RESEARCH - Antioxidants no help in RA, lupus

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Antioxidants no help vs rheumatoid arthritis, lupus

NEW YORK | Wed Jun 30, 2010 2:41pm EDT

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Antioxidants in food and supplements might

not protect women from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or lupus after all, a

large U.S. study suggests.

RA is not the same as osteoarthritis, which develops with age or with

wear-and-tear on the joints. RA occurs much less often, but is usually

more severe. RA and lupus are both autoimmune disorders.

The researchers tracked nearly 185,000 women for up to 24 years.

Overall, they found no clear relationship between the women's

estimated intake of antioxidants -- including vitamins A, C and E and

beta-carotene -- and their likelihood of being diagnosed with RA or

lupus.

The findings contradict hints from earlier research that women with

higher intake of antioxidants might have lower risks of developing

these diseases.

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Read the full article here:

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE65T4TJ20100630

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