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.
Dr. John Rumberger is the Author of The WAY Diet, The complete lifestyle plan to live longer, reduce stress, and lose weight the healthy way. To purchase The Way Diet simply go to http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?path=< br>ASIN/0974993387&link_code=as2&camp=1789&tag=icobweb-20&creative=9325 or go to Empty Canoe Publishing http://www.emptycanoe.com and order your copy of The Way.
cleaning team near Winnetka ..A lot of people I've talked with about health supplements... Read More
I'll preface this article by saying that it will help... Read More
The ingredients list found on the back or side panel... Read More
When we think about the benefits of being ensuring a... Read More
This is usually the forgotten element of most mass programs.... Read More
What if I told you tap water and homogenized milk... Read More
Before the thirties, people knew the importance of mineral. Their... Read More
The above foods contain high antioxidant capacity. These foods were... Read More
"It is a bone-deep change you are going into, my... Read More
What are Glyconutritionals?The Greek word "Glyco" means "Sugar". Most people... Read More
"It's not what you eat, it's what's eating you that... Read More
Are there any benefits to be obtained from drinking water... Read More
Soy, and most soy-based products, are nutritional powerhouses. Soybeans are... Read More
Detoxifying the body has become an apparent key preventative measure... Read More
The Omega Zone Diet and specialists' opinion"Omega RX Zone -... Read More
Bright white teeth and fresh breath does not necessarily... Read More
Millions of people around the UK consume dairy products on... Read More
Mango is my favorite fruit next to pineapples. They're sweet,... Read More
First of all you have to have a bucket. You... Read More
NutrientsFat, Sugar, Sodium and CarbohydrateThe sections on a food label... Read More
Eating out when you are on a restricted diet always... Read More
If you are like most people, you've tried dieting before.... Read More
Fat burning compatible foods seem to be a popular topic... Read More
Coke, more commonly known as cocaine is a highly addictive... Read More
For a considerable amount of time, nutrition has not played... Read More
family-safe home cleaners Northbrook .."You are what you eat."Does it sound familiar? You probably... Read More
Did you know that there might be poison in many... Read More
Quick Overview- I think the most important thing for people... Read More
According to the renowned research scientist and inventor of the... Read More
You say you don't know what glyconutrients are? You are... Read More
If you drop a bomb, you kill not only your... Read More
Having a personal wellness program has become a concern for... Read More
Almost every woman suffers with premenstrual syndrome at one time... Read More
Many of us, probably even you, want this thing called... Read More
We all need fat in our diet on a daily... Read More
One way to combat the boredom many people complain accompanies... Read More
The quality of food we eat (or lack thereof) has... Read More
It seems as if the health of America is failing.... Read More
Just as our country is currently engaged in a war... Read More
Are Your Cells Talking To Each Other?Communication! It permeates our... Read More
Protein must be a part of a healthy diet for... Read More
Recently I found the book : "Eating and health according... Read More
Our diet is an essential factor for the formation of... Read More
The most dreaded word in many dieter's vocabulary is 'fat'.... Read More
I spent a few days at a resort in Mexico... Read More
Like the Sun, Moon, and Earth, there are three kinds... Read More
Biological clockObviously you need biological clock to time and alarm... Read More
The word cholesterol has become synonymous with poor health. Indeed,... Read More
The word herb is used to refer to any part... Read More
The research in support of dietary omega-3 fatty acids (such... Read More
Nutrition |