NSAIDs shown to slow progression of Barrett's...

Caught this study via the NYT health page today, and thought it worth a look.


(I'm unfortunately allergic to NSAIDs, but I thought I'd share for folks who can pop them without getting hives.)


http://www.plosgenetics.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pgen.1003553

I do wonder how they managed the study when most people with GERD can't tolerate Aspirin!!

MMM

Just doing some quick research to see how much Salicylate is in various types of food.

There are numerous sites on-line for those who are intolerant, allergic or oversensitive to Salicylate but not many for those who are looking for benefit from dietary salicylate.

This site has some figures on Sal. content, originally from Australia in 1985,

http://www.campin.me.uk/Food/salicylate.html

Quantities are in milligrams per 100 grams.

e.g.  Fresh strawberry       1.36 mg/100g 

======= 

This article mentions a daily dose of 75mg Aspirin has been used in clinical trials,

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/12/opinion/the-2000-year-old-wonder-drug.html?_r=0

"In 2011, British researchers, analyzing data from some 25,000 patients in eight long-term studies, found that a small, 75-milligram dose of aspirin taken daily for at least five years reduced the risk of dying from common cancers by 21 percent. "

To get the same benefit as one 75mg Aspirin from eating strawberries you would need to eat approx. 5.5kg [over 10lb]! (Edit- Figures altered, as I had got my decimal point in the wrong place)

So we would need to focus on those foods with the highest content of salicylates if we wish to increase our intake through diet alone.

Spices seem a likely contender, and I already take 1x400mg capsule of turmeric twice a day. From the site linked above...

Spices
======

Some spices can be extraordinarily high in salicylate, but are eaten
in such small quantities this is not often relevant.  Those that might
matter are: [mg/100g]

Cumin           45.0 powder
Curry          218.0 powder
Dill             6.9 fresh
Dill            94.4 powder
Garam masala    66.8 powder
Ginger           4.5 fresh
Mixed herbs     55.6 dried
Oregano         66.0 dried
Paprika, hot   203.0 powder
Thyme          183.0 dried
Turmeric        76.4 powder

I'm not sure I fancy eating nearly 100g of turmeric at one meal time!

I wonder what the minimum dose of Aspirin would be required for the same protective effect? I would guess that those with a lower BMI could take a smaller dose?

Still, this is good food for thought.

cheers all

phil

Edit btw maths is not my strongest subject, could someone check the figures to see if I have my decimal point in the correct place. Thanks

Post Edited (phil-uk) : 7/7/2013 2:37:10 AM (GMT-6)

Caseysmom, You are right to point out the potential side effects.

But we are talking here about very low doses. The research mentions 75mg/day for chemopreventative effect, whereas when used as a painkiller/anti-inflammatory each tablet is 300-325mg, taken up to four times a day. [up to 1300mg/day, 17x the 75mg used as a preventative dose]
As pointed out in the above post, the dose from dietary Salicylate is likely to be even less.

Edit, there is a long term trial in the UK called 'AspECT'. This is comparing a number of different pharmaceutical strategies, including omeprazole/aspirin. This is now due to produce some interim findings.

http://www.octo-oxford.org.uk/alltrials/infollowup/aspect.html

Post Edited (phil-uk) : 7/7/2013 4:10:41 AM (GMT-6)

Teacherman, really, you should talk to your GP/Primary Doc about dosage.

You could google the AspECT trial, to get more info. I think they are using standard Aspirin tablets at 300 or 325mg.

Phil

Just saw my GI and asked about the daily aspirin. He said there is a wonderful study currently underway in England with about 11,ooo patients. He said they are testing at about 350 mg. of aspirin. but it is showing that it stops Barrett's in its track. Well, that is what they are hoping as I am. He said it looks promising. He said the 81 mg should be good.
I also got my impedance tests back. It was very good. I have very very low acid. He said the level would not harm me when refluxing. Not even close. The meds are working. I did the 48 hour bravo about 6 months ago and that too was a score of 1 out of 14. Very few reflux episodes. So why do I have Barrett'? either way, I asked his patholog dept. to look at my old slide from my original endoscopy. I had a small length. He Sid his pathology dept. would look t it and he would personally look at it as well. I had it ablated but it would be nice to find out I never had it???? Small odds but worth Try.
Aalto, spoke to him about the odds of EC after my ablation. He said I no longer have Barrett's. it's gone. My 0.16 odds over 16 years is actually less. Since I don't drink my odds are even better. Interesting all docs say heavy drinkers don't fair well with this cancer stuff. Also, since I don't have belly fat my odds are 50to 60 percent better. Something about belly fat and cancer, he said there mught be a connection. Not just the weight pushing down but more with the cells interaction. So my .016 is cut in half or more wich leaves my with a .08 or better and that is a near 0 chance of it returning. He said I could eat more and try different foods as the acid is not high. That will be nice. I can also lower my bed and try to sleep flat when I am feeling good. Not all Barrett's patients can do this. Long length need to be raised.
With that said I will be taking a break from my Internet blogging on the subject. I will check in from time to time and will post one last post on all the interventions that have worked for me in the last year. Last year at this time I was in horrible pain that lasted til January then it was intermittent and bothersome because its so scary. Good luck to all. And thank you for your help. I sure wish I knew about this site earlier than I found it.

Purely anecdotal, but an interesting and relevant story.

On discussing health matters with a client, [of mine] he mentioned that his heart doctor had taken him off Warfarin and put him on to a low dose of Aspirin instead [as anti-coagulation therapy]. I was then quite surprised when he said that his consultant had also added Omeprazole to counteract stomach problems that may be due to the Aspirin.

Post Edited (phil-uk) : 7/12/2013 11:36:42 AM (GMT-6)