Your Anti-Inflammatory Meds Are Secretly Hurting You
[[David Nieman]], a professor at [[Appalachian State University]] who studied ultrarunners at the [[Western States 100]], cautions that widespread pre‑ or midrace use of [[NSAIDs]] like [[ibuprofen]] often does not reduce muscle damage but is linked to more endotoxemia, systemic inflammation, and kidney dysfunction; race conditions such as heat and dehydration likely amplify harm. Event organizers including the [[UTMB World Series]] have grappled with rules in step with [[WADA]], and experts like Daniel Fitzpatrick and Renee McGregor advise avoiding habitual pre‑race use while acknowledging occasional, judicious use may be appropriate. Nieman recommends nonpharmacologic strategies and anti‑inflammatory foods—most notably, daily [[blueberries]] for weeks before an event—alongside safer choices like acetaminophen, proper fueling, caffeine, and mental techniques to manage pain. Multiple studies report 30–80 percent of ultrarunners use [[NSAIDs]], and although clinical evidence is mixed, researchers call for higher‑quality trials to clarify long‑term risks.