There may be a link between beer, women and psoriasis, says a new study, and in fact may increase the risk of getting the autoimmune disease by as much as 70 %. In this study, however, it was determined that non-light beer is much more of a culprit than light, and wine and other spirits did not have as devastating an effect.
The association between alcohol consumption and increased risk of psoriasis onset and psoriasis worsening has long been suspected, says the Archives of Dermatology report. Researchers at the
University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia say those with psoriasis appear to have an increased risk of anxiety and suicidal thoughts, as well.
"Alcohol may induce psoriasis via multiple mechanisms, including immunological changes such as keratinocyte proliferation and up regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Other potential mechanisms include an increased risk of infection and mechanical trauma, which are well known to trigger psoriasis." (ThePostChronicle.com)
Women and Beer Drinking
Women who drink regular beer may be increasing their risk of developing psoriasis. Researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and Boston University tracked 82,869 women who had not initially been diagnosed with psoriasis for about 15 years, from 1991 through 2005. The participants, from the Nurses' Health Study II, reported their own alcohol consumption and also, over the course of the study, reported whether a doctor had diagnosed psoriasis.
The researchers found that even relatively moderate amounts of beer seemed to increase the risk of psoriasis, with 2.3 drinks a week driving up the risk almost 80%. And five beers a week more than doubled the risk of being diagnosed with this skin condition, as compared with teetotalers.
We can say that if a woman would like to consume alcohol and if she has a family history of psoriasis or known psoriasis in the past or some other reason she might be predisposed to psoriasis, the alcohol of choice probably should not be nonlight beer," said Dr. Abrar A. Qureshi, lead author of the article appearing in the December issue of Archives of Dermatology. (UsaToday.com)
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