INFLACAIN®, the Natural Answer to the Vioxx®, Debacle

The Withdrawal of Vioxx®
Vioxx® (rofecoxib) was supposed to supply a need to the millions of people suffering from pain associated with inflammation. But, unfortunately, for the people taking it and for Merck and Co., Vioxx® fell flat on its face. Instead of just decreasing inflammation, it had the added effect of giving people heart attacks and strokes. So, they pulled it from the market and the lawsuits commenced. But people are still suffering from pain and inflammation, perhaps more now than ever before.

We live in a society of "-itis's": osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, tendonitis, bursitis, colitis, dermatitis, etc. These should not be thought of as diagnoses but rather symptoms telling us that we are inflamed and on fire. When functioning appropriately, inflammation is a normal and important body mechanism. Inflammation is necessary to remove damaged cells, eliminate toxins, fight invading microorganisms, and begin the repair process. Unfortunately, our modern lifestyle often causes the inflammatory process to create a raging fire in our bodies. Instead of being an effective and controlled process, many experience the inflammatory response as an unrestrained inferno, misdirected in the body resulting in chronic swelling and pain. If allowed to further continue uninhibited, progressive damage may ensue causing permanent injuries to the essential tissues and vital organs of our bodies. This contributes to the development of chronic degenerative diseases (such as arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, cancer, heart disease) and autoimmune diseases (such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosis).

Typical signs and symptoms of inflammatory dysfunction:

• Chronic red eyes and runny nose
• Dry skin
• Environmental allergies
• Fluid retention
• Food allergies
• Pain and stiffness in the morning
• Swollen and painful joints
• Unexplained abdominal pain
• Rashes and/or itchy skin
• Decrease in functional activity and vitality

For the inflammatory response to function appropriately there needs to be a balance between the strength of the inflammatory response and the anti-inflammatory response. A diet high in arachidonic acid (land-animal fats, dairy products), high in refined processed carbohydrates (bagels, crackers, chips, cookies) and low in essential fatty acids (fish oils, flax seed oil, evening primrose oil, raw nuts and seeds) revs up the pro-inflammatory pathways. Subsequently, the essential fatty acids found in vegetable and fish oils that support the anti-inflammatory pathways are deficient. Other nutrients that are also often deficient in the Standard American Diet are antioxidants (Vitamins A, C, E, selenium, alpha-lipoic acid, etc.), which inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory agents and help extinguish the inflammatory process.

With all the inflammatory insults we are subjected to every day, we need some extra protection to minimize the long term negative effects inflammation can have on the body. Vioxx was a synthetic COX-2 (cyclooxygenase-2) inhibitor and like many of the other pharmaceutical COX-2 inhibitors (such as, Celebrex® (celecoxib), Bextra (valdecoxib), and even NSAIDS like aspirin), they come with a list of potential adverse side effects. Furthermore, these medications only address one of the two major pathways of inflammation in the body, namely, COX (cyclooxygenase) and LOX (lipoxygenase). Fortunately, Inflacain® is formulated with a combination of natural ingredients that control and inhibit both COX and LOX inflammatory pathways.

To normalize the inflammatory response:

• Eat less animal fat
• Eat more fish, nuts, and seeds
• Eat a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables

  Supplement with the following:

• Inflacain (natural COX-2 and 5-LOX inhibitor)
• Broad-spectrum antioxidant formula
• Broad-spectrum proteolytic enzyme formula
• Essential fatty acids (omega-3)
• For joint pain and inflammation consider glucosamine, MSM, N-acetylcysteine, niacin, zinc, copper, and manganese