As the holiday season arrives, we dive into rich foods and festive treats, often becoming more sedentary. We may reach for painkillers like ibuprofen to ease back pain, headaches or sore muscles from seasonal activities. But did you know that combining high-sodium meals with painkillers can be risky? Too much salt, which is high in sodium, combined with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen is linked to heart disease and high blood pressure. This combination can also interfere with blood flow and kidney function. Together, they create a dangerous mix, especially for older adults.
So, how might this impact your health this holiday season? Let’s take a closer look.
High Sodium Winter Holiday Foods
So what festive foods tend to contain a high concentration of sodium, and what can you do to reduce your salt intake this winter?
- Christmas stuffing. Use herbs and spices for seasoning and opt for low-sodium chicken stock.
- Gravy is high in sodium with ingredients such as roasted meat juice as well as butter and flour. The healthiest kind of gravy is homemade – try this great, easy recipe, which uses balsamic vinegar and fresh vegetables instead, both of which are very low in sodium.
- Ham and other cold-cut meats. Keep your intake of processed meat to a minimum and remember to combine them with plenty of fibre and leafy greens.
- Salmon and prawn cocktails; the smoking process often adds high amounts of sodium. Instead, try lean meat like chicken instead.
How Sodium and NSAIDs Affect Your Health
NSAIDs block prostaglandins, compounds that regulate blood flow and kidney function. While they relieve pain, they can also cause blood vessels to constrict, increase water retention, and raise blood pressure. Adding a high-sodium diet into the mix amplifies these effects, increasing the risk of heart failure and kidney damage, particularly in older adults.
Safer Alternatives to Painkillers
Rather than relying on NSAIDs, consider alternatives to manage chronic pain, which also help reduce the risks of a high-sodium diet:
- Chiropractic Care and Physiotherapy: Personalised treatments can improve mobility and reduce pain.
- Topical Pain Relief: Gels or patches with ingredients like capsicum can target pain directly. You can find our bestselling capsicum cream in our Queens Road branch of Sundial Clinic, which combines delicious warming ginger with effective pain relief.
- Diet and Lifestyle: An anti-inflammatory diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fish oils can help ease pain.
- Acupuncture: This therapy is especially effective for conditions like arthritis and back pain. If you’d like to know more, read our blog about acupuncture here.
Enjoy the Holidays, but Mind the Risks
This holiday season, it’s easy to indulge in rich food and painkillers for relief—but combining high sodium with NSAIDs can lead to serious health risks. From increased blood pressure to potential kidney damage, this dangerous duo is especially risky for older adults. Instead of relying on painkillers, explore alternatives like chiropractic care, topical treatments, or dietary changes that support sustainable relief from chronic pain.
If you’d like to know more about sustainable, risk-free pain-relief, come and see us at Sundial Clinic. We’re always happy to help you.