What makes us different? Read our Declaration of Journalistic Independence Home | About Natural News | Contact Us | Write for Natural News
caffeine

Taking Common Painkiller (acetaminophen) with Coffee is Extremely Toxic to the Liver

Monday, April 21, 2008 by: David Gutierrez | Key concepts: caffeine, coffee and bacteria

Want stories like this e-mailed to you? Click here for free email alerts

Email this article to a friend Printable Version

Personal Health Solutions from NaturalNews

Replace your toxic laundry detergent with natural laundry soap that grows on trees! (Popular solution!)
This top "underground" natural health newsletter brings you amazing new natural cures each month. Save $100!
How to treat and cure over 100 health conditions using little-known health secrets
How to halt type-2 diabetes with nutritional therapy - over 50% cure rate proven in studies
End cravings with this guide to natural appetite suppressants (Download edition available.)
How to blend nutritious meals in minutes with Adams' Superfood smoothie recipes (Delicious!)
Breakthrough LED lighting technology prevents global warming, saves 90% on your lighting bill

Browse more health books...
Shop our eco-friendly products...

All sales help fund NaturalNews operations.
(NaturalNews) Combining caffeine with the active ingredient in Tylenol (acetaminophen) may be extremely dangerous for the liver, according to new research conducted at the University of Washington and reported in the journal Chemical Research in Toxicology.

Researchers performed the study on E. coli bacteria that had been genetically modified to produce a human liver enzyme that breaks down the pain killing chemical paracetamol, also known as acetaminophen. A toxic byproduct of this enzyme's activity is what leads to liver damage in cases of paracetamol overdose.

When the scientists expose the bacteria to a large combined dose of caffeine and paracetamol, production of the toxic byproduct tripled. According to researchers, this translates to three times the risk of permanent liver damage.

According to British health expert Dr. Simon Thomas of the University of Newcastle, paracetamol is the culprit in 40 percents of drug overdoses in the United Kingdom, leading to 100 deaths or liver transplants yearly. But Thomas said that it would be hasty to draw too many conclusions about the human liver from a study conducted on bacteria.

"There are a million miles between E. coli and humans in terms of how paracetamol and caffeine are metabolized," he said.

Prior studies have shown that caffeine exacerbates paracetamol-induced liver damage in rats, and that mixing alcohol with the painkiller intensifies its effects on the liver. However, this is the first study to provide evidence that a mix of paracetamol and caffeine may be dangerous.

But the researchers noted that the doses they used in the study were enormous, and that there is as yet no evidence what dose would be required to be dangerous to humans. Because of this uncertainty, however, they advised caution in mixing the two drugs.

"The bottom line is that you don't have to stop taking acetaminophen or stop taking caffeine products, but you do need to monitor your intake more carefully when taking them together, especially if you drink alcohol," said researcher Sid Nelson.

###

Related Articles

The hidden dangers of caffeine: How coffee causes exhaustion, fatigue and addiction

Child-centered marketing causing kids to carry unhealthy food habits into adulthood

Sodas and energy drinks can supply a surprising caffeine jolt (press release)

Decaffeinated coffee still contains caffeine, researchers report

The unauthorized history of Coca-Cola (satire)

Popular Topics:

caffeine, coffee, bacteria, Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, Breast cancer, Prostate cancer, Heart disease, Depression, High cholesterol, Osteoporosis, Vaccines, Autism, ADHD, Infertility, Weight loss, Cancer, Alzheimer's, Trans fats, Acrylamides, Fluoride, Mercury

Take Action: Support NaturalNews.com

Email this article to a friend

Share this article on: NewsVine | digg | del.icio.us

Permalink to this article: http://www.NaturalNews.com/023073.html

Reprinting this article: Non-commercial OK, cite NaturalNews.com with clickable link.

Receive our Natural Health Newsletter for FREE

Subscribe now (it's free!) to win. We randomly choose a subscriber each month to send $100 in eco-home products or a RealGoods.com gift certificate (our choice). Plus, you'll receive FREE news, articles and action alerts from NaturalNews.com editors and join over 800,000 monthly readers who report extraordinary health improvements after becoming a subscriber!
  • Receive breaking news alerts on natural health solutions, renewable energy, the environment, global warming and more.
  • Receive a free instant download of our $29 Secret Sources guide that reveals top sources for little-known health and diet solutions.
Your Email Address:
Free Subscription Code:
Enter the numbers you see:
100% free of charge. Unsubscribe anytime.
Absolutely no spam. We respect your email privacy.

Recommended Special Report:

Seven Words that can Change the World
by Joseph R. Simonetta

Read this special report now...

"Seven Words That Can Change the World reveals the astonishing, simple truths that have the power to forever transform our world for the better while freeing our minds from the enslavement of limiting beliefs. This is not a text for the simple-minded; it is a guiding philosophy for the mindful, intelligent few who are wise enough to seek out -- and recognize -- the higher simplicities of truly purposeful living." - Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, editor of NaturalNews.com

More on NaturalNews.com:

Streaming Health Ranger Videos
CounterThink Cartoons
FREE Special Reports
Podcasts

Also Posted Today

Water Shortage Concerns: City Contemplates Going From Toilet to Tap

Mysterious Swarm of Earthquakes Detected Off Oregon Coast

Chemicals in Plastic Shown to Cause Reproductive and Neurological Disorders

Big Pharma: The Greed That Is Killing Innocent People

Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps Sues Estee Lauder and Others Over "Organic Cheater" Labeling

Beat Disease With Juice Feasting!

NEW 6-CD audio set reveals amazing new protocol for reversing cancer, diabetes, obesity, heart disease and more. Click to learn more.

Own Health Ranger Report Podcasts on Audio CD

Own the first 8 Health Ranger Report audio programs on 6 CDs. Covers weight loss, ADHD, vaccinations, processed meats, bone health and more. Click to learn more.

Featured Videos

Short clip on Aspartame
A short clip on aspartame from the documentary All Jacked Up.
Click here to view now...

Exclusive video on Aspartame
The dangers of aspartame! Exclusive interview footage from Cori Brackett of Sweet Remedy.
Click here to view now...

Exclusive Footage from All Jacked Up!
See interview footage featuring the Health Ranger in the upcoming junk food film, All Jacked Up.
Click here to view now...

Drug Ad Parody
See the Health Ranger's satire parody of Merck's cholesterol drug ad.
Click here to view now...

Free Health Reports!

Amazon Herb Company review
The pH Nutrition Guide to Acid / Alkaline Balance
Pet Food Ingredients Revealed! (shocking)
Medicine From Fish
The Water Cure
The Healing Power of Sunlight and Vitamin D

Featured CounterThink Cartoons

Meet the Hospital Staph


The Corn Ethanol Biofuels Sham


The Plan for the Food Supply


Health Product Companies We Recommend

Read recommendations on supplement companies, health food manufacturers and personal care product makers that you can trust. Our 100% independent review list tells you who to trust and who to avoid in the natural health industry. Click to read.
This site is part of the Natural News Network © 2008 All Rights Reserved. Privacy | Terms All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. Truth Publishing International, LTD. is not responsible for content written by contributing authors. Truth Publishing sells no health or nutritional products and earns no money from health product manufacturers or promoters. The information on this site is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice of any kind. Truth Publishing assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. Your use of this website indicates your agreement to these terms and those published here. All trademarks, registered trademarks and servicemarks mentioned on this site are the property of their respective owners.