Daily Aspirin is Tonic for Good Health




I regard low-dose aspirin as a tonic and preventive that everyone should consider, particularly those who are at risk for cardiovascular disease.

Aspirin is derived from white-willow bark, a folk remedy for pain that was traditionally used by both Native Americans and Europeans. It reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes by preventing platelets from clumping, thereby reducing the chances that blood clots will form and block blood vessels. Aspirin may also reduce the risk for certain types of cancer, including colon cancer.

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You can get the maximum beneficial effect from as little as 81 milligrams of aspirin daily, about one-quarter the amount in a standard tablet, but those with a history of gastrointestinal bleeding should be cautious about taking aspirin at all, even in this low of a dose. Otherwise, I think almost any adult can use it safely.

Children and teenagers should not take aspirin because of the danger of Reye's Syndrome, a potentially fatal illness that frequently develops after a viral infection and is associated with the use of aspirin.

– With Marti Lotman

Andrew Weil, M.D., is Founder and Director, Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine at the College of Medicine, University of Arizona, and Director of Integrative Health and Healing, Miraval Resort. He is a pioneer in the field of integrative medicine, which combines conventional medicine with alternative approaches. He received his medical degree from Harvard University. His new book is "True Food: Seasonal, Sustainable, Simple, Pure."

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