The Independent reports that GPs are to be told to stop prescribing aspirin to people with a common heart condition because it is no longer considered effective in preventing strokes. The drug is used to thin the blood of hundreds of thousands of patients with an irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation, which increases the chance of stroke inducing blood clots forming. The Food Doctor says although aspirin is a highly effective medication it does come with some downsides. • Aspirin is documented to cause depletion of vitamin C, calcium, folic acid, iron, sodium, potassium and pantothenic acid (vitamin B5). Vitamin C deficiency may weaken the immune system and increase free radical damage leading to a number of health and immune related issues. • A less commonly known side effect of aspirin is that long term use may increase the damage caused by arthritis – shown to possibly reduce the production of collagen (vitamin C is vital for production of collagen) and speed up the destruction of cartilage in joints. • A much more familiar side effect is that of gastrointestinal bleeding and ulcers which has been diligently outlined in this article. Because of this side effect aspirin remains unsuitable for people already suffering from stomach complains such as ulcers.
Posted on: Mon, 16 Jun 2014 18:20:00 +0000
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