INTERESTING TIMES

Dr Lawrence was recommending just about everyone get on low dose aspirin because of its cancer preventative effects. I hadn't heard that, so I just googled it (scholar) and found this review of 91 studies that shows a strong anti-cancer effect in many common cancers. In my current schooling NSAIDS are considered evil because they are hard on the intestine and kidneys. Specifically they can cause a breakdown of the gut lining that leads to immune dysregulation and even autoimmune disease. But as with coffee, the evil is balanced with the good: the lesson I take from this new information is that moderation is the key. No point in overreacting to any one piece of information, no point in being a tee-totaller or a total obsessive nutcase about your intakes.

( abstract )

What is arachidonic acid? It's a 20 carbon fatty acid that is unsaturated in four places. It is also known as eicosatetraenoic acid. 20:4 delta 4, 8, 11, 14. It's a precursor to local (autocrine & paracrine) signalling molecules known as Eicosanoids.
( procrastinating on microbiology )