Author: Whitaker's Natural Market

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The Probiotic Miracle

When you are healthy, over 100 trillion microorganisms, from some 400 different species, flourish in your intestinal tract, aiding in digestion, absorption, and the production of significant amounts of B vitamins and enzymes. 

Unfortunately, the levels of beneficial bacteria decline dramatically as the human body ages. Some of the reasons for this decline include:

  • Over time, the colonies of friendly bacteria just naturally age and lose their vitality.
  • Disruptions and changes in the acid/alkaline balance of the bowels can play a major role in reducing the growth of beneficial bacteria. In addition, these changes tend to favor the growth of harmful viral and fungal organisms as well as putrefactive, disease-causing bacteria.
  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) like Advil, Motrin, Midol, etc. are destructive to intestinal flora.
  • Chlorine in the drinking water not only serves to kill bacteria in the water; it is equally devastating to the colonies of beneficial bacteria living in the intestines.
  • Radiation and chemotherapy are devastating to your inner bacterial environment.
  • Virtually all meat and chicken and dairy that you eat (other than organic) is loaded with antibiotics, which destroy ALL of the beneficial bacteria in your gastrointestinal tract.
  • Constipation, of course, allows harmful bacteria to hang around longer, which allows them to proliferate.
  • Cigarettes, alcohol, and stress are also major culprits.
  • And if you’ve ever been subjected to a round of “medicinal” antibiotics, you can kiss your beneficial bacteria good-bye. The problem is that antibiotics indiscriminately destroy both bad and GOOD bacteria — allowing virulent, mutant strains of harmful microorganisms to emerge and run rampant inside the body. Antibiotics (both medicinal and in our food supply) are the #1 culprit in the overgrowth of HARMFUL pathogens in the gastrointestinal tract (a condition called dysbiosis) that may be at the root of many autoimmune disorders and certain cancers.

A properly functioning intestinal tract is one of your body’s first lines of defense against invaders and a healthy immune system. In a healthy colon there are, on average, anywhere from 100 billion to 1,000 billion beneficial bacteria per milliliter (about 1/5 of a teaspoon) that literally consume harmful bacteria and other invaders. In the typical American, because of poor diet and neglect of the colon, the beneficial bacteria count may be as low as 4 or 5 per milliliter. Just compare 1,000 billion to 4, and you’ll have an understanding of the scope of the problem. Many researchers now believe that declining levels of friendly bacteria in the intestinal tract may actually mark the onset of chronic degenerative disease and a suppressed immune system. Our goal is to strengthen the immune system.

The benefits of a probiotically optimized intestinal tract include:

  • Lowered cholesterol
  • Inhibition of cancer
  • Protection against food poisoning
  • Protection against stomach ulcers
  • Protection against lactose intolerance and casein intolerance
  • Enhanced immunity
  • Protection against many harmful bacteria, viruses, and fungi
  • Protection against candida overgrowth and vaginal yeast infections
  • Prevention and correction of constipation and diarrhea, ileitis and colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and a whole range of other digestive tract dysfunctions
  • Improvement in the health and appearance of the skin
  • Better nutrition from improved absorption and the internal generation of B vitamins.

There can be no true health or recovery from disease unless you have colonies of over 100 trillion beneficial microorganisms flourishing in your intestinal tract, from your mouth to your anus, aiding in digestion, absorption, the production of significant amounts of vitamins and enzymes, and working to crowd out all harmful bacteria — allowing them no place to gain a foothold. Supplementation with a Good Probiotic is Mandatory to raise your baseline of health and strengthen your Immune System.

Be sure to check out our large selection of high quality probiotics on your next visit to Whitaker’s.
 

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Glyphosate Causing Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup herbicide, has been making headlines for its potential to cause cancer, but another serious disease has also been linked to this ubiquitous chemical: nonalchoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), particularly the most advanced cases.

Staggering amounts of glyphosate have been applied worldwide in recent decades. Since 1974, for instance, more than 1.6 billion kilograms (or about 3.5 billion pounds) of glyphosate have been used in the U.S. alone, accounting for 19% of its overall usage worldwide.

Two-thirds of the total volume of glyphosate applied in the U.S. from 1974 to 2014 was applied in the last 10 years — a time during which rates of NAFLD also increased.
As more and more glyphosate has been sprayed on agricultural lands, parks, and backyards, entering our food and water supplies, NAFLD rates have trended upward, from a prevalence of 15% in 2005 to 25% in 2010. Is there a connection? The answer increasingly appears to be yes.

Those with a more severe form of NAFLD called nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, or NASH, had significantly higher residues of glyphosate in their urine, an association that held true regardless of other factors in liver health, such as body mass index, diabetes status, age or race.

That exposure to glyphosate may lead to more severe forms of liver disease is concerning, since those with NASH are at increased risk of liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, and higher liver-related and non-liver-related mortality than the general population.

In a UC San Diego news release, lead study author Paul J. Mills, Ph.D., explained “There have been a handful of studies, all of which we cited in our paper, where animals either were or weren’t fed Roundup or glyphosate directly, and they all point to the same thing: the development of liver pathology. So I naturally thought: ‘Well, could it be exposure to this same herbicide that is driving liver disease in the U.S.?’”

According to Mills, “The increasing levels [of glyphosate] in people’s urine very much correlates to the consumption of Roundup treated crops into our diet,” although he acknowledged that we’re exposed to many synthetic chemicals on a regular basis, and the study only measured one. Still, it’s not the first time glyphosate has been linked to problems with liver health, including NAFLD and NASH.

“Glyphosate is also a patented antibiotic (Patent No.: US 7771736),” the researchers said, “and can inhibit the growth of susceptible bacteria by inhibition of the shikimate pathway and could cause dysbiosis in the gastrointestinal tract,” and added:

“Our observations may have human health implication since NAFLD is predicted to be the next major global epidemic. Approximately 20-30% of the population in the United States carry extra fat in their livers. NAFLD is associated with the recent rapid rise in the incidence of diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome.

Overall, it is acknowledged that NAFLD is mostly caused by excess caloric intake, but also from the consumption of processed foods … as well as sedentary lifestyles.

However, many suffer from NAFLD but which do not have any high risk factors and thus other contributors to disease, such as exposure to physiologically active environmental pollutants via contaminated food, cannot be excluded.”

Just yet another reason to make sure that you are eating Certified Organic!  Be sure to browse our constantly growing Organic options especially local Organically grown produce available at Whitaker’s!
 

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Poison Ivy – No Fun!

Now is the time of year that everyone is enjoying being outside, being in the garden, and cleaning out the flower beds.  It is also the time of year that unfortunately many people start to get into Poison Ivy!  Did you know there are a few different all natural ways to help you quickly recover from that exposure?!?

First of all, begin by coming inside, removing your clothing, and immediately putting them in to wash.  This limits re-exposure to them via the oils that remain on your clothing.

Then jump in for a shower with the amazing Jewelweed Soap that we offer at Whitaker’s.  Jewelweed helps to prevent the spread of the rash and dry out the blisters that do form.  So continue to shower and wash with this soap for as long as you have Poison Ivy or anytime you think you may have come in contact with it.

Then spray the entire affected area with Soothing Oak and Ivy Spray by Herb Pharm also available at Whitaker’s.   Specifically designed for allergic contact dermatitis associated with the plants Poison Oak, Poison Ivy, and Poison Sumac. It helps relieve the itching and can prevent or lessen the occurrence of blisters. When first applied, there is an overall soothing feeling and relief of the itching. Continued use can minimize the intensity and spread of the dermatitis and speed up the healing process.

Finally, make sure to take Hyland’s Homoepathic Poison Ivy/Oak Tablets also found at Whitaker’s to help calm the allergic reaction, prevent systemic spread, and speed up the healing time.  

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Resveratrol’s Health Benefits

Many people wonder, “what is resveratrol?” For many years, grape seed extract was a hot seller (packaged as OPCs). In an interesting twist, it turns out that an important part of the grape was being left behind! The skin, which was being discarded in favor of the seeds, actually contains a powerful phytoalexin antioxidant known as resveratrol.

Resveratrol Health Benefits

Resveratrol is a naturally occurring antioxidant that decreases the “stickiness” of blood platelets and helps blood vessels to remain open. In addition, resveratrol appears to have estrogen-like properties and may be helpful in the treatment of breast diseases. Also, studies indicate that resveratrol can profoundly inhibit glucose uptake in HL-60 and U937 cells. Thus, resveratrol may prevent or abate metabolic disorders such as obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Resveratrol for Cancer Prevention

In controlled studies, the benefits of resveratrol have been shown to reduce skin-cancer tumors by up to 98% and to stop the production of leukemia cells. In addition, it works as a Cox inhibitor, thus halting the spread of cancer throughout the body.

Resveratrol for Increased Longevity

And in 2003, the results of a study were released that showed that the benefits of resveratrol extended the lifespan of yeast cells by 70% by activating a “longevity gene” expressed during caloric restriction. Since mammals have the same “longevity gene” and since caloric restriction is known to extend the lifespan of mammals, scientists speculated humans might be able to receive the longevity benefits of caloric restriction simply by supplementing with resveratrol. And in fact, subsequently, resveratrol hit the news big time for its suspected ability to extend life and emerged as “the” hot antioxidant of the day, both in its supplement form and as a component of red wine, its most commonly identified natural source.

So be sure to pick up a bottle of 
Now Natural Resveratrol 50mg Capsules 
on your next visit to Whitaker’s 
Resveratrol is a polyphenol naturally found in the skin of red grapes, certain berries, and other plants. Recent research has shown that Resveratrol can help to support healthy cardiovascular function. Resveratrol is best known for its cellular anti-aging properties, as well as for its ability to promote a healthy response to normal biological stress. To complement the activities of Trans-Resveratrol, this product includes proanthocyanidins (OPCs) from grape seed extract and catechins from green tea extract.

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Papaya For Digestive Help!

Papain is a proteolytic enzyme found in concentrated amounts in unripe papaya fruit. It is similar to bromelain (found in pineapple) and has many of the same health benefits. However, there are a few medicinal traits unique to papain that can help improve the body’s overall health.

Papain for Digestive Issues
For instance, if you cook with red meat, you may know that papaya is a well-known fruit used as a tenderizer. This is because the enzymes in the fruit help break down the proteins in the meat. The papain in papaya does the same thing in the body. However, what makes papain a bit more special is that it doesn’t require a certain level of acidity or alkalinity within the body.

This is of vital importance for those with enzyme deficiency problems, as well as for those with low hydrochloric acid output in the stomach. It is important to understand that pepsin produced in the stomach to aid in protein digestion is activated only in an acid medium. This requires a healthy output of hydrochloric acid that is insufficient in many people—especially as they age. Since papain does not require hydrochloric acid, many people with digestive problems will be helped by daily supplementation with papain. In fact, you’ll often find papain in digestive enzyme formulas for this reason.

Papain as an Anti-Inflammatory
While papain is certainly effective as a digestive enzyme, it is also just as effective as a systemic enzyme. If papain is taken between meals, it makes its way into the bloodstream where it helps reduce pain and inflammation, as well as fluid retention following trauma and surgery. In fact, studies have shown that papain possesses strongly marked anti-inflammatory activity, and this ability is no less than that of the pharmaceutical drugs butadion and indomethacin.

We are pleased to offer two digestive enzyme blends that feature Papain as a main ingredient.

NOW® Super Enzymes is a comprehensive blend of enzymes that supports healthy digestion. Formulated with Bromelain, Ox Bile, Pancreatin and Papain, Super Enzymes helps to optimize the breakdown of fats, carbohydrates and protein.  Also, excellent for someone having early stage gallbladder and pancreas issues!

NOW® Plant Enzymes is a comprehensive blend of enzymes that helps to support proper digestion. This product’s combination of enzymes assists in the breakdown of fats, fiber, proteins, and carbohydrates, thus optimizing the availability of nutrients in the food you eat. NOW® Plant Enzymes also includes lactase to support the digestion of dairy products for those who are sensitive to lactose.

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Recipe – Whole Wheat Pancakes

These are some of our favorite pancakes.  We love to make them and top with butter, fruit such as peaches, and whipped topping.  Yum!
 
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 Tbsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
3 Tbsp sugar
2 eggs
5 Tbsp applesauce or oil
1½ cups milk
 
Place all ingredients in a bowl.  Whisk together until smooth.  Cook on a hot griddle.

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A Quick Walk a Day Keeps Arthritis at Bay

Arthritis is a major complaint of many people as they get older. Typically starting after the age of 40, osteoarthritis—the most common form of arthritis—develops in one or more joints and results in pain, stiffness, and swelling, which can worsen to the point that it impacts the quality of life and eventually even becomes disabling. And with more than 30 million adults in the United States alone suffering from osteoarthritis, this is an issue that should be of concern to all of us. But even if you already have a diagnosis of osteoarthritis, there is hope. New research suggests that there may be a simple way to avoid a worsening of your symptoms.

The study, which took place at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, Illinois, found that taking a brisk walk for less than 10 minutes per day is associated with a decrease in the risk of developing a disability for those with osteoarthritis in a lower-extremity joint. This is based on an investigation that included more than 1,500 men and women between the age of 45 and 79 and residing around Baltimore, Maryland; Columbus, Ohio; Pawtucket, Rhode Island; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

All the subjects had been diagnosed with osteoarthritis in the knee, hip, ankle, or foot, and experienced some level of pain or stiffness but were not limited in mobility or disabled in any way as the trial began. They were tracked for four years, with their physical activity recorded on a wearable electronic device. After evaluating the data, the researchers discovered that just one hour a week—or less than 10 minutes a day—of moderate to vigorous exercise was enough to lower their risk of disability substantially.

As the four-year time period ended, the participants were assessed as to their ability to perform a number of standard daily and self-care tasks. Among those who spent less than an hour a week doing moderate activity, 24 percent had to walk so slowly that it was unsafe to cross a street and 23 percent had trouble with basic tasks such as bathing and dressing unassisted. But those who had been doing a minimum of an hour a week of exercise had an 85 percent lower risk of being unable to cross a street alone due to the need to walk slowly, and their risk of being unable to bathe, dress, or walk across a room unaided was close to 45 percent lower.

Considering the fact that approximately 20 percent of osteoarthritis sufferers develop a disability over time, this is huge news. It may be intimidating for someone who rarely or never does any sort of exercise to hear that they should be working out for a half hour to an hour each week. But even if you are currently sedentary and don’t do anything more than walk around your home and to the door of your car, 10 minutes a day of walking is a realistic goal that you can absolutely achieve.

Don’t concern yourself too much with your pace initially. Simply start by putting on a comfortable pair of shoes and walking down the block, around the corner, or wherever you can make it in a few minutes. As this becomes a habit, you can work on extending the amount of time you spend walking and pick up your speed.

And don’t forget to take other steps to lower your risk of disability from osteoarthritis, such as eating foods that help reduce inflammation like nuts and losing weight, which will relieve some stress on your affected joints. Adding in a supplement such as OsteoMove Extra Strength Joint Care from Natural Factors can provide fast relief from acute and chronic pain and has extensive long-term benefits for joint health. A powerful anti-inflammatory, OsteoMove slows down cartilage degeneration, maintains strong and healthy bones, and encourages the repair of connective tissue.  Be sure to pick up your bottle of OsteoMove on your next “walk” to Whitaker’s! 

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Mushrooms Help Protect Your Brain

We all worry at least occasionally about what the future will bring. As we get older, one of the scariest threats is the possibility of developing dementia and losing many of our precious memories. While there is no surefire way to guarantee that we won’t experience cognitive decline in our later years, there are steps we can take that will reduce its likelihood. New research now suggests that one potential form of brain protection could come from something you might already enjoy eating—mushrooms.

The study, which took place at the National University of Singapore, found that consuming mushrooms more than twice a week is associated with a lower risk of cognitive problems such as mild memory loss and language difficulties in older adults. These results are based on an investigation that included 663 Chinese men and women, all of whom were at least 60 years old. Their dietary and lifestyle habits were tracked for a six-year period between 2011 and 2017.

The subjects answered questions about the frequency of their consumption of mushrooms. Then, the researchers compared this information with the results of several different cognitive tests each participant took.

Those who ate mushrooms regularly achieved higher scores on average in the testing and were noted to have greater speed in processing, which is related to the ability to complete tasks in a shorter duration of time. And more mushroom eating was definitely shown to be better, with a positive correlation in test performance especially associated with those who consumed more than two servings of mushrooms a week, or the equivalent of more than 10.5 ounces or 300 mg when compared to their peers who consumed mushrooms less than once a week.

The results are not really surprising to find that mushrooms may offer a boost to our brains. All varieties of the fungi are rich in ergothioneine, which is an amino acid with anti-inflammatory effects that may prevent free radical damage to the brain. Mushrooms are also good sources of vitamin D, selenium, and spermidine. Spermidine is known to help clear debris that accumulates in the body’s cells.

What’s more, this is not the first research to show that mushrooms can benefit the brain. A 2017 study at the University of Malaya in Kuala found that regular consumption of mushrooms may be associated with brain changes that reduce the risk of developing dementia.

Finally, don’t forget that staving off cognitive decline is about more than just mushroom consumption. It’s important to eat a varied diet that offers a lot of fruits and vegetables full of antioxidants and nutrients that can help protect your brain. Blueberries and leafy green vegetables are also good food options that have been shown to provide some protection from dementia as we age. Supplementing with L-Carnosine and Acetyl-L-Carnitine can help maintain the health of brain cells. And exercise is another essential factor that has been found to give our brains a boost and prevent memory loss.

And all that being said, remember, dementia is also a side effect of many medications—especially psychopharmaceuticals when used in combination. The more you take, the greater the risk.

So keeping up your overall health is most important and supplementing with mushrooms is a great way to boost your health!  Be sure to check out our large selection of mushroom based supplements on your next visit to Whitaker’s! 

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Health Benefits of Activated Charcoal

If you’ve ever used a water filtration system or pitcher, you’ve already seen the benefits of activated charcoal in action. Activated charcoal does essentially the same thing in your intestinal tract that a charcoal block does in your water filter. Toxins and chemicals bind to the activated charcoal, and since the charcoal doesn’t get “digested” per se, these toxins are then flushed out. It can attract and trap thousands of times its own weight in gases, toxins, food additives and other chemicals. In fact, activated charcoal is estimated to reduce absorption of poisonous substances by up to 60%. Even more, it can absorb over 3,000 known drug residues.

Activated Charcoal for Poison or Overdose – While common uses of this natural remedy aren’t vast, activated charcoal can be quite effective when it counts. A perfect example of this is its use by hospitals to treat certain types of poisoning and drug overdoses. In fact, research shows that it in some cases, it may work even better than stomach pumping.

Activated Charcoal for Teeth Whitening – One unexpected use for activated charcoal is its ability to help whiten teeth naturally. In the same way it works in the body, it adsorbs plaque and toxins from the mouth, killing bad bacteria and removing stains.

Activated Charcoal for Gas and Bloating – Another positive effect of activated charcoal is that it may help reduce gas and bloating when eating known gassy foods. A double-blind clinical trial showed that symptoms of bloating and abdominal cramps attributable to gaseousness were significantly reduced in both groups by activated charcoal.

Activated Charcoal for Skin Health – In addition to some of the benefits already detailed, you will probably find activated charcoal in many natural remedy first aid kits in case of bug bites, rashes, and even acne. It is known to help with issues ranging from mosquito bites to bites from snakes and poisonous spiders.

Activated Charcoal for Digestive and Internal Health – Even with an extremely healthy diet, our bodies are exposed to countless toxins from our environment, the food we eat, and the water we drink, which can create an unhealthy stress on our bodies and organs. Removing these toxins can provide many positive side effects from more energy, less joint pain, increased mental functions, a decrease in premature aging and improved digestive functions. Activated charcoal helps absorb and flush out the toxins that are causing damage and extra stress to our organs including candida and mold, allowing our entire body to function better.  

How to Use Activated Charcoal
If you have talked to me in the store before, you may very well have heard me recommend Activated Charcoal for a lot of reasons.  You want to take it 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals, supplements, and prescriptions unless taking it with a meal to reduce a gas reaction.  Why you might ask?  While Activated Charcoal is selective in its choices of what to bind to, it can at times bind to things we want to retain, so taking it separately allows it to focus on all the negatives we want to remove.  I also typically recommend 2 capsules twice daily, so be sure to pick up your bottle of Activated Charcoal the next time you are at Whitaker’s. 

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Low-Dose Aspirin Is Now Out of Favor with the Medical Establishment

A series of recent studies have caused the powers that be in the medical community to suddenly look with disfavor on the use of daily, low-dose aspirin for preventing heart disease.

Millions and millions and millions of people around the world have been taking daily, low-dose aspirin for decades because the medical community has told them that this will prevent heart attacks and strokes. After all, taking aspirin is easy to do (a whole lot easier than losing weight, exercising, and eating healthy), costs just pennies, and almost every doctor recommends it to their patients – especially their elderly patients. It is thought by the medical community that aspirin’s anti-inflammatory properties help delay the onset or progress of some diseases (especially heart disease) over a long period. In truth, however, this theory has not been proven. In fact, information on the use of aspirin to increase healthy independent lifespans in older persons is quite limited. The bottom line is that whether 5 years of daily low-dose aspirin therapy can extend disability-free life in healthy seniors is unclear.

This question was answered in five studies and one set of guidelines that were released in three devastating blows from September 2018 through March 2019.

First Blow: Aspirin Doesn’t Help, and It Does Increase Gastrointestinal Bleeding

The first blow was the large observational ASPREE Study (Aspirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly), which was initiated in 2010 and involved participants in Australia and the US. It focused on the efficacy and safety of daily, low-dose aspirin in the elderly for the prevention of a range of disabilities, including heart disease, and the results were published last fall in The New England Journal of Medicine.

From 2010 through 2014, participants were enrolled who were 70 years of age or older (or ≥65 years of age among blacks and Hispanics in the United States) and did not have cardiovascular disease, dementia, or physical disability. Participants were randomly assigned to receive 100 mg per day of enteric-coated aspirin or placebo orally. The primary end point was a composite of death, dementia, or persistent physical disability. Secondary end points reported in this article included the individual components of the primary end point and major hemorrhage.  A total of 19,114 persons with a median age of 74 years were enrolled, of whom 9,525 were randomly assigned to receive aspirin and 9,589 to receive placebo.

The trial was terminated at a median of 4.7 years of follow-up after a determination was made that participants would receive no benefit with continued aspirin use, at least regarding the primary end point. The rate of the composite of death, dementia, or persistent physical disability was 21.5 events per 1,000 person-years in the aspirin group and a slightly – albeit statistically insignificant – lower figure of 21.2 per 1,000 person-years in the placebo group. Additionally, differences between the aspirin group and the placebo group once again favored the placebo group – at a statistically insignificant level – with regard to the secondary individual end points of death from any cause (12.7 events per 1,000 person-years in the aspirin group and 11.1 events per 1,000 person-years in the placebo group). But more statistically significant and shocking was the fact that the rate of major hemorrhage was 36% higher in the aspirin group than in the placebo group (3.8% vs. 2.8%).

To put it in simple terms, the study’s conclusion stated:

“Aspirin use in healthy elderly persons did not prolong disability-free survival over a period of 5 years but led to a higher rate of major hemorrhage than placebo.”

Second Blow: Aspirin Does Not Reduce Mortality and It Profoundly Increases Major Bleeding Events

The second mortal blow to the use of low-dose aspirin came on January 22, 2019, when the Journal of the American Medical Association published the results of a study that found that taking aspirin on a regular basis to prevent heart attacks and strokes can lead to an increased risk of almost 50% in major bleeding episodes.

The results showed that:

Aspirin use was associated with an 11% lower risk of cardiovascular events.  To put this in more easily understandable terms based on the criteria and study participants of 164,225 people, approximately 250 patients needed to be treated with aspirin for 5 years to prevent a single heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular death.

Aspirin use was associated with a 43% increased risk of major bleeding events, compared to those who did not take it.

Approximately one in 200 people treated with aspirin had a major bleed.

No effect was seen with aspirin on new cancer diagnoses or deaths.

In a University news release, lead author, Dr Sean Zheng, Academic Clinical Fellow in Cardiology at King’s College London said: “This study demonstrates that there is insufficient evidence to recommend routine aspirin use in the prevention of heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular deaths in people without cardiovascular disease.

Third Blow: The Coup de Grace. 

And then on March 17, 2019, the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association dealt the coup de grace.

The ACC/AHA Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines commissioned this guideline to consolidate existing recommendations and various recent scientific statements, expert consensus documents, and clinical practice guidelines into a single guidance document focused on the primary prevention of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD)–including newly generated, specific recommendations for aspirin use. Those recommendations stated:

Low-dose aspirin (75-100 mg orally daily) MIGHT be considered for the primary prevention of ASCVD among select adults 40 to 70 years of age who are at higher ASCVD risk but not at increased bleeding risk.

Low-dose aspirin (75-100 mg orally daily) should not be administered on a routine basis for the primary prevention of ASCVD among adults >70 years of age.

Low-dose aspirin (75-100 mg orally daily) should not be administered for the primary prevention of ASCVD among adults of any age who are at increased risk of bleeding.

In other words, taking a low-dose aspirin every day to prevent a heart attack or stroke is no longer recommended for most older adults, according to the guidelines. After doctors have almost universally proclaimed for decades that a daily dose of 75 to 100 milligrams of aspirin could prevent cardiovascular problems, while at the same time presenting minimal risk, this represents a startling about face.

The Guidelines went on to state that whereas low-dose aspirin was no longer recommended, lifestyle changes were. Some of the key lifestyle recommendations include engaging in regular exercise (at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity each week); aiming for and maintaining a healthy weight; avoiding tobacco (including vaping or second-hand smoke); and eating healthier.

In a simultaneous statement, also published by the American College of Cardiology, Roger S. Blumenthal, MD, co-chair of the 2019 Guidelines, said, “The most important way to prevent cardiovascular disease … is by adopting heart healthy habits and to do so over one’s lifetime. More than 80 percent of all cardiovascular events are preventable through lifestyle changes, yet we often fall short in terms of implementing these strategies and controlling other risk factors.”

This is exactly what we advocate at Whitaker’s Natural Market – improve your diet and lifestyle, include supporting supplements, and eliminate chemicals and toxins from your home and personal use.  So be sure to realize that there are many reasons to improving your diet and lifestyle!