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Alcohol & LDL Levels

Alcohol affects LDL ("bad cholesterol") levels, depending on how high the levels are to begin with and how much alcohol is consumed. People with healthy LDL cholesterol levels can consume alcohol in moderation with no adverse effects. However, people with high LDL levels increase their risks of heart disease and stroke with alcohol consumption, and immoderate consumption of alcohol can raise LDL levels even among people whose levels are naturally low.

  1. Healthy Alcohol Consumption

    • The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends that people who drink alcohol limit their intake to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men. Limiting alcohol consumption to these amounts significantly reduces the affect that alcohol has on heart disease and stroke.

    Healthy LDL Levels

    • When you measure your cholesterol, the reading is broken down into HDL and LDL levels. LDL refers to "bad cholesterol," or the cholesterol that contributes to heart disease. The lower the LDL level, the better. LDL levels that are 129 and below are considered healthy levels.

    High LDL Levels and Alcohol

    • In a study conducted in Copenhagen, Denmark, evaluating the relationship between LDL levels and alcohol, researchers found that subjects with high LDL levels had an increasingly higher percentage of heart disease directly related to any amount of alcohol consumption. The results showed that if one does have high LDL levels, even the recommended maximum amount of alcohol could be dangerous.

    Low LDL Levels and Alcohol

    • In the same study, researchers found that subjects with lower LDL levels did not show any correlation between heart disease and recommended maximum alcohol consumption. When people have low LDL levels, their bodies function normally and are able to retain healthy cholesterol levels despite the extra work needed to break down alcohol.

    Excessive Alcohol Intake

    • Excessive consumption of alcohol creates fatty deposits and irregular enzyme production in the heart, increasing LDL levels and contributing to liver problems, cardiovascular disease and malnutrition.

    Lowering LDL Levels

    • Researchers found that ceasing alcohol consumption can actually lower LDL levels and reverse the risk of heart disease.

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