An aspirin costs just a few pennies, but it can be used for many things other than relieving a headache.
Aspirin is acetylsalicylic acid which is a compound that blocks the action of cyclooxygenases (COX), enzymes that are found in every cell.
COX help manufacture hormones that control pain, fever and inflammation.
We're going to explore a few of the uses for aspirin that you may not be aware of.
Again, before starting a daily dosage of aspirin, you should consult with your family physician as there are some risks associated with taking aspirin on a regular basis.
Aspirin is acetylsalicylic acid which is a compound that blocks the action of cyclooxygenases (COX), enzymes that are found in every cell.
COX help manufacture hormones that control pain, fever and inflammation.
We're going to explore a few of the uses for aspirin that you may not be aware of.
- Preventing heart attack.
The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends the daily use of aspirin for primary prevention of heart attack and stroke.
However, there are some risks to taking a daily aspirin, especially if you a history of gastrointestinal bleeding.
So, it is very important that you consult with your primary physician before starting the daily ingestion of aspirin.
- Protecting diseased arteries.
If you have had a heart attack, taking one aspirin daily can reduce your risk for a second heart attack by 23%.
If you have chest pain that signals serious heart disease, taking a daily aspirin can reduce your risk for heart attack by 51%.
Type 2 diabetes can damage your arteries--so if you are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, you should probably be taking an aspirin each day. - Colon cancer.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School conducted some research that indicates people diagnosed with colorectal cancer who begin taking aspirin regularly after diagnosis had a 29% lower risk of dying from the disease that those who never use aspirin.
- Breast cancer.
A study conducted in 2008 showed that women who regularly took aspirin had a 16% lower risk for estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer. - Asthma.
Scientists at Harvard found that those who regularly used aspirin had a 22% lower risk for newly diagnosed adult asthma. - Diabetes.
A 2009 study in Japan determined that men who regularly used aspirin had a 14% lower risk for developing Type 2 diabetes. - Alzheimer's disease.
John Hopkins researchers found that regular users of aspirin had a 23% lower risk of developing Alzheimer's.
Again, before starting a daily dosage of aspirin, you should consult with your family physician as there are some risks associated with taking aspirin on a regular basis.