EFAs.) Walt Stoll 10:51:36 5/09/02 (0)
• Re: Do NSAIDS negate anti-inflammatory effects of flax oil? Barb 18:43:24 5/08/02 (0)

In Reply to: Do NSAIDS negate anti-inflammatory effects of flax oil? posted by Beliala on May 08, 2002 at 17:03:53:

NSAIDS are bad for LGS.....or can promote it.....

In Reply to: Do NSAIDS negate anti-inflammatory effects of flax oil? posted by Beliala on May 08, 2002 at 17:03:53:

Hi, Beliala.

Listen to Barb.

The one thing you can be sure of is that the NSAIDS are only giving temporary relief and will continue to add to the problem as time goes on whereas any relief from the EFAs cause NO long term problems and actually are helping your metabolism heal itself.

There IS an antagonism between the diffeerent processes. You would have to research the modes of action of each and compare them to know how that antagonism works. Let us know what you learn.

If you do not mind the fishy after-taste, I prefer it to the flax.

Remember that the EFAs are only a part of the process you need to correct. Wellness would be the easiest way to get through this. Let Mother Nature figure it out while she is resolving the problems before they get much worse.

Hope this helps.

Walt