The Other Problem with Tylenol

The current Trump administration just came out with a ‘bombshell’ (that’s what people say to get attention in the media) report. The government linked taking Tylenol during pregnancy to the autism epidemic we are witnessing.

I’m guessing you have heard about that.

If their findings are true I hope it spreads awareness. Anything we can do to reduce autism is a good thing.

And as long as Tylenol is in a trending topic, I wanted to jump on the bandwagon and bring up a few other issues with the drug.

Tylenol is one of the best-selling, over-the-counter medications ever. They estimate sales of about $1 billion annually just in the US for the manufacturer of Tylenol, Kenvue.

I see many of our assisted living residents move in with Tylenol listed as one of their medications.

How exactly does Tylenol work? I did some research for this article and was surprised to find out many sources say the exact mechanism of action is still unknown.

What I could find is that Tylenol inhibits prostaglandins which are hormone-like substances that regulate certain bodily functions, including inflammation and pain.

Yes that means it dulls the pain, but at what cost? Personally I don’t like the sound of something that inhibits my normal bodily functions. Maybe once or twice. Not on a long-term basis like many doctors prescribe.

The liver metabolizes Tylenol which leads to a reduction in the production of glutathione. Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant which protects cells from oxidative stress. It also helps detoxify your body.

Oxidative stress is one of the largest root causes of many chronic diseases that affect people around the world - especially elderly people who consume a lot of Tylenol.

One of the first tests we do with assisted living residents, in conjunction with our clinical experts at A Mind for All Seasons (AMFAS), is our resident’s glutathione level. As you can see from one of the AMFAS reports below, a glutathione level of over 300 is important to help prevent brain fog and boost energy levels. Many people who come to our homes with dementia have significantly less glutathione - and they are taking lots of Tylenol.

When it is low, we try to increase the level. Tylenol doesn’t help us do that. In many cases it goes in the opposite direction.

In addition, Tylenol also produces the toxic substance N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI) as a result of being metabolized in the liver. If you take a small dose of Tylenol, this generally is not a problem. However, larger doses of Tylenol can create a lot more NAPQI which can overwhelm the detox pathways in your liver.

Your liver plays the largest role in detoxing your body. The NAPQI can bind to proteins in your liver and damage mitochondria in liver cells. That can lead to necrosis and liver failure.

I’m not saying you should necessarily give up Tylenol entirely (and I would never give medical advice of course). Instead maybe the saying ‘play through the pain’ could become more relevant for your general health. Don’t automatically reach for the Tylenol if something flares up. Try to find a more natural solution first.