Aspirin Alternatives

As always, check with your doctor before trying these aspirin alternatives.

Okay, the show of hands.

Who’s taking aspirin as a blood-thinning medication to prevent a heart attack or stroke? Or as a drug to reduce pain and inflammation?

A lot of us are. The fact is, aspirin can help, and you’ve got no alternative but to take it, right?

Well, yes and no.

Aspirin may be a perfectly fine over-the-counter drug for you for now, but over time it can actually hurt you.

Let me explain.
 

Ongoing Aspirin Use Comes With Significant Health Risks

If you've had a heart attack or stroke, your doctor will likely recommend you take aspirin as a drug to reduce your risk of blood clots, unless you’re allergic or have a history of bleeding. And if you have a high risk of having a first heart attack, your doctor will likely recommend aspirin as a treatment after weighing the risks and benefits.

Other reasons you may be told to take aspirin are because:

• You’ve had a stent placed in a coronary artery
• You’ve had coronary bypass surgery
• You have chest pain due to coronary artery disease (angina)
• You’re diabetic and have at least one other heart disease risk factor such as smoking or high blood pressure
• You're a man older than 50, or a woman older than 60
   

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You may also be taking aspirin to reduce pain and inflammation, such as for arthritis or gout.

And while you’re smart to look after yourself, I’d be remiss to not let you know that ongoing aspirin use can cause serious problems, including:

• Liver damage
• Internal bleeding
• Kidney problems

Over 6% of patients who regularly take aspirin wind up hospitalized. And in the U.S. alone over 15,000 people die each year from aspirin!
 

Natural Aspirin Alternatives

Given the risks of regularly taking aspirin, I want to offer you some natural alternatives that support your health and are without risk of serious side effects. Once you’ve talked with your doctor, consider adding these items to your health regimen.
 

Alternatives for heart and overall vascular health:

#1 Cod Liver Oil

Cod liver oil has a perfect balance of vitamins A and D, meaning you get a two-for-one benefit when you take it. Both vitamins are fat soluble; that is, they can penetrate the membranes of your cells to go directly inside and manipulate the DNA.

Not only is cod liver oil good for your heart, but it’s a natural blood thinner that can help with a heart attack or stroke prevention. It’s also a powerful immune system booster.

If you decide to try cod liver oil, make sure it’s an unprocessed, raw supplement to ensure you’re getting the most benefit from the oil. Though it’s more expensive, it’s better quality and is more bio-available to your body.

#2 Vitamin E combined with Vitamin C

Vitamin E supports a healthy heart and is helpful for treating angina. But make sure you use a natural source rather than synthetic. Though you may have come across studies showing that vitamin E causes heart disease, if you read the fine print you’ll discover that synthetic vitamin E is the culprit; it does nothing to prevent or treat heart disease.

When you combine vitamin E with vitamin C, you are giving a significant boost to your vascular health. As always, make sure it’s a natural, food-based vitamin C and not synthetic.
 

Alternatives for pain and inflammation:

#1 Cod Liver Oil

Cod liver oil is an excellent anti-inflammatory (in addition to the benefits I listed above). Be sure to choose an unprocessed, raw supplement to ensure you’re getting the most benefit from the oil. Though it’s more expensive, it’s better quality and is more bio-available to your body.

#2 Stinging Nettle Root

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Stinging nettle root is a powerful natural anti-inflammatory herb with no side effects. It can give you temporary relief from the pain of several conditions, including:

• Arthritis
• Hives
• Sinus problems
• Auto-immune conditions

Stinging nettle root is hands down my favorite natural aspirin alternative!

But remember, you also need to correct the cause of the inflammation, which is often high levels of sugar and Fat Storing Hormone in your body.

Which brings me to my next point.

#3 Intermittent Fasting and Keto

The combination of a ketogenic diet with intermittent fasting will drop inflammation faster than anything else I’ve found.

A high fat, moderate protein, low carb way of eating - in other words, keto - will reduce your blood glucose and Fat Storing Hormone levels. Combine keto with intermittent fasting to reinforce the reduction of your Fat Storing Hormone and blood sugar levels and potentially eliminate the root cause of inflammation you’re suffering from.

#4 Potassium

Potassium can be especially helpful if you have inflammation from gout or rheumatoid arthritis.

Because you need 4,700mg per day of potassium, make sure you consume between 7-10 cups of vegetables daily. In addition, you may want to get a good quality potassium supplement - maybe electrolyte powder - to further lower inflammation.
 

Are You Ready To Try These Aspirin Alternatives To Traditional Treatment?

Okay, you’ve checked in with your doctor, who’s given you two thumbs up on these natural aspirin alternatives.

You’re excited to get yourself off of regular aspirin with its risks of complications (and even death!). After all, this is your health, and you’ve decided to take more control.

You’ve done the research.

You’re feeling confident about your decision.

Now it’s time to take this next step as if your health depends on it - because it does.
 

Up Next:

• An Aspirin A Day Not So Fast
• Best Diet for Heart Disease or Heart Attack
• The Causes of Heart Palpitations