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Aspirin

December 7, 2010 by · Comments Off on Aspirin 

Aspirin, In the early 1800s, chemists have discovered the substance salicin in white willow bark. The handling of this natural compound led to the creation of aspirin, a trademark of the German company Bayer in 1899. For over a century, aspirin was a treatment of choice for arthritis pain, headache and fever. Today, many doctors recommend medication be taken on a daily basis to prevent a heart attack, the number one killer in the world. Aspirin is even touted by some as the most successful drugs in history.

The use of aspirin to prevent heart attacks is based on the drug’s ability to inhibit the formation of blood clots – thrombosis or – in the body. The saying, “Aspirin thins the blood” is not strictly true: aspirin effectively inhibits the formation of blood clots by preventing the elements called platelets from sticking together, the process that initiates the development of clots.

The widespread use of aspirin in preventing heart attacks is based on the results of several studies of a widely publicized medical research. However, a number of respected scientists have questioned the conclusions drawn from these studies, but their views have not received the same publicity.

Although prophylactic aspirin may reduce the risk of a person at high risk having a heart attack for the first time, there is absolutely no evidence it will reduce the risk of a heart attack in people low risk or those who do not have circulatory problems. In fact, the risks outweigh the benefits of the latter group. There is also no improvement in mortality rates among those taking aspirin, and there seems to be no justification for aspirin in relatively good health by taking individual “in case”.

After a first heart attack, studies show aspirin is useful for a limited period of time to prevent a second attack. The first tablet of aspirin should be taken as soon as possible after a heart attack. Then, in consultation with your doctor, switch to low-dose enteric coated aspirin tablets (81 mg baby aspirin). Discuss stopping aspirin after four to eight weeks if no further attacks threaten.

But most of these research studies used buffered aspirin to reduce the side effects of aspirin. Buffered aspirin contains a significant amount of magnesium minerals, a natural substance that contains its own powerful protective properties. Perhaps, magnesium is what has some advantages.

Most heart attack victims at autopsy are considered deficient in magnesium. Although appropriate studies on magnesium supplements for 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, a good deal for taking magnesium supplements. I recommend magnesium aspartate capsules, from 200 to 600 mg per day. The introduction of conventional medicine has already accepted the use of magnesium in the treatment of hypertension, heart attacks and heart failure.

Although it may seem a complex issue, I hope that readers realize now that they are safer alternatives to aspirin they can use to protect and maintain a healthy heart. For the inevitable questions that arise from my medical colleagues, I refer them to an excellent review article published in the Journal of Scientific Exploration, Vol 14, and No. 4.

A powerful antioxidant at doses as low as 100 to 250 IU per day has shown impressive results in preventing a first heart attack, with minimal side effects if not to be mentioned. Vitamin E at a higher dose of 400 IU per day is also effective in protecting people with a heart attack after an attack by repetition.

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