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serum levels of selenium may increase the risk of developing
rheumatoid factor-negative rheumatoid arthritis, while low levels
of alpha-tocopherol may increase the risk of rheumatoid arthritis
overall, according to researchers in Finland.
Dr. Paul
Knekt, of the National Public Health Institute, in Helsinki,
and colleagues studied 18,709 Finnish men and women without
arthritis or a history of the disease at baseline. The subjects
gave blood and filled out a questionnaire on their medical history
and smoking habits during a baseline examination between 1973
and 1978.
As reported
in the July issue of Epidemiology, 122 subjects had developed
arthritis by late 1989, of whom 34 were rheumatoid factor-negative.
The researchers matched each incident case with controls for
sex, age, and municipality, for a total of 357 controls.
In comparing
the highest to the lowest tertile of serum selenium and adjusting
for smoking and total cholesterol, they found that the relative
risk was 0.16 for rheumatoid factor-negative arthritis and 0.96
for rheumatoid factor-positive arthritis. The association was
strongest during the first 10 years of follow-up, according
to the study.
In addition,
when comparing the highest versus the lowest tertile of serum
alpha-tocopherol, they found that the relative risk was 0.44
for rheumatoid arthritis. The association was found only during
the first 10 years of follow-up, Dr. Knekt and colleagues noted.
"Low
selenium status may be a risk factor for rheumatoid factor-negative
rheumatoid arthritis, and low alpha-tocopherol may be a risk
factor for rheumatoid arthritis independently of rheumatoid
factor status," the researchers conclude. They note that
antioxidant status alone "may not account for all the benefits
associated with the dietary pattern leading to high serum levels
of the antioxidants."
How does
this research effect athletes? Many athletes succumb to arthritic
conditions later in life as a result of joint abuse. I feel
this research underscores the need to take antioxidant supplements
early in life as a way to help prevent destructive arthritic
conditions. This research provides valuable data to support
this.
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