Alcohol's benefits 'exaggerated'

The use and endorsement of drugs and alcohol at RSE by JZ Knight
Caterpillar
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Joined: Wed Mar 25, 2009 4:11 am

Alcohol's benefits 'exaggerated'

Unread post by Caterpillar »

There goes Ramtha?s theory of ?red wine enlightenment??


(1) Alcohol's benefits 'exaggerated'

Friday, 25 September 2009

University of Otago

http://www.sciencealert.com.au/news-nz/ ... 19856.html

In this week?s online New Zealand Medical Journal clinicians raise question marks over the protective effect for the heart of drinking moderate daily amounts of alcohol.

The writers of the viewpoint paper conclude that cardio-protection from alcohol is by no means certain and probably has been over emphasised in recent years.

?When viewed through the lens of two major early reviews in the mid-1980?s, then Sir Richard Dolls?s contributions in the mid 1990s, followed by two large meta-analyses a decade ago and two most recent overviews, the health giving properties of alcohol use becomes increasingly debateable,? says one of the authors professor Doug Sellman.

Professor Sellman is Director of the National Addiction Centre at the University of Otago, Christchurch.

The writers raise the issue of the influence of the alcohol industry in some of the studies reviewed in relation to the exaggeration of positive effects on the heart and health generally.

They also point out that there are many other health downsides from heavy drinking, and that alcohol is now widely recognised as New Zealand?s most dangerous recreational drug.

The article stresses it is important to remember that the two major early reviews of the vast amount of literature on this subject came to opposite conclusions regarding alcohol?s protective effect on coronary heart disease (CHD). However, Sir Richard Doll?s sample of 34,000 UK doctors came down on the positive side or the argument.

The two meta-analyses a decade ago also equivocated. One said that alcohol reduces risks of CHD through changes in lipids and haemostatic factors, while the other said that the degree of protection from moderate drinking should be reconsidered and further research is needed.

Finally two recent overviews have also raised more doubts. An editorial in The Lancet said the benefit of light drinking have been over-estimated and warned of the health downsides of heavier drinking; increased blood pressure, risk of stroke, and risk of breast cancer increased by 9% for every additional standard drink.

?Essentially we believe that alcohol is still potentially a dangerous drug which can cause a range of acute and chronic health problems, so should not be promoted by anyone as a health tonic,? say the writers of the article

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(2) Alcohol is high risk drug, warn experts

Thursday, 08 November 2007

University of Otago

http://www.sciencealert.com.au/news/200 ... 558-2.html

Health researchers at the University of Otago, Christchurch and the Medical Research Institute in Wellington are arguing that alcohol is a high risk drug according to the national classification regulations. This follows comparative research with another similar, but illegal drug, into its effect on public health.

The results of this study are being presented at the APSAD/Cutting Edge Conference at the Aotea Centre in Auckland on November 7.

"There's no doubt that alcohol is a potentially dangerous drug when we look at the mayhem it causes in relation to public health, crime, and social disruption," says principal investigator Professor Doug Sellman, from the University's National Addiction Centre. "Following this peer-reviewed analysis we think the time has come for a serious reappraisal of the way drugs are classified under the Misuse of Drugs Act (1975)".

The research consisted of a comparison of alcohol with a similar liquid sedative drug, gamma hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) or 'Fantasy', which was scheduled as a Class B1 (high risk) drug under the Act in 2001.

Under the six main criteria for classification under the law they found that the risk to public health from alcohol is at least at the level of GHB, and alcohol could be argued to be a 'somewhat more dangerous drug because of its greater inherent toxicity'. The disinhibited intoxication of alcohol also tends to be of greater duration than GHB.

The researchers point out that the negative influence of alcohol has been recognised for decades, contributing to a significant proportion of the global burden of disease. Alcohol has been linked to more than 60 medical conditions, with half the alcohol-related deaths in New Zealand attributable to chronic diseases, especially cancers. The other half are due to injuries while under the influence, especially amongst young people.

Most studies have concluded that there are no health benefits from alcohol before middle age, and the much publicised cardio-protective effect of drinking only occurs in men over 40 and women post-menopause.

"Despite this we're not saying that alcohol should be prohibited. We simply want its dangerousness better publicised" says Professor Sellman. "What the results of our analysis can contribute is a more objective perspective on alcohol, especially in relation to other recreational drugs".

The researchers say that this study highlights the limitations of drug classification in New Zealand and other western countries when alcohol and tobacco, the two drugs we know most about, are excluded from consideration. This is a situation which has been described in one UK report as an 'un-evidence-based mess'.

Professor Sellman argues that including tobacco and alcohol in the evaluation of drugs and their risks to public health, would hopefully result in a more rational discussion about recreational drug use in general, leading to more effective public policy.

:idea: :idea: :idea:
joe sz
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Unread post by joe sz »

This brings up one of the host of contradictions I found within movements that claim to represent the Great White Brotherhood or Theosophical Society milieu of "ascended masters". In the Agni Yoga teachings instituted by Nicholas and Helena Roerich @1920s under "Master Morya" it was clearly taught that alcohol in any form should not be ingested if a seeker wanted to access the finer "psychic" energies and full creative potential. Alcohol could be used as a topical skin agent for medicinal applications. Of course, none of this was absolute. On one trip through the Altai Mountains the Roerich's reported it was so cold that the brandy had frozen. Maybe it was the porters that were using the brandy.
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