Health and Wellness Blog

This little unassuming pill made of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), aka Aspirin, is in the news again. Hippocrates used it - the ground bark of the willow tree which contains the chemical salicylic acid – to treat aches and pains in his patients centuries ago. After many refinements over the centuries, ASA today is one of the most popular over-the-counter medications.

Yet in spite of its long history, experts are still not sure how ASA really works. The most widely accepted theory is that acetylsalicylic acid blocks levels of prostaglandins (enzymes associated with inflammation) which are known to cause pain. While this explains ASA's role in reducing arthritis and inflammation pain, what about all the other claims that this little miracle drug is known for?

Besides pain relief, low-dose ASA (81mg) has become a daily staple of aging boomers in their quest to prevent heart disease and stroke. Add to this the latest news… "Daily aspirin reduces deaths due to several common cancers…" as reported in the British medical journal Lancet.

This is exciting news but does it mean that we should all be taking ASA on a daily basis to prevent cancer? Experts warn that aspirin is not for everyone and as one expert put it, "aspirin may lower cancer risks, but lifestyle changes may work better." The bottom line is, before you rush out to buy your bottle of ASA, talk to your trusted health care provider and work on improving your lifestyle.

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