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posted by on Sunday February 05 2017, @04:04AM   Printer-friendly
from the yummy-aspirin dept.

The regular consumption of salicylic acid, or its consumption in higher doses, could unexpectedly promote and prolong bacterial colonization, as shown by a joint study conducted by Monika Ehling-Schulz's group from the Institute of Microbiology, Vetmeduni Vienna, together with the research group of Fernanda Buzzola from the University of Buenos Aires. The research stays were in part funded by the Mobility Programme for Scientific and Technological Cooperation between Austria and Argentina.

Iron is an important trace element for the human body and plays an essential role in blood formation. The metabolism of many bacteria, including S. aureus, also depends on the availability of iron molecules. Salicylic acid forms complexes with iron ions in the blood and so deprives not only us but also the staphylococcal bacteria of this element. S. aureus modifies its metabolism if it obtains no or only insufficient iron. The microorganism reacts to the changed -- from its perspective, negative -- conditions through the intensified formation of a biofilm, a sort of layer of slime formed by the aggregation of individual bacteria, as Tom Grunert of the Institute for Microbiology at Vetmeduni Vienna explains. The accelerated biofilm production allows the bacteria to survive for an even longer period under unfavourable living conditions.

This increased biofilm formation is promoted by the regular or increased consumption of salicylic acid. As pain relief medication, this compound is usually not taken regularly. However, it also is a component of anti-acne preparations and certain exfoliate products, which are often used for a longer period of time. Since salicylic acid is found in fruits and vegetables, people who follow a mostly vegetarian diet might also affected. "These people consume a small dose of the substance virtually every day," says Grunert. The use of certain medications further increases the iron limitation. Taken orally, salicylic acid enters the blood circulation and forms there complexes with the iron ions.

-- submitted from IRC


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  • (Score: 2) by EvilSS on Sunday February 05 2017, @05:49AM

    by EvilSS (1456) Subscriber Badge on Sunday February 05 2017, @05:49AM (#463031)
    That is a lot of aspirin (assuming 350mg and not "baby aspirin"), and it can certainly cause the ringing in the ears (tinnitus) you mention. In addition, it can cause bleeding issues, particularly in the stomach and small intestine. This can lead to iron deficiency anemia. As for the Tylenol, you don't mention the dosage but you should not exceed the recommended daily dosage, and I certainly hope you never, ever drink while taking that much. Honestly, the effect mentioned in the article here is probably minor compared to the other possible side effects of taking that much over a long period of time.
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  • (Score: 2) by takyon on Sunday February 05 2017, @05:55AM

    by takyon (881) <reversethis-{gro ... s} {ta} {noykat}> on Sunday February 05 2017, @05:55AM (#463035) Journal

    AC's other reply mentions the dosages.

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    • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday February 05 2017, @08:25AM

      by Anonymous Coward on Sunday February 05 2017, @08:25AM (#463062)

      "AC's recommending dosages"

      OMG, why does this remind me of suggest command lines "sudo rm / -rf" Cure for all that ailes you! That is, if you don't have a Windows 7 install on the other partition. In that case, double all dosages, especially the opiates.