http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20101207/news/news5.html
Aspirin a day? Published: Tuesday | December 7, 2010 1 Comment and 0 Reactions Aspirin is the common name for the chemical compound acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). In the early 1800s, chemists discovered the substance salicin in the bark of the white willow tree. Manipulation of this natural compound led to the creation of aspirin, trademarked by the German company, Bayer, in 1899. For over a century, aspirin had been a preferred treatment for arthritis pain, headaches and fever. Today, many doctors recommend the drug be taken on a daily basis for the prevention of heart attack, the number-one killer in the world. Aspirin is even touted by some to be the most successful drug in history. ASPIRIN FOR HEART ATTACKS The use of aspirin to prevent heart attacks is based on the drug's ability to inhibit the formation of blood clots - or thromboses - in the body. The common saying, "Aspirin thins the blood", is not strictly true: aspirin actually inhibits clot formation by preventing blood elements called platelets from sticking together, the process that initiates clot development. The widespread use of aspirin for the prevention of heart attacks is based on the results of several widely publicised medical research studies. However, a number of respected scientists have questioned the conclusions drawn from those studies, but their views have not received equal publicity. ASPIRIN FACTS Although prophylactic aspirin may reduce the chance of a high-risk individual getting a heart attack for the first time, there is absolutely no evidence it will reduce the risk of a heart attack in low-risk individuals or those without circulatory problems. In fact, the risks outweigh the benefits in the latter group. There is also no improvement in death rates in the people who take aspirin, and there seems to be no justification for a relatively healthy individual taking aspirin "just in case". After a first heart attack, studies show aspirin is useful for a limited period of time in preventing a second attack. The first aspirin tablet should be taken as soon as possible after a heart attack. Then, in consultation with your doctor, switch to low dosage enteric, coated aspirin tablets (81 mg baby aspirin). Discuss stopping aspirin therapy after four to eight weeks if no further attacks threaten. But, most of these research studies used buffered aspirin in order to reduce the side effects of aspirin. Buffered aspirin contains a significant amount of the mineral magnesium, a natural substance that contains its own powerful protective properties. Perhaps, the magnesium is what is providing some of the benefits. SAFER ALTERNATIVES The most important protection against heart attacks is a healthy lifestyle: excellent cellular nutrition, weight control, exercise, avoidance of cigarette smoke, stress management and adequate rest. These are all vital. OMEGA 3 FATS: Omega-3 fatty acids also helps keep blood platelets from becoming sticky and clumping together to form blood clots. They do what aspirin does without the side effects of aspirin and with many, many other health benefits. Researchers found that men who have had a heart attack had a 29 per cent less chance of having a second heart attack when they ate a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids. In 2003, the American Heart Association recommended that people with heart disease take approximately 1 gram of omega 3 fats each day. I suggest an even higher dosage of 3 gram daily. VITAMIN E: a powerful antioxidant at dosages as low as 100 to 250 IU daily has demonstrated impressive results in preventing a first heart attack, with side effects so minimal as not to be mentioned. Vitamin E at a higher dosage of 400 IU daily was also effective in protecting heart attack sufferers from a repeat attack. MAGNESIUM: Most heart attack victims at post-mortem are found to be magnesium deficient. Although adequate studies on magnesium supplements for the primary prevention of heart attacks are not available, the experience of many clinicians as well as studies on the magnesium content of drinking water and heart disease, makes a good case for taking magnesium supplements. I recommend magnesium aspartate capsules, 200 to 600 mg daily. The conventional medical establishment has already accepted the use of magnesium in treating high blood pressure, heart attacks and heart failure. Although this may seem a complex issue, I hope readers now realise that they are safer alternatives to aspirin that they can use to protect and maintain a healthy heart. For the inevitable questions that will arise from my medical colleagues, I would refer them to an excellent review article published in the Journal of Scientific Exploration, Vol 14, No. 4. You may email Dr Vendryes at [email protected], or listen to An Ounce of Prevention on POWER 106FM on Fridays at 8 p.m. The programme streams live on the Internet. ASPIRIN DANGERS Aspirin has serious side effects like gastritis, peptic ulcer, intestinal bleeding, haemorrhagic shock, and sudden death. Aspirin can also affect your eyes, increasing the risk of macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness. There is even a 500 per cent increase in the risk of cataracts in individuals below age 55, taking aspirin long term. Aspirin is not a nutritional supplement - it is a medication with real risks and side-effects. Thus, it should not be taken without an in-depth risk assessment by your physician. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Post message: [email protected] Subscribe : [email protected] Unsubscribe : [email protected] List owner : [email protected] Homepage : http://proletar.8m.com/Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/proletar/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/proletar/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: [email protected] [email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
