The Truth About Aspirin – Is it Bad for You?

In today’s world of quick solutions and easy answers, we’ve become accustomed to accepting whatever is presented to us as factual and 100% correct while forgetting to read the fine print. And who can blame anyone who does so? Getting rid of a headache or some other nuisance plaguing your health by  simply drinking a tiny pill is extremely tempting, but sometimes, exerting the extra effort and just finding out the real extent of what these supposed “wonder drugs” do to you can well be worth it. Ironically, all those presumed “effective” medications get most of the credit for improving your health when, in fact, it is your own basic awareness that might even help save your life.

Aspirins, and other similar pain killers, are also known as Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs, for short) which have traditionally been heralded not only as an effective way to relieve your pain, but are actually also good for your heart and cardiovascular system. The daily intake of aspirin in low doses, or aspirin therapy as it is more popularly called, supposedly helps avert the formation of blood clots that can obstruct the arteries and cause strokes and heart attacks. Aspirin has also been touted as crucial to reducing the incidence of colon and breast cancer. On the lighter side, the anti-inflammatory properties of aspirin have allowed it to take its place among beauty and anti-aging products which keep wrinkles, acne, facial puffiness and even scarring and discoloration at bay.

A Heart Shocking Discovery

With so many supposed health benefits attested to by many users, it is difficult to entertain doubts about this celebrated lifesaver. However, a recent study presented at the Annual Congress of the European League Against Rheumatism by Dr. Carl Orr has revealed that aspirin, given the right circumstances and contrary to popular belief, can actually contribute to cardiovascular issues such as heart attacks and strokes. Other studies have reinforced the fact that “wonder pills” such as aspirin may increase the risk of heart failure and even induce gastrointestinal issues.

With all the mounting evidence against the use of aspirins, perhaps it would be a good idea to look into what aspirin really does to your body and what other possible, healthier alternatives exist.

Popular Ideas and Misconceptions About Aspirin

With the frequency that doctors recommend their patients to take aspirin and how easily available it is in practically any drug store, as well as the fact that it has come to enjoy its status as a sort of “one size fits all” type of drug that can cure almost anything, there is understandably a lot of ill-informed beliefs about aspirin.

Possibly one of the most risky and consequential myths about aspirin is that it can even be used as a form of contraceptive to prevent pregnancy, which is just outright false. No amount of aspirin will ever be enough to prevent the occurrence of pregnancy. Another myth is that taking an aspirin before you go out drinking will stop you from getting drunk and quell any possible hangovers the next morning. This is also untrue and should be noted that consuming alcoholic drinks with any form of medication can possibly be dangerous and may lead to many adverse side effects.

Perhaps the biggest irony about talking aspirin is that many people believe that consuming one aspirin a day will actually help you prevent any possible heart diseases, when we’ve found out that actually the opposite is true. While aspirins and other similar pain killers are anti-inflammatory in nature and aid in relieving any pain felt from inflammation, there are times that this type of medication only treats the symptoms (the pain felt) without actually getting to the root of the problem (any possible heart condition that may yet be undetected). At best, taking an aspirin a day may help people, but in varying degrees, and doing so should not be taken as an appropriate substitute for maintaining actual cardiovascular health. This stems from the misconception that since aspirin is used to medicate those who have suffered heart attacks, people who have no previous history with heart problems take it as a preventive measure, which should not be done.

The Dangers of Aspirin

The daily consumption of aspirin has no real quantifiable benefits to the heart health of those who have no history of cardiovascular complications. Moreso, aspirin, when taken every day, can even lead to a lot of side effects that are difficult to determine, such as gastronomical bleeding. This means that aspirin actually causes bleeding in the lining of your stomach, at times to a possibly fatal extent. Even the kinds of aspirin that have special coating to render it harmless while it is in the stomach has been proven to be non-effective in preventing the risk of gastronomical bleeding, a fact that even the most staunch advocates of aspirin admit is just one of those things that aspirin-takers will have to deal with.

There have also been claims that taking aspirin can help reduce the risk of the development of cancer, but studies have shown that these claims, if not completely baseless, actually result in the opposite. The risks for pancreatic cancer and breast cancer actually increase with daily aspirin intake. Some people also mistakenly believe that aspirin can be taken to help in the prevention or the maintenance of Type 2 diabetes, but aspirin actually has no effect on this disease.

It is still true, however, that aspirin can be beneficial to people, but that only applies to people who fall under the proper conditions. At the end of the day, it is up to you, the consumer who puts his or her body at risk, to decide whether the possible benefits of aspirin outweigh its possibly dangerous side effects.

Aspirin Alternatives

If you have come to the realization that taking aspirin is just not worth the risk anymore, or you find yourself allergic to aspirin and other NSAIDs, you need not worry as there are many other healthy, natural alternatives available to you. You probably already know of numerous procedures and homemade remedies that help relieve pain, such as drinking a certain type of herb tea or inhaling special incense, but those cures are, unfortunately, rather slow to take effect. If you find yourself in need of immediate pain relief, then there are some natural herbs out there that can do the trick for you. It should be noted, however, that the effectiveness of these alternatives only go as far as how consumers do not overuse or abuse them.

Kratom is a natural herb that seems to have had an unfair association with drug abuse and vice, because of the fact that opium users were using it. However, the truth is that opium users were only using kratom because of its effectiveness in soothing anxiety and relieving pain that was brought upon by their withdrawal from opium. Despite apprehensions that still linger on, there is no denying the fact that kratom is a medicinal herb that might have only suffered a bad reputation due to knee-jerk reactions with regard to its effectiveness.

If you want an alternative that is free of any legal ramifications or lingering doubts, then curcumin might be the alternative for you. Commonly found in the spice turmeric, curcumin can help relieve pain and inflammation rather quickly. Since it can actually be used as a spice, figuring out ways to give yourself a dose of curcumin might not only be good for your health, but could be an enjoyable experience as well.

You can still take other types of synthetic medication if you’ve found yourself uncomfortable with taking aspirin, but you should remember that any type of medication usually brings with it a lot of unexpected side effects that cannot be preemptively detected because of the unpredictable nature of drugs and chemicals and their relationship with our body.

Ultimately, whether or not to take aspirin and the frequency in which you do, as well as the trust you put in something whose side effects still aren’t completely mapped out and understood, is completely up to you. Just be sure to be as conscious, aware, and well-researched as you can so that you can always do the best for your body.

 

Sources:
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(13)60900-9/abstract#sthash.UsYSgSDc.dpuf
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/06/130614082637.htm#sthash.UsYSgSDc.dpuf

Author:
Rachel Rain is an author and food detective that find out the truth about food, medications, and nutrition. Which wonderful friends in your life would appreciate this information about aspirin? Please help them by sharing this eye-opening article with each of them using any of the social media and email buttons below.


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25 responses to “The Truth About Aspirin – Is it Bad for You?”

  1. val Avatar
    val

    what is your researched based study to combat all the things you have said and published? the reason they use ASA (aspirin) is because studies have proved it successful, please send credible studies to support your views. I dont see any listed. thank you.

    1. dee Avatar
      dee

      yes, maybe so but by your comment you are not considering the side effects that are blantely obvious after extended use.
      such as kidney damage. several family members have experienced this…many side effects..ck out aspirin/kidney damage in internet..mega reports..cheers D.

  2. Yaakov Mark Avatar
    Yaakov Mark

    I am sorry but you dont know what your talking about. Kratom is a dangerous drug. It is causing major withdrawal symptoms just like Opiates. It has many side effects. Just like Heroin, you enjoy it in the beginning, and then over time if you try to get off it, it causes major withdrawals, and so you have to do more. Please run a correction on this. Your safety seal of approval may ruin someone’s life.

  3. Richard Killeen Avatar

    Interesting article. I have had 10 heart attacks, four angioplasties and one stint in the last 2 years. Dr. prescribed medication are: 87mg aspirin, 20mg Benicar daily. recently low back pain and possible pancreas problem and/or gall stones have been diagnosed. in your opinion, could this have bee caused by years of the mentioned drugs plus 20 mg Vytorin daily ??

    1. Louise Avatar
      Louise

      Oh yea big
      Time baby !!

      1. ALLAN cHAPMAN Avatar
        ALLAN cHAPMAN

        iS YOUR NAME FILMANOFF bONDI OR COOK

    2. Susan Tedrahn Avatar
      Susan Tedrahn

      I know this reply is a little late. Are you familiar with Nattokinase and Serrapeptase. Please look them both up on the Internet. Dr’s Best is a good brand.( just personal preference.)

  4. Richard Killeen Avatar

    Correction to the above, it’s 10 attacks in 20 years not 2 years.

  5. Seriously? Avatar
    Seriously?

    Very revealing. You advocate an unstudied uncontrolled ‘herb’ kratom that has been banned in some countries as a safer alternative to aspirin.

  6. Al P Avatar
    Al P

    The best aspirin alternative is Nattokinase with Vit K removed
    it prevents blood clots and NO side effects. I take this for A Fib which makes you prone to strokes so taking Nattokinase for years with no problems seems best! Look it up and see how many thousands take this, its better and safer than aspirin.

    1. Elena Michaels Avatar

      Al P, can you tell me which brand of nattokinase with vitamin K removed that you use? I also have A Fib and want to get off of warfarin (I only weigh 130 but I eat green veggies so I have to take 12 mg of warfarin a night). [email protected]

    2. Kevin Sheets Avatar

      Why is the K2 removed? Research is pointing to its presence as beneficial to heart and vascular health in northern Japanese people.

  7. Lesley Avatar
    Lesley

    Could you more specifically address aspirin therapy in relation to stroke prevention? I extensive ischemic stroke damage in my brain and have been taking fish oil and 325 mg of aspirin daily to combat this. Thank you.

  8. Fred Woelk Jr. Avatar
    Fred Woelk Jr.

    If the woman holds the aspirin between her knees she wont get pregnet

  9. NJ Westall Avatar
    NJ Westall

    What exactly does this statement mean….”figuring out ways to give yourself a dose of curcumin might not only be good for your health, but could be an enjoyable experience as well.”? Just curious. Thanks.

  10. C. Ray Bryan Avatar
    C. Ray Bryan

    Aspirin can be a killer. In the late 90’s, a doctor put me on an aspirin a day. A year later. I suffered two black stools and barely made it to the hospital before bleeding out. My (new) doctor told me I made it with 20 minutes to spare before Bye-Bye. My wife had the same thing happen ttwo years later. Your sensitivity to aspirin death depends on your own personal make-up. Aspirin may be great for your purposes — or it may kill you. My doc advised ME to never take another aspirin. Instead, I find generic Tylenol works just fine for me.

  11. Beverley Deroubaix Avatar
    Beverley Deroubaix

    I understand that Tumeric is good for our health.
    Are there some tablets that you can take to get
    The benefit of Tumeric. So many tablets have other
    Ingredients in them and very little of the ingredient
    That you want. Like some people, I can’t stomach it
    In powder form that you put in a drink.
    Also, how much do you need to take to be beneficial?
    Looking forward to hearing from you.
    Beverley

    1. Kevin Sheets Avatar
      Kevin Sheets

      Absorbtion of curcumin requires the presence of peperine and is fat soluble like some vitamins and calcium.

    2. Susan Tedrahn Avatar
      Susan Tedrahn

      Yes turmeric does come in pill form. You’ll find in the health food store or online. Have you tried turmeric as a hot tea WITH
      honey and. lemon? If not, give it a try. I find it easier to take it that way instead tablets because they are big and heavy, making it difficult for me to swallow.

  12. Mike Regan Avatar
    Mike Regan

    I use a teaspoon full of Turmeric mixed with Schmand (German sour cream 24% fat) plus Hemp seed , Chia seed and Milled flax seed with a couple of dried berries thrown in to sweeten. I add black pepper to activate the Turmeric since it is not taken up readily by the body. Its part of my way to combat inflammation because I don’t agree with knocking down cholesterol with side effect ridden statins.

  13. Genevieve Sheridan Avatar
    Genevieve Sheridan

    I feel like a walking time bomb as I have a pinched fifth nerve and my last 4 , plus this , gp are quite happy with me taking 1,000mg aspirin daily. I have asked to see a neurologist but the ultimate answer is that whilst I have no side effects, I can cope with it. Well I shouldn’t get dvt’s with my varicose veins. Nausea- had it for years, so won’t really know if I am getting fit bleed or not. Sorry, just venting but will try some of the alternatives. Thanks

    1. Susan Tedrahn Avatar
      Susan Tedrahn

      A comment about you poss. not knowing if you would have a gastric bleed. If you ever have dark to black tary looking stool or bright red blood in the toilet, that would be an indicator of a gastric bleed. Something to notify your MD about IMMEDIATLY.

  14. Cher Avatar
    Cher

    Thank you for aspiran alert &Turmeric useage receipe.Due to several past TIA’s, Dr suggested 81mg aspiran, daily.Body only reminds me to take it when thoughts become dense&sluggish.I appreciate having additional thoughts about aspiran use.My husband,having 4 stints and I will definitely monitor our use of aspiran.

  15. Jim Hewett Avatar
    Jim Hewett

    I have been taken aspririn for 20 years I am 73 years old and I was saved from having to have stents due to my Aspirin daily use of aspririn

  16. Mir Muzaffar Hussain Avatar
    Mir Muzaffar Hussain

    Very nice to have different views about Aspirin, I think it suits someone and not suits many. I appreciate to have more research and comments about it. Thanks to everyone.

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