Posted on 03/17/2005 8:58:01 PM PST by quantim
A review article of the latest studies looking at red wine and cardiovascular health shows drinking two to three glasses of red wine daily is good for the heart, according to a Yale School of Medicine researcher in the Journal of American College of Surgeons.
"The current consensus is that it is not just the alcohol, but something else," said Bauer Sumpio, M.D., professor and section chief of vascular surgery in the Department of Surgery. "There are probably several mechanisms of protection from a cardiovascular viewpoint."
He said researchers have been trying to pinpoint why red wine has a cardiovascular protective effect ever since the discovery of the so-called "French Paradox" in 1992 when researchers found a 40 percent lower mortality rate from ischemic heart disease among people in France despite the high amount of saturated fats in their diet.
Sumpio said there are several studies showing drinking two to three ounces of alcohol each day has a beneficial effect, but any more than that and the alcohol begins to have a negative health effect. Studies comparing spirits, beer and wine show some benefit from spirits and beer, but an overwhelming benefit from drinking red wine.
His laboratory found polyphenols, minus the alcohol, are powerful anti-oxidants. Polyphenols also are found in fruit, particularly berries, as well as green tea and chocolate. Anti-oxidants slow cell deterioration. The polyphenols also help prevent the build up of plaque on the smooth muscle cells, as well as inhibit platelet formation, which can lead to blood clotting.
"A better understanding of the health benefits of red wine and perhaps the specific polyphenolic extracts with the described properties would be a great contribution to society," Sumpio said.
Co-authors Alfredo Cordova, M.D., La Scienya Jackson, M.D., and David Berke-Schlessel, of Yale. The research was supported in part by the North American Foundation for Limb Preservation.
Translation:
"Brought to you by the French, who really really really really want you to start buying our wine again."
[/sarc]
I'll drink to that!
I've had my vitamin tonight.
I'm working on it...lol
A coworker was having a rash on his chest and BP problems. These turned out to be related to his Seifert stent, which is coated with a drug to reduce scar tissue formation inside the artery.
Eluting stents: an effective, promising solution?
Cristina Giglioli, Massimo Margheri, Serafina Valente, Marco Comeglio, Tania Chechi, Roberto Becherini, Chiara Lazzeri, Gian Franco Gensini
http://www.italheartj.org/pdf_files/20040193.pdf
"Moreover, several variables are known to increase the risk of ISR [in-stent restenosis] individual risk factors: diabetes, a history of prior ISR, genetic factors, allergic reactions to the stent components..."
a couple more topics, of many on FR:
Bextra Found to Pose Risks After Heart Bypass Surgery
NY Times | December 10, 2004 | NA
Posted on 12/10/2004 6:26:44 PM PST by neverdem
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1299000/posts
Therapy for heart is under scrutiny
The New York Times | Mar. 14, 2005 | Nicholas Wade
Posted on 03/14/2005 11:43:19 AM PST by Dubya
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1362614/posts
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