Excessive Alcohol & LDL Cholesterol
Drinking alcohol in moderate amounts has been shown to provide health benefits. However, excessive alcohol consumption can have negative effects on the different parts of your cholesterol reading.-
Definitions
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LDL, or low-density lipoprotein, is the "bad" cholesterol. Moderate alcohol consumption is defined as two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women. Excessive alcohol consumption is anything beyond these amounts.
LDL
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Drinking three glasses or more of wine daily decreases LDL levels, according to the book "Cholesterol Cures: The Breakthrough Menu Plan to Slash Cholesterol," by the editors of Rodale Health Books and Dr. William P. Castelli. However, it also brings down your level of "good" (or high-density lipoprotein [HDL]) cholesterol, and raises triglycerides.
VLDL
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VLDL, or very low-density lipoprotein, is a very harmful form of LDL. Drinking three glasses of wine or more daily brings VLDL levels to their highest peak.
Beer and Wine
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Beer and wine contain antioxidants called flavenoids and phenols that produce a positive effect by blocking LDL oxidation, which causes damage to your arteries. Liquor does not provide these antioxidants.
Men and Excessive Alcohol Consumption
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According to the New Eight Week Cholesterol Cure by Robert E. Kowalski, men over age 50 years who drink any form of alcohol excessively are about five percent more likely to have a higher LDL level than men who drink alcohol in moderate amounts.
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