Alcohol And Arthritis

I came across this article and found it very interesting…

A study was done, involving 2,750 participants in Sweden on how alcohol can affect arthritis. For those who drank approximately 5 glasses of wine each week, the risk was cut in half of developing Rheumatoid Arthritis. Those who smoked showed a very significant risk factor.

Alcohol ‘cuts risk of arthritis’
…Researcher Dr Henrik Kallberg stressed the most important finding of the study was that smoking was a very significant risk factor for rheumatoid arthritis, reinforcing findings from previous studies.
However, he added: “In addition, it is important to know that moderate alcohol consumption is not deleterious and may in some contexts be beneficial concerning risk for future onset of rheumatoid arthritis.”
There are known to be links between moderate alcohol consumption and a reduced risk of other inflammatory processes, such as cardiovascular disease. However, the reason for this is still unclear.
Professor Robert Moots, from the Arthritis Research Campaign, said it was possible that drinking alcohol may have a protective effect against rheumatoid arthritis.

But he said the study was not conclusive and any protective effect was not properly understood.
He said: “There is no doubt that drinking too much is very bad for our health in many ways and these risks by far outweigh any potential benefit for reducing the risk of rheumatoid arthritis, which this study points to, without being conclusive.

“We must also remember that drinking alcohol in excess can be especially dangerous in patients taking some anti-rheumatoid drugs that may cause liver damage.

“There are many modifiable lifestyle risk factors for developing rheumatoid arthritis and, as this study also points out, smoking is by far the greatest.”

A spokesman for Arthritis Care said: “It’s too early to say what these findings may mean, so people with rheumatoid arthritis should continue to work in partnership with their health professionals to address their specific health needs.”

Story from BBC NEWS:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/h…th/7435002.stm

I myself like to enjoy a glass of white wine every evening- just one. I’ve found that I feel better the next day. If I’ve missed a few days, I feel it. I do encourage that before anyone launches into this therapy, they discuss the implications with their Doctor because of possible interactions with other medications, or if there is a history of substance abuse/dependency.

Cheers!