Have you ever wondered if over the counter pain medications like Tylenol, aspirin-free Anacin, Excedrin and various cold medicines could damage your organs? Well, listen to this study that was published in the Journal of American Medical Association (7/5/06, Vol. 296, No.1). 145 adults were given either a placebo or four grams of acetaminophen. The study was inpatient and diet controlled (meals were provided).
ALT is an abbreviation for alanine aminotransferase (there’ll be a quiz next week), which is what is released in the blood when liver cells are damaged. The ALT levels increased to almost 5 times normal in 19% of the subjects that were given the acetaminophen. No increases were detected in the placebo group.
Steven Sonmore, LAc is a licensed acupuncturist in Minneapolis, Minnesota with over 20 years experience of health care and pain management.