Aspirin is a staple in drugs cupboards worldwide, identified primarily for its pain-relieving and anti inflammatory properties. Nonetheless, latest analysis is shedding mild on a probably game-changing position for this frequent remedy: most cancers prevention and therapy.1
Whereas aspirin’s anticancer properties have been hinted at in numerous research over time,2 this perform has largely been ignored in favor of newer, costlier medication. Now, groundbreaking experiments aren’t solely reaffirming aspirin’s potential in combating most cancers but additionally uncovering a stronger analog that would revolutionize our method to most cancers therapy.
This forgotten perform of aspirin, and its much more highly effective cousin, could supply new hope within the battle in opposition to one in every of humanity’s most persistent well being challenges. Let’s discover the thrilling developments which can be inflicting researchers to take a recent have a look at this acquainted drug.
Aspirin and Most cancers: Introducing 2,6-Dihydroxybenzoic Acid
In my interview with Georgi Dinkov, above, he discusses his experiments with mice utilizing a mix of B nutritional vitamins — B1, B3 and B7 — and aspirin to fight a extremely deadly type of human mantle cell lymphoma. He discovered that whereas the nutritional vitamins alone stopped tumor progress, including aspirin at a human-equivalent dose of about 1.5 grams per day led to finish tumor regression in all three take a look at topics.
Constructing on the success with aspirin, Dinkov launched a stronger analog of aspirin referred to as 2,6-dihydroxybenzoic acid. Not solely is it a lot stronger, it’s additionally rather more lipophilic, that means it has a higher affinity for lipids (fat) than water. Lipophilic compounds are typically extra simply absorbed by cell membranes.
Dinkov explains the theoretical foundation for utilizing this compound, which relies on decreasing intracellular pH to induce most cancers cell loss of life:3
“One in every of Ray [Peat]’s foremost theories was that … most cancers cells … [are] metabolically dysfunctional, everyone knows that, and usually a cell like that commits apoptosis. However so as to commit apoptosis, that mechanism is managed nearly completely by the intracellular pH. And to ensure that apoptosis to happen, it must be within the acidic vary.
However the most cancers cells are alkaline on account of exporting lactate and hydrogen ions. So, if something can drop the intracellular pH, these most cancers cells, as a result of they’re deranged, ought to truly disappear by themselves.
And one in every of Peat’s recommendations on the time was, ‘Why don’t you utilize the drug acetazolamide?’ which as a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, will increase carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is acidic, after which that ought to enable most cancers cells to commit apoptosis.
There are some research in vitro and in vivo exhibiting that acetazolamide may fit, however it didn’t actually treatment the tumors. It was a slower progress, partial regression, however it confirmed that the thought was heading in the right direction.
So, I stated, ‘Let’s discover one thing that’s rather more acidic than carbon dioxide.’ And that’s this 2,6-dihydroxybenzoic acid, which is only one additional hydroxyl group on prime of aspirin. Salicylic acid, actually, which is 2-hydroxybenzoic acid. After which this factor is about 10 occasions stronger than aspirin.”
Observe-up research have yielded promising outcomes, with tumors regressing after one week. Dinkov notes that 2,6-dihydroxybenzoic acid is, “Freely obtainable. No patent, nothing on it. Fairly just a few research again within the day, however actually a really generic molecule … Grime low-cost, too. Cheaper than aspirin.”4
Simply as aspirin was developed from a pure supply (willow bark), different pure compounds, together with these derived from the leaves of the medicinal plant Lithraea molleoides,5 additionally present cytotoxic results, including to the rising physique of proof that plant-derived compounds can have important anticancer potential. Compounds remoted from Mangifera zeylanica, a species of mango tree native to Sri Lanka, even have cytotoxic and apoptotic results.6
Aspirin-Vitamin C Mixture Treats Strong Tumors Higher Than Chemo
Whereas analysis suggests 2,6-dihydroxybenzoic acid may very well be a promising software in opposition to most cancers, aspirin additionally exhibits immense promise. Your physique could profit much more when aspirin is mixed with vitamin C, which additionally has antitumor results. Current research have proven that this mixture will be simpler in opposition to most cancers cells whereas remaining gentler on wholesome cells in comparison with standard chemotherapy medication like doxorubicin.7
In laboratory assessments, the aspirin-vitamin C mixture confirmed a powerful cytotoxic impact on liver most cancers cells however was a lot much less dangerous to regular lung cells.8 This selectivity is essential for decreasing the unwanted side effects related to most cancers therapies. The synergy between these two frequent substances seems to boost their particular person anticancer properties, providing a safer different to harsh chemotherapies.
The potential of aspirin and vitamin C extends past the lab, with encouraging leads to animal research. When examined on rats with chemically induced liver most cancers, the mix remedy confirmed outstanding outcomes.9 After 90 days of therapy, the livers of handled rats had important enchancment in each look and performance.
Importantly, a lot of the liver tissue appeared regular below microscopic examination. This mix remedy outperformed doxorubicin in restoring liver well being and decreasing tumor markers.
Aspirin Works Synergistically with Vitamin C
In one other research, the mix of aspirin, often known as acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), and vitamin C, or ascorbate (AS), confirmed superior leads to shrinking tumors in comparison with both compound alone.10 When mice with strong tumors have been handled with the mix, their tumor quantity decreased by 46%, versus 40% with ASA alone and 36% with AS alone.
This synergistic impact seemingly stems from combining aspirin’s anti-inflammatory properties with vitamin C’s potent antioxidant capabilities. The 2 compounds seem to work collectively to create a extra hostile setting for most cancers cells, impeding their progress and proliferation.
By attacking tumors by a number of mechanisms concurrently, the aspirin-vitamin C mixture could overcome a few of the diversifications most cancers cells usually develop to evade single-compound therapies.
Past simply shrinking tumors, the aspirin-vitamin C mixture considerably prolonged survival occasions and appeared to enhance general well being within the tumor-bearing mice. Mice handled with the mix survived a mean of 93.5 days, in comparison with simply 54 days for untreated tumor-bearing mice — a 73% improve in lifespan.11
The mix additionally outperformed both compound alone in normalizing numerous biomarkers of liver, kidney and coronary heart perform that had been disrupted by the most cancers. Notably, the mix was capable of improve hemoglobin ranges, probably assuaging the anemia usually related to most cancers.
These enhancements in organ perform and blood parameters counsel the aspirin-vitamin C therapy could have wide-ranging advantages for general well being and high quality of life, past simply its antitumor results.
A key mechanism behind the aspirin-vitamin C mixture’s results seems to be its highly effective modulation of oxidative stress and irritation within the physique. The research discovered that tumor-bearing mice had considerably elevated ranges of oxidative stress markers like malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO), together with depleted antioxidant defenses.
Therapy with aspirin and vitamin C dramatically reversed these imbalances, reducing MDA and NO whereas boosting complete antioxidant capability, glutathione and catalase exercise. By making a much less inflammatory, much less oxidative setting within the physique, the mix could make it more durable for most cancers cells to thrive and unfold.
This rebalancing of the redox state might have far-reaching results all through the physique, probably explaining the enhancements seen in a number of organ programs. The research’s findings underscore the significance of addressing persistent irritation and oxidative stress as a part of a complete method to most cancers therapy and prevention.
Aspirin’s Promising Function in Colorectal Most cancers Prevention
Aspirin might also considerably scale back the danger of colorectal most cancers (CRC), one of many main causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Research have proven that taking at the least 75 milligrams (mg) of aspirin each day for a number of years can lower each the incidence and mortality of CRC.12
Curiously, the helpful impact seems to be most pronounced for proximal colon cancers, that are usually more durable to forestall by commonplace screening strategies like colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy. Lengthy-term aspirin use, significantly for over 20 years, has been related to a outstanding 35% discount in CRC incidence.13
These findings counsel that incorporating low-dose aspirin into your long-term well being technique might supply important safety in opposition to this frequent type of most cancers.
Past its preventive results, aspirin might also enhance outcomes for these already identified with colorectal most cancers. Analysis signifies that common aspirin use after a CRC prognosis is linked to decreased dangers of each general and CRC-specific mortality. This profit seems to be significantly pronounced in tumors that overexpress cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2).14 Furthermore, aspirin’s protecting results aren’t restricted to colorectal most cancers alone.
Research have proven that long-term aspirin use can scale back the 20-year danger of loss of life from any most cancers by 20%, with an much more substantial 35% discount in gastrointestinal most cancers deaths.15 These findings counsel that in case you’re at elevated danger for most cancers or have already been identified, aspirin use may very well be a useful a part of your therapy and prevention technique.
Research counsel aspirin could assist suppress tumor progress, scale back metastasis and even improve the effectiveness of different most cancers therapies.16 This multi-pronged method makes aspirin a very promising agent within the battle in opposition to colorectal most cancers. For people at greater danger of CRC, akin to these with a historical past of colorectal neoplasia or genetic predisposition, aspirin could supply much more promise.
A scientific evaluation of research involving folks with earlier colorectal neoplasia discovered a non-statistically important discount in superior neoplasia with low-dose aspirin use.17 Moreover, for carriers of Lynch syndrome genes, high-dose aspirin for 2 years was related to a decreased danger of colorectal most cancers.18
People with Lynch syndrome have a considerably greater lifetime danger of creating colorectal most cancers. The Nationwide Institute for Well being and Care Excellence recommends sufferers identified with Lynch Syndrome start each day aspirin remedy to scale back the danger of colorectal most cancers.19
Aspirin’s Broad Most cancers-Combating Potential
Analyses of long-term cardiovascular trials have additionally revealed aspirin’s surprising energy in combating most cancers throughout a number of websites.20 Research present important reductions in deaths from esophageal and abdomen cancers amongst long-term aspirin customers, and knowledge point out it might additionally decrease your danger of lung, prostate and breast cancers.
Maybe most fun is the potential for a 20% to 30% discount in general most cancers incidence after simply three to 5 years of each day low-dose aspirin use.21 Additional, research persistently present that low doses — as little as 75 mg to 100 mg each day — are simply as efficient as greater doses in decreasing most cancers danger.22
The effectiveness of low-dose regimens additionally factors to a singular mechanism of motion. Quite than straight affecting tissues all through your physique, aspirin may fit by inhibiting platelets, which play an important position in each early most cancers improvement and later metastasis.23 Whereas some advantages of aspirin use could seem inside just a few years, different reductions in most cancers danger emerge with long-term use.
Research monitoring individuals for 20 years or extra have discovered that aspirin’s protecting results in opposition to gastrointestinal cancers turn into extra pronounced over time. For colorectal most cancers, important reductions in incidence and mortality have been noticed 10 to twenty years after the beginning of aspirin use.24 This long-lasting impact means that aspirin could also be altering basic processes in most cancers improvement, providing enduring safety in opposition to this illness.
Aspirin’s potential as a repurposed drug for most cancers remedy is one other thrilling space of analysis.25 Aspirin works by inhibiting COX enzymes, significantly COX-1 and COX-2. This mechanism not solely helps forestall coronary heart assaults however might also fight most cancers in a number of methods. By inhibiting COX-1, aspirin reduces platelet aggregation round tumor cells, making these malignant cells extra seen to your immune system.26 This might assist forestall most cancers from spreading all through your physique.
Moreover, aspirin’s impact on COX-2 could straight influence tumor progress. COX-2 produces prostaglandin E2, which stimulates tumor cell progress. By decreasing prostaglandin E2 manufacturing, aspirin might sluggish or forestall tumor improvement.27
The way forward for aspirin in most cancers prevention could lie in personalised drugs. Rising analysis has recognized a number of genetic markers that would assist predict who will profit most from aspirin remedy. For instance, sure variations in genes like UGT1A6 and ALOX12 have been related to enhanced aspirin efficacy in decreasing colorectal most cancers danger.28
Moreover, your expression ranges of enzymes like 15-PGDH could affect how nicely you reply to aspirin’s cancer-fighting properties.29 These genetic insights open up thrilling prospects for tailoring aspirin use to your particular person genetic profile. Within the coming years, genetic testing might turn into a routine a part of figuring out whether or not aspirin is best for you and at what dose.
Willow Bark: Nature’s Time-Examined Ache Reliever
For these with aspirin sensitivity, salicylic acid or willow bark dietary supplements could also be alternate options value contemplating. While you eat aspirin, your physique converts the acetylsalicylic acid into salicylic acid, which is accountable for aspirin’s anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antithrombotic properties. Willow bark naturally accommodates this compound.
This historic medicinal plant carries with it centuries of therapeutic knowledge, providing a compelling different to fashionable prescription drugs. Willow bark’s efficacy stems from its long-standing relationship with human physiology. Not like laboratory-created medication, the lively compounds in willow bark have been interacting with our biochemistry for hundreds of years.
This prolonged coexistence has fostered a pure compatibility that many manmade drugs wrestle to attain.
Our ancestors’ constant, albeit minimal, consumption of those compounds over generations has allowed our our bodies to develop an environment friendly technique of processing and using them. This evolutionary adaptation underscores the potential benefits of pure cures over their artificial counterparts. Additional, analysis means that a few of willow bark’s therapeutic properties are on account of synergistic results,30 providing advantages past these of salicylic acid alone.
The pharmaceutical business’s improvement of aspirin within the nineteenth century marked a big shift from nature-based to laboratory-derived drugs.31 Whereas this transition led to the creation of a patentable product, it did not essentially enhance upon the unique supply materials. Actually, the enduring recognition of willow bark serves as a testomony to the facility of plant-based cures.
For these contemplating willow bark as a substitute for aspirin, significantly people with aspirin sensitivity, understanding correct dosage is essential. Whereas willow bark and aspirin share comparable lively compounds, their metabolism and bioavailability differ, necessitating distinct dosing methods.
So, whereas 240 mg to 600 mg of willow bark extract (15% salicin) is usually estimated to supply a salicin dose that’s roughly equal to 325 mg of aspirin, the overall quantity of willow bark extract wanted is usually bigger:
- To approximate the results of 81 mg of aspirin, a dose of 400 mg to 800 mg of willow bark extract (standardized to fifteen% salicin) is usually required.
- For results just like 111 mg of aspirin, a dose of 500 mg to 1 gram of willow bark extract (standardized to fifteen% salicin) is usually wanted.
Ideas for Aspirin Dosage and Period
When deciding on aspirin, select immediate-release formulations fairly than coated extended-release variations to keep away from pointless components. Rapid-release aspirin is obtainable on Amazon. Look at the inactive substances record fastidiously; ideally, corn starch must be the one additive listed.
After in depth analysis, I recognized a product assembly these specs. The suitable dosage ranges from 82 mg to 325 mg each day, taken together with your largest meal, relying in your particular person wants.
Based mostly on my analysis into aspirin’s preventive advantages, I personally take 111 mg each day utilizing Well being Natura’s USP grade 60 gram aspirin powder, which prices lower than $20. This 99% pure USP aspirin powder appeals to me on account of its prometabolic, antilipolytic, anti-inflammatory, anticortisol and anti-estrogen results. Its security profile is well-established.
In relation to most cancers prevention, the dosage and period of aspirin use seem like essential components. Low doses of aspirin (75 to 300 mg/day) have been proven to be as efficient as greater doses in decreasing CRC-related mortality,32 suggesting that you just need not take massive quantities to reap the potential advantages. Nonetheless, consistency and long-term use appear to be key.
Research point out that the advantages of aspirin improve with period of use, with essentially the most important reductions in most cancers danger noticed after 5 to 7.5 years of normal use.33 As analysis progresses, aspirin could show to be a strong new software in your most cancers prevention and therapy arsenal — one which’s been in your drugs cupboard all alongside.
