Drink Your Arthritis Risk in Half
Reported June 18, 2008
Rheumatoid arthritis can be a debilitating condition, but is it possible that five glasses of wine per week can reduce the risk of its onset by 50 percent? Yes, in fact, two studies have found just drinking more often, though still in moderation, has positive results. So, go pour yourself a glass and read about the good news.
One of the most misunderstood diseases is rheumatoid arthritis, as people untouched by it tend to think it’s simply a condition that causes discomfort and restricted movement in older people. In truth, rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that can cause very severe pain as the immune system attacks a person’s joints and tissues, even sometimes affecting the lungs, kidneys, and other vital organs. It is three times more likely to occur in women and is not limited to any specific age range, though onset is most common between the ages of 40 and 60. The autoimmune disorder is in the same family as lupus and multiple sclerosis.
Two new studies provide hope, however, for rheumatoid sufferers. According to a recent Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases report, people who drank the equivalent of five glasses of an alcoholic beverage per week were approximately 50 percent less likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis than those who drank little or no alcohol.
The Sweden-based Karolinska Institute conducted two studies with 2,750 people and analyzed environmental and genetic risk factors that come into play with rheumatoid arthritis. All of the participants in the studies were asked about their lifestyles, including smoking and drinking habits, and blood samples were done to balance the research with genetic risk factors. Over half of the participants were found to have rheumatoid arthritis.
Those who drank alcohol were found to have significantly lower risks of developing the disease, and the more alcohol consumed, the lower the risk. In fact, the quarter of the participants who drank the most was found to be up to 50 percent less likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis than those who drank the least. As with other inflammatory diseases having to do with the heart, alcohol consistently seems to reduce the risk of inflammation, which now rings true with arthritis, though the cause of this correlation remains undetermined.
Alcohol seemed to affect the risks of men and women alike, and age and living conditions had no significant importance on the findings. However, it is important to keep in mind that a balance must be obtained, as excessive alcohol consumption can lead to a wide array of other health problems. In addition, alcohol may be a dangerous combination when taken in conjunction with anti-inflammatory drugs often prescribed for rheumatoid arthritis. Consultation with a physician is highly recommended before increasing alcohol consumption.
Another important conclusion drawn from the results of the studies had to do with smoking. Cigarettes, it was found, can be an extremely high risk factor for contracting rheumatoid arthritis. While this is not exactly news, it confirms what other studies have found to be true: Smoking is the greatest lifestyle choice that spurs on the development of rheumatoid symptoms, especially when genetic factors are already in place to increase the risk, and quitting smoking is the greatest preventative measure one can take.
According to recent census data, rheumatoid arthritis affects nearly 1.3 million people in the United States alone. There are numerous drugs on the market and in the scientific research process for the disease, but to prevent it from its onset in the first place is the most ideal situation. The Swedish studies regarding alcohol as a preventative measure and smoking as a danger factor will no doubt spur further research that could benefit rheumatoid sufferers.