Training & Nutrition - Aspirin befora a ride?

Someone had suggested to me to take 2 aspirin before a ride to thin the blood to increase oxygen absorption, and to take care of any possible post ride headaches. Other than thin blood in the case of a crash, are there any other negattttives to watch out for?

Increased bleeding from any cut or scrapes.

As a heart attack "victim", I take aspirin fairly regularly. It doesn't thin the blood, as you can only do that by ingesting fluids or reduce the solids in the serum.

It's function, as I understand it, is to stop the blood from clotting (the primary cause of heart attacks). Hence those who take aspirin (Cartia in my case -- with an enteric coating to enable it to be absorbed in the small intestine as opposed to the stomach) tend to bruise more easily and over a wider area. Stopping bleeding can be a problem for some, especially if it's from the nose.

Taking plain aspirin (as opposed to the enteric coated tablets) on a regular basis can cause stomach problems. I am not (repeat not) a doctor, but it's something I wouldn't fiddle with unless under medical supervision. If you do take it regularly, you also have to use other forms of pain relief or anti-inflammatory (ibuprofen, codeine, paracetamol).

I have had no indication of better or worse cycling performance whether I am taking aspirin or not. If you suffer from post-ride headaches, you may be under-rehydrating on the ride. Or you have other problems that should be checked by a doc.

cbhungry will know more.

R

Rowan is right. Apsrin only prevents the platelets from aggregating or "clumping" which is one of the primary means of blood clot formation. It prolongs bleeding time which is why surgeons ask you stop it for a week before surgery. It does not reduce blood viscoscity. As for improving athletic preformance....nope unless you have an injury it might help diminish pain enough so that you can exert the action needed with more comfort. If you are having post ride headaches, drink more as Rowan stated. Strangely, ibuprofen might help more (in large part to its analgesic effect so it blunts the headache pain) but unlike asprin, it causes upregulation of sodium absorption in the kidneys ie: you retain fluid slightly and lose less salt and might get less dehydrated. This is theoretical and has not been clinically studied.

wow, thanks guys, you learn something new every day...