Most of my patients who are in pain simply want relief. They would take any medication if they could tolerate it, and if they were assured the drug was safe. But what makes some medications so potent can also make them tough to stomach (sometimes quite literally), as well as potentially dangerous.

A recent example – the FDA convened a joint advisory committee a few weeks ago to investigate acute liver failure and overdoses related to Acetaminophen (the primary ingredient in Tylenol, as well as in prescription Vicodin and Percaset). More than 400 people die and about 42,000 are hospitalized each year because of Acetaminophen overdoses. Why? Some people ignore the label instructions, but it’s thought that many more do not realize they are combining Acetominophen-based drugs: they take Tylenol with Vicodin, for example, and rapidly exceed the maximum daily intake.

But no matter the dose, Acetaminophen is hard on the liver, and people in chronic pain would do well to consider some alternatives. Fortunately there are many natural products that can be used for pain and inflammation safely and effectively, with research to prove it. Here are some of my favorites:

Proteolytic enzymes: these enzymes are taken between meals and are anti-inflammatory and therefore pain-relieving. They can also enhance the effectiveness of antibiotics and other pain relievers.

Omega III fatty acids: the EPA fatty acids in Omega III, which come from fish oil, make the anti-inflammatory hormones in our body. Multiple studies have indicated fish oil’s distinct anti-inflammatory effect on rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions.

DL-Phenylalanine (DLPA): This form of a common immunoacid works by itself to lessen pain; it also enables narcotics to be used at a lower dose.

Curcumin: The active ingredient in turmeric, curcumin has a proven affect on inflammation and pain relief. It has also been used effectively in treating some forms of cancer.

Kaprex: this potent form of botanical medicine is largely an extract of hops. The extract (known as THIAA) has a direct effect on the prostaglandin E2, which is responsible for much of the inflammation in joints and other pain areas. Kaprex has been found to be at least as effective as pain relievers in cases of arthritis and other joint inflammations.