Safe
and Natural Alternatives to Aspirin
by
Margaret Durst
The Green House
Previously
by Margaret Durst: Immune
Building Tips – Stay Well This Winter!
K is for klotting
which doesnt really start with a k, but
its what I want to write about. Many people take an aspirin
a day to prevent stroke and heart attack based on aspirins
ability to thin the blood and prevent blood clots.
Most alternative
doctors have been against aspirin for a long time because it damages
the stomach lining and causes kidney and liver damage. Aspirin is
responsible for a significant number of emergency room visits because
it causes gastrointestinal bleeding.
New studies
are now showing that an aspirin a day actually increases risk of
stroke and heart attack in 40 percent of the people who take it.
Research is also showing that long term use of aspirin increases
your risk of macular degeneration and cataracts by as much as 44
percent.
Aspirin is
recommended because it thins the blood and keeps dangerous clots
from forming. However, there are much safer things to take than
aspirin that perform as well or better without the negative side
effects.
The first of
these is nattokinase a fibrinolytic enzyme that breaks down
fibrin. Fibrin is a blood protein that forms long sticky strands
and clots that is normally inhibited by the enzyme plasmin. As we
age, the bodys production of plasmin decreases and we become
more prone to thick, sticky blood that has a tendency to clot.
Nattokinase
closely resembles plasmin in its ability to dissolve clots. It has
performed well in both animal and human studies. Natto has a prolonged
action that works in 2 ways. The first is to prevent abnormal blood
coagulation and the second is to dissolve existing clots. Research
is showing that it is as effective as some of the prescription drugs,
but lasts significantly longer without any tendency to over thin
the blood. Other good side effects of nattokinase include some ability
to inhibit atherosclerosis, reduce blood pressure and also to strengthen
bones due to its vitamin K content.
The second
substance that works as well or better than aspirin is natural vitamin
E. There are several research studies showing that 100 IU of natural
vitamin E is 4 times as effective as aspirin without the negative
side effects. Please note that synthetic vitamin E should not be
used and may even be harmful.
The third
substance that works to prevent clotting is fish oil. High quality
omega 3 oils from fish have great cardiovascular benefits that include
being anti-inflammatory, reducing cholesterol and preventing blood
clots.
The fourth
substance is ginkgo biloba, which is an herb that inhibits the clotting
action of blood and improves circulation to the extremities and
to the brain. Ginkgo also improves the action of neurotransmitters
in the brain and is known for helping restore memory.
These are
all good options for thinning blood and preventing clotting. They
can be used separately or together depending on your needs without
the negative side effects of aspirin.
December 20, 2011
Margaret
Durst owns The
Green House, a vitamin, herb and health food store in Mason,
Texas.
Copyright
© 2011 Margaret
Durst
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