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