The raison d'etre of this website is to provide you with hard scientific information which may help you make informed decisions in your quest for health (so far I have blogged concise summaries of over 1,500 scientific studies and have had three books published).

My research is mainly focused on the effects of cholesterol, saturated fat and statin drugs on health. If you know anyone who is worried about their cholesterol levels and heart disease, or has been told to take statin drugs you could send them a link to this website, and to my statin or cholesterol or heart disease books.

David Evans

Independent Health Researcher

Thursday 6 May 2010

Does aspirin increase the risk of heart disease and stroke?

This post includes a summary of a study published in the British Medical Journal 2008;337:a1840 and a recipe for crock pot pork-stuffed peppers.

Study title and authors:
The prevention of progression of arterial disease and diabetes (POPADAD) trial: factorial randomised placebo controlled trial of aspirin and antioxidants in patients with diabetes and asymptomatic peripheral arterial disease
The Side Effects Bible: The Dietary Solution to Unwanted Side Effects of Common Medications
Books:
Jill Belch, professor of vascular medicine, Angus MacCuish, consultant diabetologist
Institute of Cardiovascular Research, University of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee DD1 9SY

This study can be accessed at: http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/337/oct16_2/a1840

The objective of the study was to determine whether aspirin and antioxidant therapy are more effective than placebo in reducing the development of cardiovascular events in patients with diabetes and peripheral arterial disease. The study involved 1,276 aged 40 or more with diabetes who were assigned aspirin, antioxidants or placebo.

The study found;
(a) There was a 23% increased risk of coronary heart disease or stroke in those who took aspirin compared to those who did not take aspirin.
(b) There was a 21% increased risk of coronary heart disease or stroke in those who took antioxidants compared to those who did not take antioxidants.

This study demostated aspirin or antioxidants had no favourable effects in the prevention of heart disease.

More information on this subject: Books : Scientific Studies : Other Websites : Videos : Food Mall 


Recipe of the day

Crock Pot Pork-Stuffed Peppers

Ingredients:
Organic Berkshire Pork Sampler - 8 Chops, 2 Sirloins and Ground (5 pound) by igourmet.com
Food Mall: Pork
■2 pounds ground pork
■4 large green peppers
■1 large onion
■2 carrots
■4 cloves of garlic
■1/2 head of cauliflower
■6 ounce can of tomato paste
■1 tablespoon dry oregano
■1 tablespoon dry or fresh tarragon
■Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:
Cut the tops of the peppers and clean the seeds out.

Arrange peppers in the Crock-Pot standing up and make sure they fit securely.

Grate onion, carrots, garlic and cauliflower in the food processor. You can also just chop them into small pieces with a knife if you don’t have a food processor.

In a big bowl, combine ground pork, shredded vegetables, seasonings and tomato paste.

Add salt and pepper to taste. Stuff the peppers with the mixture and arrange leftover meat between the peppers. Add half a cup of water, cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours.

If you don’t have a slow-cooker, the dish can be cooked in the oven, covered, for 1-2 hours.