I posted this study as many people are likely still confused and believe that a baby aspirin a day will prevent heart disease as this editorial strongly suggests. This is most curious as over one year ago the BMJ published a study and editorial that strongly suggested otherwise. There is also other evidence that aspirin should not be used to prevent heart disease as I posted over three years ago.

There is, however, a safer, healthier and more effective alternative to aspirin out there, and it's called CardioEssentials. This is an all-natural extract of the fermented soy food natto, which contains a powerful enzyme called Nattokinase. Nattokinase has been used safely for over two decades to help circulatory and other chronic health problems.

So what else can you do to help prevent heart disease?

Plenty. The simplest and the most profound thing you can do is take fish or cod liver oil, which will also reduce your risk of cancer and Alzheimer's disease. This is non-controversial, even in the traditional medical community. I have yet to see any traditional medical opposition to the use of fish oil to prevent heart disease.

Now is the time of year when people living in cooler climates will want to switch from fish oil to cod liver oil. The main difference between cod liver oil and fish oil is that cod liver oil is high in vitamin D. In warm weather months, the more intense sunshine allows your body to produce high and usually sufficient levels of vitamin D without any supplementation necessary. However, in cool weather when intense sun exposure is limited, your body will need more vitamin D, and so I recommend cod liver oil versus fish oil in cool weather months or climates.

I generally recommend that you take cod liver oil from autumn to early spring, and fish oil from late spring through the end of summer. However, those who live in more tropical environments with regular exposure to more intense sun will most likely be fine taking fish oil year round, as your vitamin D intake from the sun will be sufficient. If you aren't sure of what you should take, please have your vitamin D levels tested as it is possible to overdose on vitamin D.

When using fish oil or cod liver oil it is important to obtain a high-quality reputable brand. In my research--and in my clinical experience with my patients--I have found that:

1. The liquid form is superior to capsules
2. Certain brands definitely seem inferior to others
3. The Carlson's brand of fish oil/cod liver oil is of an exceptional quality and purity

It is likely not the only brand in the world of such high quality, but up to this point it is the only one of such quality that I can recommend, so I now offer the Carlson's fish oil and cod liver oil on Mercola.com; you can also check your local health food store to see if they carry it.

As for fish itself, patients consuming nearly every type of fish these days are showing high levels of mercury in their systems. In short--and sadly, as it would otherwise be one of the healthiest meats on the planet--I now advise against consuming any fish from any source, including fresh water, farm-raised or ocean, because most are contaminated with mercury. If you do consume fish, you should be certain the provider can demonstrate that the fish are free of detectable levels of mercury and other toxins, such as the delicious Vital Choice Salmon, which is the only brand I've found that lab-tested to be pure of mercury, PCBs and other toxins.

Related Articles:

Protect Yourself From Heart Disease With Simple Lifestyle Changes

Fish Oil Benefits the Heart and Brain

Aspirin Not Recommended for Heart Disease Anymore

Garlic Lowers Heart Disease Risk

Another Reason Why Eggs Actually Lower the Risk of Heart Disease

More Evidence That Fish Oil Helps Heart Disease