Aspirin: Much More Than Just a Painkiller

As a naturopathic practitioner, I often get asked by clients about natural remedies for pain, inflammation, and the various ways these issues show up in the body.  While there are many natural remedies I recommend, there’s one solution that often surprises people – aspirin.

Many people know aspirin for its ability to relieve headaches or thin blood, but it does so much more than that. Aspirin has been shown to support everything from cancer prevention to mental health and even acts as a brain booster. Best of all, it’s safe, affordable, and easily accessible. Here’s why aspirin, when used correctly, can be a powerful tool for managing not just pain and inflammation, but a range of health conditions.

Aspirin and Longevity

One of the most impressive things about aspirin is its ability to help people live longer. Studies show that it can lower the risk of death from all causes, offering broad protective effects on the body.

Aspirin also helps with insulin resistance, which is a key factor in many diseases. Here are some of the ways it benefits the body:

• Improves glucose (sugar) metabolism
• Lowers blood sugar levels
• Reduces insulin levels
• Improves inflammation markers

A History of Treating Diabetes

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, doctors discovered that aspirin could help with diabetes. At the time, one of the biggest signs of diabetes was sugar being released in the urine, which showed that the body wasn’t controlling blood sugar properly.

Normally, the body keeps blood sugar levels under control by using insulin to move sugar from the blood into cells for energy. However, in people with diabetes, this process doesn’t work properly, so excess sugar stays in the blood and eventually gets filtered out by the kidneys into the urine.

Doctors found that aspirin could stop this from happening, which was a major breakthrough. It showed that aspirin could help control blood sugar levels and opened up new possibilities for using aspirin to treat other health issues related to metabolism.

Aspirin Lowers Stress

One of aspirin’s key benefits is its ability to reduce stress. Many people report feeling calmer and sleeping better after taking it. This is likely because aspirin lowers cortisol, the body’s main stress hormone. It also reduces cortisol levels during stressful situations, which can help you avoid feeling overwhelmed or exhausted after exercise or a long day.

Aspirin even affects another hormone, prolactin, which can cause a feeling of lethargy and low motivation in men after certain activities. By suppressing prolactin, aspirin may help with energy and mood.

Mood and Brain Function

Speaking of mood, aspirin has been shown to improve depression. In one study, more than half of the patients saw their symptoms cut in half within just a week of taking aspirin. It also works as a nootropic, meaning it can boost brain function. By lowering high serotonin levels in the brain, it helps reduce the risk of neurological issues like dementia. In fact, studies show aspirin can cut the risk of dementia by over 50%.

Nootropics like aspirin can:

• Improve blood flow, glucose, and oxygen supply to the brain
• Protect the brain from damage
• Help produce important brain proteins
• Improve how the body handles stress
• Increase levels of brain chemicals like dopamine and acetylcholine, which are important for focus and motivation

Aspirin also boosts BDNF, a protein that helps grow new brain cells and improve memory and thinking skills. It’s even effective in preventing and treating migraines.

If you’re feeling tired, aspirin can help with that too. It boosts energy production in the body’s mitochondria, the “powerhouses” of our cells, especially at low doses (like baby aspirin). Aspirin’s main ingredient, salicylic acid, also protects mitochondria from wearing down over time.

Aspirin can also help reduce estrogen levels. It works as an aromatase inhibitor, which means it blocks the enzyme that produces estrogen. High levels of estrogen can lead to problems like love handles and that “tired but wired” feeling. Taking just 100 mg a day (a bit more than a baby aspirin) can help manage these effects.

This is the aspirin powder I use, it is PURE and not full of additives like many commercial brands you see in the store. These additives may in fact be why aspirin gets
a bad rep to begin with. https://healthnatura.com/aspirin-powder.

Why Aspirin Works So Well

Why is aspirin so effective for so many things? It works on basic pathways that affect our health, including how our body produces energy and manages inflammation. It reduces prostaglandins, which are substances that cause pain, stress, and inflammation. Prostaglandins also release fat into the bloodstream, which can contribute to insulin resistance and organ damage. Aspirin counters these negative effects.

Aspirin can also protect against oxidative damage, which is a key process in many diseases. It’s especially helpful for people who have consumed a lot of unhealthy fats, like seed oils, over time. In a recent study, aspirin was shown to combat fatty liver disease, which is becoming more common.

Aspirin even has antibacterial and antifungal properties, helping to fight off stubborn infections like candida.

While aspirin is amazing, there are some precautions. Many of the risks associated with aspirin, like stomach bleeding, are often due to additives found in low-quality brands. Using a pure form of aspirin and dissolving it in water or taking it with glycine and baking soda can reduce the risk of gut issues. It’s also important to stick to low doses to avoid side effects.

Final Thoughts

Aspirin is an incredible medicine with benefits that extend far beyond pain relief. It can improve mood, brain function, energy levels, and overall health. However, like any medication, it’s essential to use a high-quality version and follow safety guidelines to minimize potential risks, such as stomach irritation or other side effects. For the best results, opt for pure aspirin powder, dissolve it in water, and consider adding glycine or baking soda to protect the stomach lining.

It’s also important to manage dosing carefully. Higher doses could lead to other health problems, so using a small, measured amount is key. The pure aspirin powder referenced above is fast-acting and comes with a tiny measuring spoon to ensure low dosing. Although it doesn’t dissolve well in water, it’s most effective when taken this way. For anyone concerned about stomach issues, following these suggestions with glycine and baking soda can offer added protection for the gastric lining. When used responsibly, aspirin can be a powerful tool for improving both physical and mental well-being.