Stanford Study Shows Ibuprofen Doubles Risk of Kidney Injury

According to a study by researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine and several other institutions, people who take ibuprofen while running very long distances double their risk of acute kidney injury. The Stanford study, published earlier this month, has received quite a bit of attention. However, it's really not 'new' news. The topic of ibuprofen and kidney injury has been circulating for quite awhile in ultra-endurance circles and elsewhere.

I've trained thousands of miles for ultra-endurance endeavors, and have run solo across states and countries. There have been countless times when my muscles and joints were sore and aching, but I opted not to lean on ibuprofen or other painkillers. I aimed for relief through self massage, stretching, hydration, electrolyte replacement, and applying ice/heat as needed. Rather than mask the pain or seek temporary relief through a drug, I preferred to manage the pain with a hands-on approach. Based on Stanford's recent study, it appears that I made a wise choice!

Apparently, as many as 75 percent of ultramarathoners use the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) ibuprofen. In recent years, ultramarathon races have increased in popularity with the number of races worldwide reaching about 1,400 with over 70,000 runners finishing these races every year, the study said.

It needs to be kept in mind that this study’s conclusions are for endurance athletes.

Acute kidney injury is common in ultra-runners due to the high rates of dehydration that cause reduced blood flow and rhabdomyolsis — a breakdown of muscle tissue that leads to the release of muscle fiber contents into the blood, which is harmful to the kidney and often causes kidney damage. In fact, acute kidney injury has been recorded in 34 to 85 percent of all ultramarathoners, the study said. The study shows that adding ibuprofen into this mix further increases the danger of kidney damage.

From Him, Through Him, For Him (Romans 11:36),

Paul J. Staso

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Visit my YouTube channel -- https://www.youtube.com/user/pacetrek

Click on any of the links below to see some of my adventure photos:

• United States in 2006 (3,260 miles solo in 108 days at age 41)
• Montana in 2008 (620 miles solo in 20 days at age 43)
• Alaska in 2009 (500 miles solo in 18 days at age 44)
• Germany in 2010 (500 miles solo in 21 days at age 45)
• The Mojave Desert in 2011 (506 miles solo in 17 days at age 46)
• Various Photos From Mileposts Gone By
• Students Worldwide Who Ran With Me Virtually
• Roadside Sights From My Running Adventures
• Some Cycling Moments From The Past