Real Danger of Aspirin Consumption

Did you know that taking daily doses of aspirin over a long period of time can damage your kidneys. That’s right. Unfortunately, many cardiologists recommend that their patients take baby aspirin to “prevent” a heart attack or stroke. A major study found that daily low-dose aspirin, including Bayer aspirin, did not significantly reduce stroke risk and may increase the risk of brain bleeding in older adults. In all my 55 plus years of professional practice, I never read a study that showed the human body was deficient in aspirin.

Aspirin causes kidney damage by blocking cyclooxygenase enzymes, which are essential for producing prostaglandins. These prostaglandins help dilate blood vessels in the kidneys and maintain adequate blood flow. When prostaglandin synthesis is suppressed:

• Renal blood flow decreases
• Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) drops
• Kidneys may retain sodium, water, and potassium

In addition, reduced prostaglandins lead to narrowing of blood vessels, which can cause ischemic injury—damage due to lack of oxygen and nutrients in kidney tissues.

T

he take-away message is that aspirin deficiency does not exist and there are safer ways to reduce the stickiness or clotting of your blood to prevent heart attacks and stroke. By taking organic, cold pressed omega 6 and omega 3 oils, you will dramatically reduce the incidence of your blood clotting causing a heart attack. Also nature has its own form of aspirin. Foods like cayenne pepper, berries, raisins, and prunes, have salicylates that can reduce clotting by inhibiting platelet aggregation. In addition, vitamin E found in almonds, sunflower seeds, and spinach, along with polyphenols and flavonoids found in red wine, dark chocolate, green tea, and berries, allicin found in garlic, the spice curcumin, which is the active ingredient in turmeric, and lastly ginger may also help reduce platelet activity and improve vascular health. Remember what Nancy Reagan always said, “Just say NO to drugs.” The choice is yours.