Evidence
suggesting that alcohol is "cardio-protective" first appeared in the
literature about 30 years ago. The Framingham Heart Study [the longest
running population study of heart disease which began in 1948] provided
the first solid evidence of this association. The relationship has now
been confirmed by dozens of large population ["epidemiological"]
studies. However, physicians have been reluctant to recommend alcohol
consumption to patients because of the well-known health consequences of
excessive drinking [hypertension, liver disease, increased rates of
cancer, violent or accidental death] and the horrors that are associated
with "drinking and driving".
Moderation is the key. Many large studies have found
that men and women who consume light to moderate amounts of alcohol per
day live longer than those who abstain completely. The Physicians'
Health Study involved long term follow-up of 89,300 men. The study found
that men who drank five or six alcoholic drinks per week had a 20% lower
risk of all-cause mortality than those who drank no alcohol. On the
other hand, the same study showed that men who had more than two
alcoholic drinks per day had a higher risk of death than nondrinkers.
That means that, when drinking moderately, it appears to be quite
beneficial; however, higher alcohol intake increases the risks of cancer
and motor vehicle accidents so much as to overwhelm any cardiovascular
benefits.
How does alcohol protect the heart? A large portion
of the benefit may be attributable to increased levels of HDL ["good]
cholesterol. Alcohol also has "antiplatelet" effects [making these
natural blood elements less sticky and then less likely to clog arteries
during plaque rupture] in much the same way as aspirin.
Moderate alcohol consumption may also help improve
insulin resistance, which is just about one step below true diabetes and
recognized as another independent predictor for cardiac risk. The
Physicians' Health Study also showed that in subjects who consumed
alcohol daily, the risk for heart disease was reduced by 60% in diabetic
patients, compared to a 40% decrease in persons who did not have
diabetes. Moderate alcohol intake also decreases blood values for CRP
[C-reactive protein], a metabolic marker for inflammation (elevated when
you are in an increased state of oxidative stress).
The jury is still out as to whether or not wine
provides a better protective effect compared to other forms of alcohol.
Red wine is rich in flavonoids, which slow down oxidation of LDL ["bad"]
cholesterol [which is one of the last steps before it is deposited in
your artery wall]. One recent study suggested that light drinkers who
avoided wine reduce their risk of all-cause mortality by 10%, while
light drinkers who preferred wine had more than a 30% decrease in this
risk. However, other studies have found that all forms of alcohol [beer,
whiskey, etc.] were equally protective.
It is important to emphasize that alcohol [of ANY
kind!] should be limited to one drink daily for women and at most two
drinks daily for men [this is based merely on general body size and
nothing else]. One drink is defined as 1.5 oz of distilled spirits (such
as whisky, gin, and vodka), 5 oz of wine, or 12 oz of beer. Patients who
have liver disease, who have a personal or family history of alcohol
abuse, or who cannot limit their intake in a responsible manner should
NOT start! However, since "all things in moderation" is a good adage for
much of life, others can enjoy a daily alcoholic drink as part of a
generally healthy diet.
Disclaimer: If you are under 18, pregnant, nursing or
have health problems, consult your physician before starting any weight
loss plan. The information here is not intended as a substitute for
medical advice. Please consult your physician before beginning any
course of treatment.
for more information:-
