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[Best Syndication] A study that was presented at the EULAR 2007 which hosts the Annual European Congress of Rheumatology in Barcelona, Spain explained that alcohol may help reduce the chances of developing rheumatoid arthritis. The benefits were seen when a person drank three servings of alcohol a week and when there was ten units a week there was even more protection. Smoking and genetic predisposition to rheumatoid arthritis were reduced when individuals drank three or more units a week.

The research showed that the odds ratio 0.5, 95%; confidence interval 0.4 – 0.7 was seen with the increased consumption of alcohol of three or more units per week. The researchers believe that this lifestyle link could prove beneficial for finding new ways to understand rheumatoid arthritis.

Henrik Källberg at the Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden, who is a PhD student said, “Several previous studies have indicated a suppression of the immune system by alcohol and a recent study showed that it prevented development of destructive arthritis. However, until now, epidemiological investigations on the effects of alcohol on RA were scarce and inconsistent. These data now show not only that alcohol can protect against RA and reduce the risk conferred by smoking or susceptible genes, but also gives an idea of the relevant alcohol doses necessary.”

While this is an interesting study, alcohol consumption can also lead to other health problems. Excessive alcohol consumption has been shown to promote cancer in other research studies. In addition too much alcohol could lead to social and family problems that can ruin your life.

Professor Tore Kvien, President of EULAR, said, “These are very interesting findings and are the first observation, from epidemiological data, which now should be confirmed by further clinical studies before a firm conclusion can be achieved. Furthermore, we assert the need for caution in the interpretation of these data. The misuse of alcohol is associated with a number of social and medical problems and any positive implications of alcohol must be coupled with the importance of moderation in alcohol consumption in accordance with standard national guidelines.”

By Mark Barone
Best Syndication Writer