IMPACT OF MODERATE ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION ON LIPID AND LIPOPROTEIN LEVELS AND BLOOD PRESSURE

The subject of alcohol consumption ¡s important because the major cause of death ¡n many countries is cardiovascular disease (CVD). Moderate alcohol consumption is associated with reduced risk for coronal-y heart disease (CHD) in generally healthy populations. Half of the observed protection against CHD afforded by moderate alcohol consumptjoii is mediated by an increase in high density lipoprotein cholesterol. These days hypertension lias become a massive health burden. It is associated with a 2- fold increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and total mortality. The present study lias been undertaken on l50 male subjects from rural areas of the district Hoshiarpur, Punjab (India). Alcohol consumers were divided into light, moderate and heavy drinkers on the basis of amount of alcohol consumption. The moderate alcohol consumption has been found to have protective role in coronary heart disease. Moderate drinkers exhibit lower rates of coronary heart disease related mortality than both heavy drinkers and abstainers. The lipid profile as well as blood pressure was found to be influenced by moderate alcohol consumption. The serum total cholesterol, triglyceride content, VLDL-C and HDL-C were found to be increased by- moderate alcohol consumption whereas LDL-C was found to be decreased. The decreased LDL-C (bad cholesterol) and increased HDL-C (good cholesterol) accounts for decreased risk of CHD with alcohol consumption.