( examiner news )"Study after study after study" -- now "over 100 of them" -- show moderate drinkers "less likely to have heart attacks" and "less likely to die from them," Dr. Arthur Klatsky told Brewers Assn this morning. Dr Klatsky is pioneer alcohol and health researcher who did some of most important studies on moderate drinking and reduced risk of coronary artery disease.
Ben Steinman reports from last week’s National Craft Brewers Conference. The report is published here with permission and originally appeared in his daily subscriber publication INSIGHTS Express Vol 11, No 40a April 23, 2009
Results of those 100+ studies are "remarkably unanimous" from "all kinds of populations." The mechanism is also "pretty well established": alcohol raises HDL (good cholesterol), which Dr Klatsky says "explains 50% of benefit." It's alcohol itself that "provides most of benefit." Benefits of antioxidants (in wine) are "not proven" and "wonder" substance resveratrol would have to be consumed in doses that amount to "500 liters of red wine a day."
Abraham Lincoln spoke of beer:
“It is true that many were greatly injured by intoxicating drink, but none seemed to think the injury arose from the use of a bad thing, but from the abuse of a good thing.” Feb 22, 1842 -- (Washington County Temperance Society.- Springfield Illinois)
“I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth they can be depended on to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts, and beer.”
Why do researchers focus on wine? And why then the "persistence and prevalence" of belief that wine is more beneficial, asked Boston Beer chairman Jim Koch during questions and answer session.
Then Dr. Klatsky really got going: "A lot of people doing the research are wine drinkers," he pointedly noted. So much research has become focused on wine that it is "more than a cottage industry, it is a McMansion industry." And lo and behold, when there are studies on wine, "the wine industry is not loathe to promote it." Finally he said it's a "catchy idea" and "people remember it."
( by : Charlie Papazian )
Chart details: * (AHD-ACRF) Atlas of Cardiovascular Risk Factors
Ch. 12 Fig. 21 24p6 W/ 19p6 D
Author: Arthur L. Klatsky, MD, Senior Consultant in Cardiology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, Oakland, California, USA Editor: Tony Artist: WW
( examiner.com )
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Saturday 9 May 2009
Alcohol and Gum Disease
( apalomatreatment news )Researchers find a link between heavy drinking and this growing health problem.
We’ve all heard the warnings about gum disease: It can be a precursor to heart disease, lung disease and diabetes. So you brush and floss, but what else can you do to keep your mouth healthy? Cut down on your alcohol consumption.
For the first time, researchers have proven a connection between heavy alcohol consumption and an increase in the risk of developing gum disease. Oral biologists at the University of Buffalo School of Dental Medicine found the link. (The also found that a diet low in antioxidant vitamins puts you at risk, too.)
As alcohol consumption increased from five drinks per week to 10, 15 and 20, the risk of periodontal disease rose from 10 percent to 20, 30 and then 40 percent, giving researchers confidence that there was a clear link.
The studies were presented at the combined meeting of the American Association for Dental Research and International Association for Dental Research.
( http://lapalomatreatment.com )
Read More......
We’ve all heard the warnings about gum disease: It can be a precursor to heart disease, lung disease and diabetes. So you brush and floss, but what else can you do to keep your mouth healthy? Cut down on your alcohol consumption.
For the first time, researchers have proven a connection between heavy alcohol consumption and an increase in the risk of developing gum disease. Oral biologists at the University of Buffalo School of Dental Medicine found the link. (The also found that a diet low in antioxidant vitamins puts you at risk, too.)
As alcohol consumption increased from five drinks per week to 10, 15 and 20, the risk of periodontal disease rose from 10 percent to 20, 30 and then 40 percent, giving researchers confidence that there was a clear link.
The studies were presented at the combined meeting of the American Association for Dental Research and International Association for Dental Research.
( http://lapalomatreatment.com )
Read More......
Friday 8 May 2009
Alcoholic Liver Disease
Alcohol abuse is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world. It is estimated that in the United States as many as 10 % of men and 3 % of women may suffer from persistent problems related to the use of alcohol. The Fourth Edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) published by the American Psychiatric Association divides alcohol use disorders into "alcohol dependence" and "alcohol abuse." Alcohol dependence is indicated by evidence of tolerance and/or symptoms of withdrawal such as delirium tremens (DTs) or alcohol withdrawal seizures (rum fits) upon cessation of drinking. Alcohol abuse is characterized by recurrent performance problems at school or on the job that result either from the after effects of drinking alcohol or from intoxication on the job or at school. In addition, patients with alcohol abuse disorders may use alcohol in physically adverse circumstances (e.g. while driving) and may miss work or school or neglect child care or household responsibilities because of alcohol use. Legal difficulties related to alcohol use are also common. Patients with alcohol abuse disorders often continue to consume alcohol despite the knowledge that continued consumption poses significant social or interpersonal problems for them. People with alcohol use disorders often consume alcohol despite knowing that they suffer from alcohol-related medical problems such as liver disease.
Alcohol affects many organ systems of the body, but perhaps most notably affected are the central nervous system and the liver. Almost all ingested alcohol is metabolized in the liver and excessive alcohol use can lead to acute and chronic liver disease. Liver cirrhosis resulting from alcohol abuse is one of the ten leading causes of death in the United States.
From data obtained in autopsy studies, it appears that between 10 % and 15 % of alcoholics have cirrhosis at the time of death. It is unknown why some alcoholics develop liver disease while others do not. One possibility is that there are genetic factors that predispose some alcoholics to liver disease. Some data also suggest that co-factors such as chronic infection with hepatitis C virus may increase the risk of the development of cirrhosis in an alcoholic. In general, women who drink an equal amount of alcohol are at higher risk than men for the development of liver disease, possibly because of decreased metabolism of alcohol in the stomach prior to absorption.By Howard J. Worman, M. D.( www.cumc.columbia.edu )
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Alcohol affects many organ systems of the body, but perhaps most notably affected are the central nervous system and the liver. Almost all ingested alcohol is metabolized in the liver and excessive alcohol use can lead to acute and chronic liver disease. Liver cirrhosis resulting from alcohol abuse is one of the ten leading causes of death in the United States.
From data obtained in autopsy studies, it appears that between 10 % and 15 % of alcoholics have cirrhosis at the time of death. It is unknown why some alcoholics develop liver disease while others do not. One possibility is that there are genetic factors that predispose some alcoholics to liver disease. Some data also suggest that co-factors such as chronic infection with hepatitis C virus may increase the risk of the development of cirrhosis in an alcoholic. In general, women who drink an equal amount of alcohol are at higher risk than men for the development of liver disease, possibly because of decreased metabolism of alcohol in the stomach prior to absorption.By Howard J. Worman, M. D.( www.cumc.columbia.edu )
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Friday 1 May 2009
Priory Embraces Web TV To Tackle Alcohol Abuse
( medicalnewstoday news ) The Priory Group is using its expertise to help GPs recognise and deal with the signs of problem and excessive drinking. The UK's leading independent provider of addiction treatment services has commissioned a series of web TV programmes to raise awareness of its specialist services to GPs and other medical practitioners and one of the first subjects tackled was alcohol addiction.
Just this week the National Audit Office (NAO) released startling figures on the growing alcohol problems in England. Hospital admissions for alcohol-related conditions such as liver disease cost the NHS £2.7bn a year. The NAO report also stated that GPs were in an ideal position to help the estimated seven million drinkers who were exceeding the recommended limits but not yet seeing their health affected.
The Priory Healthcare TV report addresses how to recognise the signs of alcohol abuse and what the danger signals are that should alert someone that their drinking is becoming a problem.
Dr. Dorcas Kingham, consultant at The Priory who participates in the programme said: "In the UK 20 per cent of patients attending general practice are drinking in an "at risk manner" while one in five acute medical admissions are related to alcohol. Consumption of alcohol has doubled in the past 40 years. This NAO report highlights the scale of the problems and also underlines the lack of co-ordination in providing alcohol services at a local level.
"The aim of our web TV reports is to present information and advice in a format that people are familiar with from everyday TV viewing which is an easy way to grab attention and bring difficult concepts to life.
"Priory Healthcare News is an innovative and exciting way of bringing the Priory's specialised services to a large audience and building awareness of some of the issues faced by medical practitioners every day."
The programme concerning alcohol addiction can be viewed at http://www.broadbandtvchannel.co.uk/clip.asp?clipid=320
The Priory Group is Europe's leading independent provider of acute mental health, secure and step-down services, specialist education, complex care and neuro-rehabilitation services, working in partnership with the public and independent sectors.
The programmes are hosted on http://www.broadbandtvchannel.co.uk, an internet TV channel targeted at businesses and services, providing a national service compiling TV reports that are then available to view on the internet. The web TV channel is owned by Darlington-based Recognition Services Ltd, which supplies photographic, video, design and web services clients throughout the UK. The company is owned by Graham Robb and Frances Bourne.( www.medicalnewstoday.com ) by Caroline Walker
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Just this week the National Audit Office (NAO) released startling figures on the growing alcohol problems in England. Hospital admissions for alcohol-related conditions such as liver disease cost the NHS £2.7bn a year. The NAO report also stated that GPs were in an ideal position to help the estimated seven million drinkers who were exceeding the recommended limits but not yet seeing their health affected.
The Priory Healthcare TV report addresses how to recognise the signs of alcohol abuse and what the danger signals are that should alert someone that their drinking is becoming a problem.
Dr. Dorcas Kingham, consultant at The Priory who participates in the programme said: "In the UK 20 per cent of patients attending general practice are drinking in an "at risk manner" while one in five acute medical admissions are related to alcohol. Consumption of alcohol has doubled in the past 40 years. This NAO report highlights the scale of the problems and also underlines the lack of co-ordination in providing alcohol services at a local level.
"The aim of our web TV reports is to present information and advice in a format that people are familiar with from everyday TV viewing which is an easy way to grab attention and bring difficult concepts to life.
"Priory Healthcare News is an innovative and exciting way of bringing the Priory's specialised services to a large audience and building awareness of some of the issues faced by medical practitioners every day."
The programme concerning alcohol addiction can be viewed at http://www.broadbandtvchannel.co.uk/clip.asp?clipid=320
The Priory Group is Europe's leading independent provider of acute mental health, secure and step-down services, specialist education, complex care and neuro-rehabilitation services, working in partnership with the public and independent sectors.
The programmes are hosted on http://www.broadbandtvchannel.co.uk, an internet TV channel targeted at businesses and services, providing a national service compiling TV reports that are then available to view on the internet. The web TV channel is owned by Darlington-based Recognition Services Ltd, which supplies photographic, video, design and web services clients throughout the UK. The company is owned by Graham Robb and Frances Bourne.( www.medicalnewstoday.com ) by Caroline Walker
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Women Increase Cancer Risk with Moderate Alcohol
(NaturalNews) On Feb. 26, 2009, ScienceDaily reports results from a seven-year study by Oxford University researchers, UK. The study associated alcohol consumption and cancer in 1,280,296 women. Even low to moderate alcohol use showed a significant increase in cancer risk and may account for nearly 13% of the cancers of the breast, liver, rectum and upper aero-digestive tract combined.
Prior studies have focused on alcohol's impact on breast cancer, while little has been reported on overall cancer risk and site-specific cancer in women. Participants were recruited between 1996 and 200l, and were followed on the average of over seven years. Most had just one drink per day which is typical in high-income countries. Very few drank three or more drinks per day. Regardless of the type of alcohol, it did not alter the association between consumption and cancer risk.
Dr. Naomi Allen and her colleagues found 68,775 women from the group were diagnosed with cancer. Women smokers had an increased risk of cancers of the oral cavity and pharynx, esophagus, and larynx. Each additional alcoholic drink regularly consumed per day was associated with 11 additional breast cancers per 1000 women up to age 75, one additional cancer of the oral cavity and pharynx, one additional cancer of the rectum, and an increase of 0.7 each for esophageal, laryngeal, and liver cancers. For these cancers combined, there was an excess of about 15 cancers per 1000 women per drink per day. (The background incidence for these cancers was estimated to be 118 per 1000 women in developed countries.)
The authors also stated: "Although the magnitude of the excess absolute risk associated with one additional drink per day may appear small for some cancer sites, the high prevalence of moderate alcohol drinking among women in many populations means that the proportion of cancers attributable to alcohol is an important public health issue."
Two doctors from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, in Bethesda, MD, agreed. Michael Lauer M.D., and Paul Sorlie, Ph.D. wrote in an accompanying editorial that although other studies have shown some cardiovascular benefits with moderate alcohol consumption, the excess cancer risk identified in the current study may outweigh that benefit. They said, "From a standpoint of cancer risk, the message of this report could not be clearer. There is no level of alcohol consumption that can be considered safe."
The Oxford University researchers identified the cancer cases through the National Health Service Central Registries. Their full report is listed in the March 4 Journal of the American Cancer Institute.
Other factors not mentioned in this study may be worth considering. Women have less muscle mass than men, which means less water in the body for the dilution principle. The transit time through the liver is slower. The liver also may be sluggish from a number of other toxic assaults. The question of chemical additives in the products also has bearing since there are no legal requirements to list them.
Read More......
Prior studies have focused on alcohol's impact on breast cancer, while little has been reported on overall cancer risk and site-specific cancer in women. Participants were recruited between 1996 and 200l, and were followed on the average of over seven years. Most had just one drink per day which is typical in high-income countries. Very few drank three or more drinks per day. Regardless of the type of alcohol, it did not alter the association between consumption and cancer risk.
Dr. Naomi Allen and her colleagues found 68,775 women from the group were diagnosed with cancer. Women smokers had an increased risk of cancers of the oral cavity and pharynx, esophagus, and larynx. Each additional alcoholic drink regularly consumed per day was associated with 11 additional breast cancers per 1000 women up to age 75, one additional cancer of the oral cavity and pharynx, one additional cancer of the rectum, and an increase of 0.7 each for esophageal, laryngeal, and liver cancers. For these cancers combined, there was an excess of about 15 cancers per 1000 women per drink per day. (The background incidence for these cancers was estimated to be 118 per 1000 women in developed countries.)
The authors also stated: "Although the magnitude of the excess absolute risk associated with one additional drink per day may appear small for some cancer sites, the high prevalence of moderate alcohol drinking among women in many populations means that the proportion of cancers attributable to alcohol is an important public health issue."
Two doctors from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, in Bethesda, MD, agreed. Michael Lauer M.D., and Paul Sorlie, Ph.D. wrote in an accompanying editorial that although other studies have shown some cardiovascular benefits with moderate alcohol consumption, the excess cancer risk identified in the current study may outweigh that benefit. They said, "From a standpoint of cancer risk, the message of this report could not be clearer. There is no level of alcohol consumption that can be considered safe."
The Oxford University researchers identified the cancer cases through the National Health Service Central Registries. Their full report is listed in the March 4 Journal of the American Cancer Institute.
Other factors not mentioned in this study may be worth considering. Women have less muscle mass than men, which means less water in the body for the dilution principle. The transit time through the liver is slower. The liver also may be sluggish from a number of other toxic assaults. The question of chemical additives in the products also has bearing since there are no legal requirements to list them.
Read More......
Tuesday 28 April 2009
Coffee Protects Alcohol Drinkers From Liver Disease
( Medical News Today )Drinking coffee protects alcohol drinkers from developing liver disease, says a new study carried out at the Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, California, USA. According to the researchers, one cup of coffee per day lowered the incidence of cirrhosis of the liver for alcohol drinkers by 22%.
Study leader, Dr. Arthur Klatsky, stressed that alcohol drinking, especially excess drinking, is linked to various different physical risks. As such, said Klatsky, the study's findings should not be interpreted as a licence to booze to your heart's content. He advised people not to consumer more than three alcoholic drinks a day.
This is not the first study to link coffee consumption to less liver disease. Another study published in Gastroentorology in December, 2005, had similar findings.
This new study was much larger than last years'. The new study was able to look more into each cause of cirrhosis and how coffee is linked a lower incidence of them.
The Kaiser Permanente study looked at information on 125,000 people with healthy livers from 1978 to 1985. Information had been collected about their alcohol, coffee and tea drinking habits. Of the 330 people who had developed cirrhosis of the liver by 2001, 199 had done so as a result of consuming alcohol. The researchers found that the incidence of cirrhosis went down 22% for each cup of coffee consumed per person per day.
You can read about this study in the Archives of Internal Medicine, June 12 issue.
Scientists are still unsure what it is in the coffee that provides the protection. It cannot be the caffeine because tea has caffeine but does not provide the same protection. Clinical trials are needed to further identify the relationship between coffee and how it lowers the incidence of liver disease.Written by: Christian Nordqvist ( patterns : Medical News Today )
Read More......
Study leader, Dr. Arthur Klatsky, stressed that alcohol drinking, especially excess drinking, is linked to various different physical risks. As such, said Klatsky, the study's findings should not be interpreted as a licence to booze to your heart's content. He advised people not to consumer more than three alcoholic drinks a day.
This is not the first study to link coffee consumption to less liver disease. Another study published in Gastroentorology in December, 2005, had similar findings.
This new study was much larger than last years'. The new study was able to look more into each cause of cirrhosis and how coffee is linked a lower incidence of them.
The Kaiser Permanente study looked at information on 125,000 people with healthy livers from 1978 to 1985. Information had been collected about their alcohol, coffee and tea drinking habits. Of the 330 people who had developed cirrhosis of the liver by 2001, 199 had done so as a result of consuming alcohol. The researchers found that the incidence of cirrhosis went down 22% for each cup of coffee consumed per person per day.
You can read about this study in the Archives of Internal Medicine, June 12 issue.
Scientists are still unsure what it is in the coffee that provides the protection. It cannot be the caffeine because tea has caffeine but does not provide the same protection. Clinical trials are needed to further identify the relationship between coffee and how it lowers the incidence of liver disease.Written by: Christian Nordqvist ( patterns : Medical News Today )
Read More......
Monday 27 April 2009
Alcohol-Related Diseases Account
Alcohol-Related Diseases Account For 1.25 Percent Of Health Expenditure In Portugal by Camilla Dormer
European Association for the Study of the Liver
Liver disease is the most prevalent cause of alcohol-related deaths, followed by car accidents and cancer, according to new research conducted in Portugal and presented at EASL 2009, the Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Liver in Copenhagen, Denmark. The study also showed that alcohol-related diseases account for 1.25% of the health expenditure in Portugal.
( medicalnewstoday news )The study, aimed at assessing the burden of diseases attributable to alcohol consumption, showed that 3.8% of all deaths in Portugal are related to alcohol consumption and account for a death toll of 4,054 people every year. Within these, most people are killed by liver disease (28.3%, representing 1,147 individuals), followed by car accidents (26.2%, representing 1,062 individuals) and by different types of cancers associated with alcohol consumption 21%, representing 851 individuals).
According to the study, the burden of alcohol-related diseases in Portugal is 5.0%, which is higher than the global statistic estimated by the World Health Organization (WHO) of about 3.2%. This is the first study designed to estimate the burden of disease attributable to alcohol consumption, specifically in Portugal.
Professor Helena Cortez-Pinto, Unidade de de Nutrição e Metabolismo, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, who led the study, said: "The results of the study confirm that alcohol is an important health risk factor that is particularly related to liver disease in Portugal. By quantifying the significant impact alcohol has on the nation's health, we highlight the need for effective strategies to promote lifestyle changes and moderate alcohol consumption to reduce death rates, the incidence of liver disease and related costs to the healthcare system."
In this study, researchers estimated the burden and cost of diseases attributable to alcohol drinking based on the demographic and health statistics available for 2005. The results indicate that €14.1 million is attributable to alcohol-related chronic disease admissions (liver diseases, cancer, etc.) and €82.2 million to acute alcohol-related conditions (traffic accidents and external causes), resulting in a total amount of €96.3 million. Furthermore, ambulatory costs of alcohol-related diseases were estimated as €93 million, totaling €189.2 million direct costs attributable to alcohol, which represent 0.13% of the Portuguese Gross Domestic Product and 1.25% of total national health expenditures.
The study population included all individuals from the mainland, aged 15 or over, and alcohol consumption was estimated using the data from the Portuguese National Health Survey of 2005. The results differed according to gender, with 5.6% of deaths occurring in men and representing 6.2% of the disease burden, while 3.6% of deaths occurring in women and represented 1.8% of the disease burden.
( www.paterns medicalnewstoday.com )
Read More......
European Association for the Study of the Liver
Liver disease is the most prevalent cause of alcohol-related deaths, followed by car accidents and cancer, according to new research conducted in Portugal and presented at EASL 2009, the Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Liver in Copenhagen, Denmark. The study also showed that alcohol-related diseases account for 1.25% of the health expenditure in Portugal.
( medicalnewstoday news )The study, aimed at assessing the burden of diseases attributable to alcohol consumption, showed that 3.8% of all deaths in Portugal are related to alcohol consumption and account for a death toll of 4,054 people every year. Within these, most people are killed by liver disease (28.3%, representing 1,147 individuals), followed by car accidents (26.2%, representing 1,062 individuals) and by different types of cancers associated with alcohol consumption 21%, representing 851 individuals).
According to the study, the burden of alcohol-related diseases in Portugal is 5.0%, which is higher than the global statistic estimated by the World Health Organization (WHO) of about 3.2%. This is the first study designed to estimate the burden of disease attributable to alcohol consumption, specifically in Portugal.
Professor Helena Cortez-Pinto, Unidade de de Nutrição e Metabolismo, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, who led the study, said: "The results of the study confirm that alcohol is an important health risk factor that is particularly related to liver disease in Portugal. By quantifying the significant impact alcohol has on the nation's health, we highlight the need for effective strategies to promote lifestyle changes and moderate alcohol consumption to reduce death rates, the incidence of liver disease and related costs to the healthcare system."
In this study, researchers estimated the burden and cost of diseases attributable to alcohol drinking based on the demographic and health statistics available for 2005. The results indicate that €14.1 million is attributable to alcohol-related chronic disease admissions (liver diseases, cancer, etc.) and €82.2 million to acute alcohol-related conditions (traffic accidents and external causes), resulting in a total amount of €96.3 million. Furthermore, ambulatory costs of alcohol-related diseases were estimated as €93 million, totaling €189.2 million direct costs attributable to alcohol, which represent 0.13% of the Portuguese Gross Domestic Product and 1.25% of total national health expenditures.
The study population included all individuals from the mainland, aged 15 or over, and alcohol consumption was estimated using the data from the Portuguese National Health Survey of 2005. The results differed according to gender, with 5.6% of deaths occurring in men and representing 6.2% of the disease burden, while 3.6% of deaths occurring in women and represented 1.8% of the disease burden.
( www.paterns medicalnewstoday.com )
Read More......
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