Is Ibuprofen Killing Your Gains??

In a 2018 research study, exercise science researchers had all participants perform the same amount of weighted knee extensions under close supervision for 8 weeks, and measured the volume of each participant’s quadriceps at the beginning and end of the study. However, half of the participants were randomly selected to take 1200 mg of ibuprofen per day during that time, while the other half received placebos (pills with nothing in them).

After the 8 weeks, the participants who had been taking ibuprofen were found to have achieved only HALF the muscular hypertrophy (growth) that the group who hadn’t been taking it achieved! (3.7% vs 7.5% size increase). The non-ibuprofen group also achieved greater strength increases than the ibuprofen group, although the difference wasn’t quite as significant.

It’s believed that this phemonemon is caused by a downregulation of a molecule in the body called IL-6, which is a cytokine (signalling molecule) that, along with many other things, is involved in skeletal muscle growth activity (see pic below). Which would mean all COX-inhibitors (ibuprofen and acetomiacetaminophen) would have this same dampening effect on muscle growth!

Luckily though, other studies have shown that only occasionally taking a modest dose of ibuprofen does NOT impede muscle growth.

APPLICATION: If you’re trying to build muscle (or increase strength), be aware that taking high doses of ibuprofen or other COX-inhibiting painkillers on a daily (or close to daily) basis can kill your gains!!

Relevant Research Article(s):     
      1) High doses of anti-inflammatory drugs compromise muscle strength and hypertrophic adaptations to resistance training in young adults
      2) The use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for exercise-induced muscle damage: implications for skeletal muscle development

Related Dr. Gains YouTube Video(s):   
      1) 6 Reasons Why WEIGHT Training is BETTER Than CARDIO For Long-Term Weight / Fat Loss (25+ Studies) 🔥