Aspirin Can Boost Your Risk of Stroke

By Al Sears, MD

Yesterday, my neighbor asked me if it was a good idea to take aspirin to avoid heart attacks and stroke. I responded with a question of my own: "Would you take a painkiller if you weren't in pain?"

TV commercials make it sound logical... but taking aspirin regularly just causes a new set of problems. What I call "the law of unintended consequences."

A new study published in Lancet Neurology found that older people who are taking aspirin "preventively" may be seven times more likely to have a stroke. The same researchers estimated that if the misuse of drugs like aspirin continues to increase, it may soon overtake high blood pressure as the leading cause of stroke in those over 75.

Instead of taking aspirin, take steps to lower your homocysteine levels. Your cells dump this "toxic waste" product into your bloodstream as they burn energy. Too much homocysteine is a serious health risk. In fact, homocysteine levels are a better predictor of heart disease - and stroke, by the way - than anything else, including cholesterol.

You can lower your homocysteine levels simply by supplementing with B vitamin. No harsh drugs are necessary. Here's what I recommend:

. Vitamin B6 - 75 mg daily

. Vitamin B12 - 400 mcg daily

. Folic Acid - 800 mcg daily

[Ed. Note: Dr. Sears is a practicing physician and an expert on heart health.]
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It's Good to Know: Using Bacteria to Store Data

Digital data is commonly stored on disks, computer chips, and hard drives. But Japanese scientists think they have found another format for storing text, music files, etc. - bacteria. Specifically, the researchers believe they can create different combinations of genetic codes in bacteria DNA to represent digital data (though they're still working on real-world applications and practical ways to access it).

The motivation? Information stored in bacteria will last longer and won't take up as much room.

(Source: Australian Associated Press)
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Word to the Wise: Stertorous

"Stertorous" (STUR-tuh-rus) - from the Latin for "to snore" - means characterized by heavy, hoarse breathing.

Example (as used by Josie Glausiusz in Discover): "As pianist Dezso Ranki pounds and weaves at the keys, his breathing is at times so stertorous one could swear that someone in the audience is snoring."

Michael Masterson
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These articles appear courtesy of Early to Rise [Issue #2083, 07-02-07], the Internet's most popular health, wealth, and success e-zine. For a complimentary subscription, visit http://www.earlytorise.com/.