Book Review: BEYOND ASPIRIN

COX-2 inhibitors are to compounds, both synthetic and natural, that have the ability to inhibit an enzyme in the body referred to as cyclo-oxygenase-2 or COX-2. This enzyme is most likely present when there is a condition of inflammation in the body. COX-2 inflammation lies at the root of many diseases including cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and many forms of arthritis. Several pharmaceuticals (Celebrex, Vioxx and related compounds) were developed in the late 1990’s to attempt to address the problem of COX-2 inflammation. The book Beyond Aspirin is a look at some natural approaches to inflammatory disorders with a discussion of herbal COX-2 inhibitors which have the benefits of diminshed side effects, economy, and safety. The book is a comprehensive review and interpretation of already published research.

Inflammation and Aging Authors Paul Shulick and Thomas Newmark explain that the body loses the ability to quickly regenerate new tissue as we age and we also lose step in resisting and maintaining balance in the inflammation process. When inflammation persists too long, or heats up too much, then chemicals created in that state of chronic inflammation can trigger increased deterioration of, for example, joint tissue. One solution is to provide the aging body with strong tools for controlling the fires of inflammation and for promoting wound healing. Herbal COX-2 inhibitors are one such tool.

Reducing Inflammation The inhibition of inflammation is important in many different degenerative conditions. Researchers discovered that COX-2 is sixty times more prevalent in a cancerous pancreas than in one not exhibiting cancer. Researchers at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland showed a powerful relationship between COX-2 and cancer. Inflammation is also the key to understanding Alzheimer’s disease. Harvard researchers explained in 1998 that the brains of Alzheimer patients were found to contain proteins that are normally observed during acute inflammation. The use of a COX-2 inhibitor can reduce the toxicity of brain inflammation according to research from the University of Pittsburgh. Twenty long-term studies show that persons who take anti-inflammatory drugs on a long-term basis have a significantly reduced incidence of Alzheimer’s disease. Shulick and Newmark suggest that the right herbs can have similar beneficial effects.

Herbal Cox-2 Inhibitors Traditional herbalists have long recognized that people suffer inflammation. Highly specific herbs extracted in precise ways have long been used to modulate inflammation. The authors of Beyond Aspirin searched hundreds of herbal treatises, multiple databases including the USDA Phytochemical Database, and the University of Illinois Napralert Database to locate the most useful COX-2 inhibiting herbs. The book gives lengthy descriptions of these principal herbs which include Green Tea, Chinese Goldthread, barberry, Holy Basil, turmeric, Baikal Scullcap, Hu zhang, rosemary, ginger, oregano and more. The authors describe complementary substances which work along with herbal compunds such as Omega-3 supplements to inhibit COX-2 enzymes. Shulick and Newmark suggest that wholistic life-style changes can support any natural COX-2 inhibition therapies. They stress the importance of attitude and spirit when undertaking a healing process.

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