April Health News

1.  Daily Aspirin? Maybe Not.

A 2012 survey, reported in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, showed more than half of the adults in the survey used daily aspirin for prevention of various conditions such as stroke, cardiovascular disease (CVD), cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease.  Most of them were taking baby aspirin (81mg) and the majority for prevention of heart attacks.  Surprisingly, 20% respondents with a history of heart attack or stroke did not use aspirin regularly.

Because Aspirin, even at the “baby” aspirin dosage, can lead to serious side effects such as internal bleeding, the FDA does not recommend daily use for preventive purposes without a consultation from a primary care doctor.  Patients should seek advice from their primary care doctor who should recommend aspirin only in patients with high risk factors, after taking in consideration all risks and benefits.

2. FDA Warning on Tri-Methyl Xtreme 

Tri-Methyl Xtreme is a diet supplement containing an anabolic steroid for muscle growth.  The FDA has warned consumers to stop using this supplement which can cause serious liver damage.  Anabolic steroids also can lead to other serious complications such as heart attack, stroke, masculinization of women, male infertility, breast enlargement, short stature in children as well as psychiatric side effects. 

Tri-Methyl Xtreme can be found on the internet, gyms and some retail stores.   

Reference: MRP website.  Visit FDA.gov. or call (888)463-6332

3.  Another confirmation: MMR Vaccine Does NOT Increase Autism Risk 

Almost the entire scientific community has, long ago, come to understand through careful analysis of research that the MMR vaccine has no link to autism risk.  However, a small but vocal percentage of the public along with a few physicians and a celebrity or two remain unconvinced.  Perhaps the recent study published in JAMA on April 21^st will put to rest this pseudo-controversy.

Data on almost 100,000 children with older siblings – some with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and some without ASD – were reviewed.  There was no association whatsoever found between MMR vaccination and increased risk for ASD even in the subgroup whose older sibling had ASD.  These findings support prior research conclusions that there is not a harmful association between receipt of the MMR vaccine and ASD and add the finding of no increased risk of ASD even in children at higher risk.

For more information, see the study: JAMA. 2015;313(15):1534-1540. doi:10.1001/jama.2015.3077.Autism Occurrence by MMR Vaccine Status Among US Children With Older Siblings With and Without Autism

Anjali Jain, MD; Jaclyn Marshall, MS; Ami Buikema, MPH; Tim Bancroft, PhD; Jonathan P. Kelly, MPP; Craig J. Newschaffer, PhD