The other day a FB friend was mentioning body aches from a cold and I remembered someone telling me how Alka seltzer worked great for that because it was a buffering agent. So being curious (to a fault) I had to know more. According to Answers.com the muscle aches are caused by dehydration as a result of fever and subsequent electrolyte imbalance especially loss of potassium. This also accounts for the feeling of exhaustion. Hence the advice when suffering from a cold or the flu to "drink plenty of fluids."
Alka seltzer contains a combination of aspirin, citric acid, and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). The aspirin works to relieve headaches and muscle pain. The last two ingredients, citric acid and sodium bicarbonate, are simply a mixture of a weak acid and a weak base; the result is a buffer solution, which works to stabilize the pH and increases absorption of the aspirin, as well as working as an antacid to buffer the stomach acid.
Sounds like a good solution for acute pain from a viral invasion. But what about chronic or recurring pain ? Aspirin, or other NSAID's (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) can cause gastric irritation or even kidney or liver dysfunction if used long term. And if used for joint inflammation or osteoarthritis they can actually accelerate the destruction of joints and cartilage. As an herbal alternative we've found that Joint Health by Nature's Sunshine works wonders and most folks feel relief within 30 min. or less after taking it.
