Natural Medicine Issued An Article: Alcohol Consumption Increases The Risk Of 61 Diseases, Including Diabetes And Gout

On June 8, 2023, the international medical journal "Nature Medicine" (NATURE MEDICINE, IF: 87.241) published a research report entitled "The Risk of Alcohol Drinking and More than 200 Diseases in Chinese Men", which comprehensively evaluated the relationship between alcohol consumption and diseases The relationship between risks, a total of more than 500,000 Chinese adult population data were included, and the follow-up was about 12 years. 

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The study found:

➤Drinking alcohol can significantly increase the risk of 61 diseases including diabetes, gout, stroke, cataract, and cancer.

➤ Compared with the previous 28 diseases identified by the World Health Organization (WHO), this study observed an increased risk of an additional 33 diseases.

➤For most diseases, a significant "dose-response" correlation between disease risk and alcohol consumption was observed, that is, the greater the amount and frequency of alcohol consumption, the higher the disease risk.

➤As the duration of alcohol abstinence prolongs, the associated risk gradually decreases.

From 59% to 85% - the "alcohol storm" swept the world!

Alcohol consumption is responsible for more than 3 million deaths worldwide each year and is a risk factor for many diseases. Notably, alcohol consumption has increased in low- and middle-income countries since the 1990s. Among them, the proportion of Chinese adult men who reported drinking alcohol in the past year increased rapidly from 59% in 1990 to 85% in 2017.

Previous epidemiological studies involving Western populations have reported the harm of alcohol consumption on a variety of diseases, including cancer, liver cirrhosis, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and infectious diseases. However, studies performed in Western populations may not apply to Chinese populations due to significant differences in disease patterns and drinking patterns.

To this end, using the data from the China Kadoorie Biobank (CKB) jointly established by Oxford University, Peking University, and the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, the researchers investigated the relationship between drinking and 207 diseases in the Chinese population, including total of 2004~ Over 512,000 adult (41% male) subjects in 2008. Diabetes, gout, cataracts... Drinking alcohol may increase the risk of 61 diseases!

In the baseline survey, 33% of men reported regular alcohol consumption, with an average alcohol consumption of 286 g/week, mainly spirits. Compared with moderate drinkers (approximately 140 g/week), heavy drinkers were more likely to be from rural areas, less educated, and had more unhealthy lifestyle factors (such as smoking and infrequent intake of fresh fruit), with an average Higher blood pressure and long history of alcohol consumption.

During a mean follow-up of 12.1 years, 134,641 men (44,027 drinkers) and 198,430 women (4420 drinkers) experienced at least one hospitalization or death. Among men, alcohol consumption was significantly associated with an increased risk of 61 diseases, according to two independent analyses:

➤Including 28 diseases recognized by WHO, such as tuberculosis, laryngeal cancer, esophageal cancer, liver cancer, colon cancer, rectal cancer, lip cancer, oral cancer, pharyngeal cancer, diabetes, epilepsy, hypertension, cerebrovascular disease, chronic Hemorrhagic heart disease, cardiomyopathy, pneumonia, alcoholic liver disease, liver cirrhosis, pancreatitis, etc.

Twenty-two of these 28 disorders showed a significant "dose-response" association with alcohol intake. Drinking 280g of alcohol per week increased overall disease risk by 22%, ranging from 12% for pneumonia to 97% for cancer of the esophagus.

➤The other 33 diseases that were significantly and positively associated with alcohol consumption in men included lung cancer, gastric cancer, cataract, six digestive system diseases (such as gastroesophageal reflux disease and gastric ulcer), three musculoskeletal diseases, gout, three types of fractures, Mental and behavioral abnormalities and circulatory system diseases, etc.

Twenty-two of the 33 diseases showed significant "dose-response" correlations. Drinking 280g of alcohol per week was associated with a 12% increase in overall disease risk and, specifically, a 16% increase in disease risk for lung cancer to 94% for purpura/other bleeding disorders.

Long-term, a large amount of drinking on an empty stomach is more harmful!

Also note that:

➤The risk of alcohol-related cancer and liver cirrhosis increased by about 30% to 40% in daily drinking subjects compared with non-daily drinking subjects;

➤ Intermittent heavy drinking increases the risk of diabetes by about 23%, and the risk of ischemic heart disease increases by about 11%;

➤ Drinking alcohol on an empty stomach was associated with a 49% higher risk of cirrhosis than drinking alcohol with meals.

➤In men, the risk of all major alcohol-related diseases was higher with a longer drinking history.

➤The number of all-cause hospitalizations in chronic drinkers was higher than in occasional drinkers, especially cancer hospitalizations.

Summary of this article

This study shows that drinking alcohol is very harmful to Chinese men, and drinkers will face a wide range of disease risks - drinking alcohol is significantly associated with a high risk of 61 diseases, including 33 alcohol-related diseases that have not been reported by the World Health Organization before, and a high risk of hospitalization for any reason. These observations underscore the importance of reducing alcohol intake as a public health priority in China.

How does Cistanche treat kidney disease?

Cistanche is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine used for centuries to treat various health conditions, including kidney disease. It is derived from the dried stems of Cistanche deserticola, a plant native to the deserts of China and Mongolia. The main active components of cistanche are phenylethanoid glycosides, echinacoside, and acteoside, which have been found to have beneficial effects on kidney health.

Kidney disease, also known as renal disease, refers to a condition in which the kidneys are not functioning properly. This can result in a buildup of waste products and toxins in the body, leading to various symptoms and complications. Cistanche may help treat kidney disease ase through several mechanisms.

Firstly, cistanche has been found to have diuretic properties, meaning it can increase urine production and help eliminate waste products from the body. This can help relieve the burden on the kidneys and prevent the buildup of toxins. By promoting diuresis, cistanche may also help Reduce high blood pressure, a common complication of kidney disease.

Moreover, cistanche has been shown to have antioxidant effects. Oxidative stress, caused by an imbalance between the production of free radicals and the body's antioxidant defenses, plays a key role in the progression of kidney disease. ies help neutralize free radicals and reduce Oxidative stress, thereby protecting the kidneys from damage. The phenylethanoid glycosides found in cistanche have been particularly effective in scavenging free radicals and inhibiting lipid peroxidation.

Additionally, cistanche has been found to have anti-inflammatory effects. Inflammation is another key factor in the development and progression of kidney disease. Cistanche's anti-inflammatory properties help reduce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inhibit the activation of inflammation mandatory pathways, thus alleviating inflammation in the kidneys.

Furthermore, cistanche has been shown to have immunomodulatory effects. In kidney disease, the immune system can be dysregulated, leading to excessive inflammation and tissue damage. Cistanche helps regulate the immune response by modulating the production and activity of immune cells, such as T cells and macrophages. This immune regulation helps reduce inflammation and prevent further damage to the kidneys.

Moreover, cistanche has been found to improve renal function by promoting the regeneration of renal tubes with cells. Renal tubular epithelial cells play a crucial role in the filtration and reabsorption of waste products and electrolytes. In kidney disease, these cells can be damaged, leading to damaged renal function. Cistanche's ability to promote the regeneration of these cells helps restore proper renal function and improve overall kidney health.

In addition to these direct effects on the kidneys, cistanche has been found to have beneficial effects on other organs and systems in the body. This holistic approach to health is particularly important in kidney disease, as the condition often affects multiple organs and systems. che has been shown to have protective effects on the liver, heart, and blood vessels, which are commonly affected by kidney disease. By promoting the health of these organs, cistanche helps improve overall kidney function and prevent further complications.

In conclusion, cistanche is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine used for centuries to treat kidney disease. Its active components have diuretic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and regenerative effects, which help improve renal function and protect the kidneys from further damage. , cistanche has beneficial effects on other organs and systems, making it a holistic approach to treating kidney disease.

Reference: 

Im, P.K., Wright, N., Yang, L. et al. Alcohol consumption and risks of more than 200 diseases in Chinese men. Nat Med (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591- 023-02383-8