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                      Aspirin In Seniors- Macular Degeneration?

                      Published by Dr. Mark Rosenberg

                      Many of my patients are age 60 and over and as such they have specific health issues. One of their concerns is the healthcare of their eyes and preserving their vision. Recently, I became aware of a study published in Ophthalmology Magazine that warned of people over 60 developing a vision-affecting disease called wet-type macular degeneration.

                      The study found that people who regularly take aspirin for certain health issues had a doubled risk of developing blindness from wet-type ARMD (age-related macular degeneration).  I’d like to share this warning with you as I have my own patients to hopefully prevent anyone from damaging their vision by taking too much aspirin.  Also, I’d like to offer some natural alternatives that can have the same benefits as taking aspirin without the side effects.

                      What Is Age-Related Macular Degeneration?

                      Age-related macular degeneration usually affects people over the age of 65 and is the leading cause of blindness in that age group.  It affects the central vision areas of sight required for reading, driving, and just getting around in general.  Wet-type ARMD is the advanced form of the condition which develops when blood vessels start to grow beneath the macula of the eye (the retinal core).  These blood vessels than can leak blood from abnormal pressure and growth.   Other factors that place someone at greater risk for developing ARMD are:

                      • Age – people over age 60 have 30% greater risk of developing ARMD
                      • Smoking – thought to increase the risk of developing ARMD
                      • Obesity – research shows a link between obesity and development of ARMD
                      • Race – higher in Caucasian people
                      • Family history – one or more family members with the disease
                      • Diet – lack of eye protective nutrients

                      Aspirin Use in Seniors and ARMD

                      In the Copenhagen study that I mentioned above, the blood samples of 4,700 men and women over the age of 65 from several countries were looked at.  The study measured aspirin use, alcohol, smoking, stroke and heart attack history, blood pressure and socioeconomic status. In addition, the people were also monitored for ARMD.   It was found that the people who used aspirin on a daily basis had one-third more cases of late-stage ARMD than those people who did not take aspirin that regularly.  Many seniors take over-the-counter aspirin products daily for a number of health issues including:

                      • Blood-clot prevention
                      • Inflammation in joints
                      • Reduce risk of heart disease
                      • Pain (headaches, joint stiffness)

                      Even though aspirin can be bought over-the-counter without a prescription, it also carries some concerning side effects such as:

                      • Gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney and liver damage
                      • Blood thinning leading to excess bleeding and bruising after cuts or falls
                      • May block crucial antioxidant vitamin C by preventing its entry into cell membranes.

                      The researchers of the study cautioned that people who already have AMD should not take aspirin as a painkiller; also people with AMD, who have been advised to take aspirin for other health conditions (heart, arthritis, etc), should ask their doctor about continuing to take aspirin.  The researchers were also quick to point out that, even though the study showed an association between taking aspirin and ARMD, the study did not show direct cause/effect.

                      Natural Alternatives to Aspirin

                      Even though aspirin has some proven health benefits, I would rather my patients not be at even greater risk of developing wet-type ARMD from using it regularly.  Note of caution:  If you have been taking daily aspirin for specific health conditions, DO NOT abruptly stop as doing so can cause serious, adverse heart problems.  Ask your doctor to wean you off it safely. The following are natural products that have the same effects as aspirin without the side effects:

                      • Reduced risk of heart disease:  Garlic, natural Vitamin E, nattokinase, fish oil.
                      • Inflammation (arthritis, etc):  Bromelain, quercetin, fish oil, Vitamin D3, turmeric.
                      • Blood clot prevention:  Basil, dark chocolate cocoa (unsweetened, baking type), tomato extract (contains lycopene), gingko biloba.

                      Very occasional aspirin use can be beneficial, even life-saving.  Taking 2 regular aspirin at the first sign of a heart attack can help break up blood clots and greatly decrease the damage. However, the risks of regular, daily aspirin use may outweigh the benefits, especially when there are natural products available that I always encourage my patients to make use of first.

                      Stay Well,

                      Mark Rosenberg, M.D.

                      Share
                      Dr. Mark Rosenberg
                      Dr. Mark Rosenberg
                      Dr. Mark Rosenberg received his doctorate from Georgetown University School of Medicine in 1988 and has been involved with drug research since 1991. With numerous certifications in several different fields of medicine, psychology, healthy aging and fitness, Dr. Rosenberg has a wide breadth of experience in both the public and private sector with particular expertise in both the mechanism of cancer treatment failure and in treating obesity. He currently is researching new compounds to treat cancer and obesity, including receiving approval status for an investigational new drug that works with chemotherapy and a patent pending for an oral appetite suppressant. He is currently President of the Institute for Healthy Aging, Program Director of the Integrative Cancer Fellowship, and Chief Medical Officer of Rose Pharmaceuticals. His work has been published in various trade and academic journals. In addition to his many medical certifications, he also personally committed to physical fitness and is a certified physical fitness trainer.

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                      This website is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. FoodTrients – A Recipe for Aging Beautifully Grace O, author and creator of FoodTrients® -- a philosophy, a cookbook and a resource -- has a new cookbook dedicated to age-defying and delicious recipes, The Age Beautifully Cookbook: Easy and Exotic Longevity Secrets from Around the World, which provides one hundred-plus recipes that promote health and well-being. The recipes are built on foundations of modern scientific research and ancient knowledge of medicinal herbs and natural ingredients from around the world. Since the publication of her first anti-aging book, The Age GRACEfully Cookbook, Grace O has identified eight categories of FoodTrients benefits (Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Immune Booster, Disease Prevention, Beauty, Strength, Mind, and Weight Loss) that are essential to fighting aging, which show how specific foods, herbs, and spices in the recipes help keep skin looking younger, prevent the diseases of aging, and increase energy and vitality. Grace O combines more exotic ingredients that add age-fighting benefits to familiar recipe favorites.

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