An Aspirin a day … 

…does more than keep the doctor away.

We are not talking Tylenol; that’s Acetaminophen. Aspirin has shown effectiveness in diabetes, multiple sclerosis, cardiovascular disease, cancer, the list goes on. In fact, research shows that it has multiple anti-cancer mechanisms. Aspirin has been shown to:

• Reduce inflammation
• Reduce blood clotting
• Reduce lipolysis (the breakdown of fats that drive cancer progression)
• Reduce the formation of new blood vessels to tumors (angiogenesis)
• Act as an antioxidant
• Counter the effects of estrogen
• Counter the harmful effects of seed oils
• Help to restore mitochondrial function (the brain of a cell)
• Help to restore glucose metabolism

But before you run to the store to start taking aspirin, read on to get the full picture.

Aspirin has a lot of great benefits, the most common being for cardiovascular health. It helps to thin the blood and therefore prevent blood clots that can lead to stroke. Many individuals have been advised by their doctors to take a low dose aspirin (81 mg or baby aspirin) every day because of high homocysteine levels indicating a higher propensity for blood clotting. This “thick sticky blood” can also be a great environment for cancer cells, which is another reason some individuals take it..

Research warns against aspirin due to its harmful effects on the digestive system. However, other studies show that it may actually be protective. One found that low‐dose aspirin is associated with a 54% reduced risk of gastric cancer. Other research suggests that it may mitigate the effects of gluten sensitivity. But before you reach for the Bayer, know this:

Many aspirin brands contain heavy metals, something you don’t want in your body. You may want to try an aspirin powder such as Health Natura which is 99% pure—meaning it has no starches, binders, preservatives, etc. It’s a powder that you mix with water or even add to smoothies.

You need to know WHY you are taking a medication (or in this case, an over the counter option) and continue to monitor results, because you may not always need that aspirin.