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