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NEW STUDY: Frequent Sex Can Reduce Risk Of Colds
InSourced ^ | Nov 14, 2003 | Carl J. Charnetski

Posted on 11/14/2003 5:12:58 AM PST by Pern

A new study by Carl J. Charnetski, professor of psychology, and Francis X. Brennan, Jr., assistant professor of psychology, at Wilkes University, suggests that the immune system is boosted by frequent sexual activity. Their research, "The Effect of Sexual Behavior on Immune System Function," is being presented at the Eastern Psychological Association Convention in April. "We found that individuals engaging in sexual activity once or twice a week have substantially higher levels of the antibody Immunoglobulin A (IgA) than individuals reporting no sexual activity or less than one occurrence a week," says Charnetski.

The bad news for people hoping to have discovered a new way to prevent the common cold is that the researchers found that individuals engaging in very frequent sexual activity - more than two times a week - had significantly lower levels of IgA than those individuals reporting sexual activity once or twice a week.

"We also found no direct relationship between IgA and either length of relationship or sexual satisfaction," says Brennan.

The researchers collected data on 111 undergraduate students - 44 male and 67 female - regarding the frequency of sexual encounters as defined by some form of genital contact with a partner. Information was gathered from the volunteers on length of relationship as well as satisfaction with one's sexual relationships.

Charnetski and Brennan then took a measure of immune system function from each individual. Saliva samples were obtained and bio-assayed for Immunoglobulin A (IgA). IgA is the most prevalent of the five major antibodies present in one's system. It is found in all mucosal linings of the body as well as the blood system.

IgA is an antibody produced by B lymphocytes and it forms a barrier against the entrance of disease, says Brennan Measuring IgA provides some information as to general immune system function. Secondly, IgA is found in all muscosa and provides a first line of defense against upper respiratory infection.

"This is one way of marking immunologic defense at any point in time and simply stated, more is better," says Charnetski.

Four classifications of sexual frequency were derived from the data: No Sexual Activity; Infrequent Sexual Activity (less than one occurrence per week); Frequent Sexual Activity (one to two occurrences per week); and Very Frequent Sexual Activity (three or more occurrences per week).

"We found concentrations of IgA to be approximately one-third higher in the Frequent group as compared to all other categories, including the Very Frequent group," says Charnetski.

The professors plan on attempting to identify specific mechanisms whereby sexual activity influences IgA in future studies. They are already in the process of analyzing data involving "Love" and IgA and how this may interact with their current research findings.


TOPICS: Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: colds; crevolist; health; healthy; sex; showarticletowife
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To: Pern
You better not!! What if she gets a bunch of colds and you don't? LOL
41 posted on 11/14/2003 11:24:24 AM PST by tiki
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To: windcliff
And remember Ray McKegney.
42 posted on 11/14/2003 3:19:43 PM PST by onedoug
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To: PatrickHenry
Well, I don't get colds.
43 posted on 11/14/2003 8:00:41 PM PST by Victoria Delsoul (I love the smell of winning, the taste of victory, and the joy of each glorious triumph)
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To: Victoria Delsoul
(cough) (cough)
44 posted on 11/14/2003 8:01:57 PM PST by Senator Pardek
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To: Senator Pardek
Here you are...


45 posted on 11/14/2003 8:04:22 PM PST by Victoria Delsoul (I love the smell of winning, the taste of victory, and the joy of each glorious triumph)
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Please pass the cough syrup.:-)
46 posted on 11/14/2003 8:05:20 PM PST by auboy (I'm out here on the front lines, sleep in peace tonight–American Soldier–Toby Keith, Chuck Cannon)
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To: onedoug
er... please tell me you aren't avoiding the flu in the same manner that Michael Moore and Al Franken are you? I'm sure they wash their hands often too.
47 posted on 11/14/2003 8:08:18 PM PST by cyborg (let's klap another klippies)
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To: Victoria Delsoul
LOL - you're cruel!
48 posted on 11/14/2003 8:13:13 PM PST by Senator Pardek
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To: Pern; WhyisaTexasgirlinPA
I haven't had a cold in years......I can't remember if I've had the antidote though. Maybe I built up a reserve before I got married.
49 posted on 11/14/2003 8:21:16 PM PST by SeeRushToldU_So (Libs want to take my money, my guns, and my land....then sodimize me.)
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To: joesnuffy; WhyisaTexasgirlinPA
dont starve a cold feed an STD

Buzz Killer

50 posted on 11/14/2003 8:24:02 PM PST by SeeRushToldU_So (Libs want to take my money, my guns, and my land....then sodimize me.)
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To: Ruy Dias de Bivar
Not to mention loaded with OLD CROW.

Make the bad man stop! Man, I had one of the worst hangovers from OC....

51 posted on 11/14/2003 8:24:30 PM PST by cardinal4 (Hillary and Clark rhymes with Ft Marcy park...)
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To: SeeRushToldU_So
Ugh......feed an STD...... but you have to admit, that was funny.......
52 posted on 11/14/2003 8:35:24 PM PST by WhyisaTexasgirlinPA
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To: Pern
Well that explains it .... got divorced and now I seem to be getting sicker ... of course that could just be the wonderful effects of being dragged through the courts :-)
53 posted on 11/14/2003 8:46:59 PM PST by Centurion2000 (Resolve to perform what you ought, perform without fail what you resolve.)
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To: Victoria Delsoul
Well, I don't get colds.

I'm happy for you, at multiple levels of meaning. Please continue your healthy lifestyle.

54 posted on 11/15/2003 3:48:25 AM PST by PatrickHenry (Everything good that I have done, I have done at the command of my voices.)
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To: Alamo-Girl
Thanks for the heads up!

I can't believe you said that.

55 posted on 11/15/2003 3:53:24 AM PST by Lazamataz (PROUDLY SCARING FELLOW FREEPERS SINCE 1999 !!!!)
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To: Lazamataz
LOLOLOL! I know. Shame on me.
56 posted on 11/15/2003 8:24:08 AM PST by Alamo-Girl
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To: PatrickHenry
Achoo!
57 posted on 11/15/2003 1:24:23 PM PST by stanz (Those who don't believe in evolution should go jump off the flat edge of the Earth.)
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To: Senator Pardek
LOL!
58 posted on 11/15/2003 1:26:00 PM PST by cmsgop (Why don't you settle down and go buy a Juice Newton Album....)
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To: Pern
They are already in the process of analyzing data involving "Love" and IgA

"Given a scalpel they dissect a kiss"

59 posted on 11/15/2003 1:31:50 PM PST by firebrand
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To: stanz
Achoo!

I think I know what ails you ...

60 posted on 11/15/2003 1:59:09 PM PST by PatrickHenry (Felix, qui potuit rerum cognoscere causas.)
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