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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