Here’s something for those who are suffering from liver problems.

According to a new study of the American physician of Yale University, a daily dose of aspirin could prevent liver damage.

In his study, Dr. Wajahat Mehal (Associate professor, Dept of Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine) advocates that aspirin could protect the body's largest internal organ from overdoses of another common painkiller, paracetamol (acetaminophen). An overdose of paracetamol harms the liver which causes acute liver failure.

The research, which is published in the Monday’s issue of the ‘Journal of Clinical Investigation’, found that aspirin cut death rates in mice given a paracetamol overdose.

Though the health campaigners hailed the findings of this research but they have also advised that there are many risks in taking daily aspirin. They feel that doses should be kept low.

Speaking on his research, Wajahat Mehal said: “Many agents such as drugs and alcohol cause liver damage, and we have found two ways to block a central pathway responsible for such liver injury. Our strategy is to use aspirin on a daily basis to prevent liver injury.”

In the recent years, countries like US and UK have witnessed an increase in the rate of liver cirrhosis as people drink more alcohol, and paracetamol overdose, both deliberate and accidental. Over 100 people die every year of liver cirrhosis in UK itself.  

Commenting over the research, Nick Henderson of The Aspirin Foundation said, “Serious damage to the liver can be irreversible after a certain stage, so this sounds like an encouraging piece of work.” But he asked the people to consult a doctor before taking aspirin daily and to opt for 75mg doses instead of the 300mg in a normal tablet.