How to Have a Healthy Heart / Alcohol Consumption

submitted by Dr. Gary Farr Last Updated June, 4, 2002

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Alcohol

Moderate alcohol consumption has been shown to provide some protection against heart attacks, but it also has downsides that people with heart disease need to consider.

• Alcohol promotes fat storage, especially when combined with a large, high fat meal. If weight control is a challenge, you may want to rethink that drink at the end of your day. Keeping alcohol consumption down is a critical practice for good weight control.

• Alcohol intake increases VLDL production in the liver. This molecule carries triglycerides (fat) in the blood. It is later converted to an LDL molecule, so the more VLDLs you produce the more circulating fat and LDL molecules your body will have to process. Both LDL ("bad" cholesterol) and VLDL molecules are linked to high blood cholesterol and atherosclerosis.
• Alcohol raises blood pressure. Again, if high blood pressure is a condition you need to manage, alcohol consumption will compromise your efforts.

So think before you drink! Keep alcohol consumption to a minimum. Try having a large glass of water between drinks; it fills you up and slows down the amount of alcohol you consume. Remember, moderation is 1 drink per day for women and 2 drinks per day for men. Below is a table which defines 1 drink.

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