We all know that aspirin can help when we have a headache or sore back. But studies show other benefits from this small, over-the-counter product.
According to an article on Yahoo Health, multiple studies have shown that 75 mg a day of aspirin can cut a person’s risk of colon cancer from 17 to 28 percent. It also reduces the risk of dying post-colon cancer diagnosis by 30 to 40 percent.
In older adults, one baby aspirin a day can protect memory and cognitive function. It can cut the risk of developing Alzheimer’s by 55 percent.
Aspirin is also good for the heart. According to the Mayo Clinic, aspirin adds to heart health by interfering with blood’s clotting action. While clotting can help stop bleeding at the site of wounds and cuts, it can also occur in blood vessels that can block arteries and proper blood flow. Aspirin helps reduce the platelet’s ability to clot and the risk of clots in blood vessels.
Many doctors do recommend a daily dose of aspirin for patients who:
- Have had a heart attack or stroke
- Have a family history of colon cancer
- Had a stent placed in a coronary artery, have had coronary bypass surgery, or have chest pain due to coronary artery disease (angina)
- Never had a heart attack but are at high risk of having one
- Are a man with diabetes older than 50, or a woman with diabetes older than 60
But it’s always best to check with your physician to make sure an aspirin regimen is right for you.