By Natasha Turner, ND

Most of us think of aspirin when we get a headache, flu or a painful injury.  Its analgesic (pain-reducing), anti-inflammatory (aids swelling) and antipyretic (fever-reducing) properties make it one of the most commonly recommended drugs. But the majority of aspirin tablets taken today are not for aches and pains, most people take aspirin to reduce the risk of heart disease.

How Does Aspirin Work?
Aspirin is a member of a family of chemicals called salicylates. Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), the active ingredient of aspirin, originates from the bark of a willow tree. ASA works by reducing the production of inflammatory compounds known as prostaglandins in the body which contribute to pain, fever and swelling. When taken regularly, aspirin has the ability to prevent heart disease by reducing these inflammatory compounds in the body which also contribute to the formation of blood clots and inhibit healthy blood flow. Blood clots cause heart attacks by clogging the arteries that supply the heart. They also cause strokes by clogging the arteries to the brain.

Beyond Pain Relief
Aspirin is beneficial for numerous medical conditions including:
 
Cardiovascular conditions: Aspirin is one of the most extensively studied drugs in history, with a well-established efficacy and safety profile across a range of doses for preventing heart attack and recurrent stroke. Other pain relievers and fever-reducing drugs, such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxyn sodium, and ketoprofen, have not been shown to have beneficial impacts on cardiovascular health. Some COX inhibitor pain relief medications such as Vioxx have recently been pulled from the market because of their adverse effects on heart health.

According to the Bayer website, five landmark studies demonstrate that a daily aspirin regimen can reduce the risk of non-fatal first heart attack by approximately 32%. Aspirin is recommended for past heart attack sufferers and for patients with angina. First aid courses now outline the benefits of taking aspirin for anyone with the first signs of a heart attack. In hospitals, aspirin is given to almost anyone who has survived a heart attack or stroke due to blocked arteries. It is also administered to bypass or angioplasty patients to prevent recurrent blockage. Generally, only 50 mg to 81 mg is used daily for cardiovascular protective benefits while 75 mg to 325 mg are used for the treatment of angina or a previous heart attack.

Replacement for prescription blood thinning medication: A study in April of this year from Atlanta’s Emory University found that aspirin is safer than and just as effective as warfarin, a prescription drug sold as Coumadin, in preventing strokes caused by partial blockage of the arteries in the brain.

Cancer treatment: Although not currently recommended by Bayer for regular use because of the need for additional research, aspirin may be beneficial for a variety of cancers, including colorectal, breast, stomach, esophageal, ovarian, prostate, leukemia, Hodgkin’s lymphoma and turban tumor syndrome.

Colorectal Cancer: Three trials reported on the Bayer site found low-dose aspirin may reduce the risk of recurrence of cancerous growths in the colon, one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in both men and women. Another study noted that taking two or more tablets per week reduced the risk of occurrence of this cancer in the first place.

Cognitive/neurological benefits (including Alzheimer's disease):
Cognitive decline and dementia could be reduced through the anti-inflammatory properties of aspirin.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): Taking a low-dose aspirin daily may cut the risk of DVT in patients at risk.

Blood vessel wall protection: A researcher from East German University of Halle/Wittenberg has discovered that aspirin promotes the formation of a protein that can help to protect the cells which line the walls of blood vessels against attack from highly aggressive molecules known as free radicals. This could possibly prevent the development or at least the progress of hardening of the arteries.

Risks of Aspirin Use
Due to its risks, aspirin has not been officially approved for decreasing the risk of heart attack in healthy individuals. Certain medical conditions including pregnancy, high blood pressure, bleeding disorders, asthma, stomach ulcers and liver and kidney disease can make aspirin use more risky. Interactions with other medications and with natural products such as vitamins and herbal medicines that have natural blood thinning may also be risky.

Other more specific risks of chronic aspirin use include:

Bleeding: People shouldn't take aspirin for its cardiovascular benefits without discussing the risks of long-term use with a doctor. Potential benefits of taking aspiring such as inhibiting blood clotting may at the same time, increase risks such as excessive bleeding in the body. 

Hemorraghic stroke: Although aspirin decreases the risk of heart attack and stroke by reducing blood clot formation, the risk for a stroke caused by bleeding in the brain is a risk known to increase with daily use of aspirin.

Stomach irritation: Aspirin can irritate the stomach lining and cause heartburn, pain, nausea and more serious conditions such as internal bleeding, ulcers and holes in the stomach or intestines.

Ringing in the ears: Aspirin may cause temporary ringing in the ears and hearing loss at high doses, however this symptom usually disappears when the dose is lowered.

Allergies: According to the Mayo Clinic in the USA, facial swelling and/or an asthma attack may occur in two out of 1,000 people who are allergic to aspirin.

Reye’s syndrome (in children): Although rare and not an issue for adults, children with flu-like symptoms or chicken pox should not take aspirin because of the risk of developing Reye’s syndrome. 

Liver damage: Aspirin and other over-the-counter pain relievers and fever reducers can increase the risk of liver damage in people who drink three or more alcoholic beverages a day.

Natural Alternatives Without the Risk of Side Effects
With so many natural alternatives available that possess numerous health benefits beyond cardiovascular protection and cause no side effects, you really need to be aware of other options before taking aspirin daily. 

For pain relief without the risk of side effects consider herbal medicines with natural anti-inflammatory properties such as white willow bark, devil’s claw, turmeric or Bromelain. Taken on an empty stomach, these products have been found to be very effective for reducing pain and swelling.

For cardiovascular benefits, Co-enzyme Q-10 and natural vitamin E supplements are potent antioxidants with natural blood-thinning properties. Garlic supplements aid with blood thinning when taken regularly. Taking 4 grams of fish oils daily can assist with anti-inflammatory and anti-platelet activity along with a natural ability to lower cholesterol, regulate heart rhythm and the bonus of improving cognitive function. Nattokinase, a newer supplement, reduces inflammation in the arteries and decreases clotting. Finally, the amino acid arginine is well known for its antioxidant protection of the blood vessel linings, its ability to lower blood pressure and improving blood flow.

If your doctor has instructed you to take a low-dose aspirin daily, be sure to replenish your vitamin C with a high quality supplement as aspirin causes its depletion. You should also consider DGL in capsule form, a type of licorice that can soothe the digestive tract, assist in the prevention of digestive irritation and monitor iron levels regularly to avoid intestinal bleeding.