[georgepds]

In my recent attempts to raise my HDL I finally tracked down the fact that alcohol is probably more effective than anything else. Moderate drinking reduces all cause mortality, and the risk of stroke. I am (literally) a teetotaler, I abstain from alcohol. But, nothing I'm doing seems to help HDL all that much. What got me onto the subject was a nutrition article that noted " Alcoholics tend to have high HDL. ...They later found HDL cholesterol was increased up to over 200 mg/dl chronic alcoholics after recent drinking bouts" (1). 200 d**n I've been struggling to get my HDL over 30 ( it's 28 at last measure)

Now, I'm not about to become a chronic alcoholic, but I am considering a glass of wine or two a day. I've tried before but with little success. As recently as last night I took a glass to drink with my wife, took two sips and then handed the rest over to her. I'm just not interested in it. But to reduce my risk of stroke and CVD, I'm willing to give it a try

Good idea, or truly terrible.. I'd like your comments

Notable were these two results for diabetic women and men(2) ( the source suspect, they are "pushing" alcohol, but the references seem solid, I generally accept the cautious results of the HSPH)

# A study of over 5,000 women with type 2 diabetes mellitus by Harvard researchers found that coronary heart disease rates "were significantly lower in women who reported moderate alcohol intake than in those who reported drinking no alcohol." Women who drank more than 5 grams (about half a glass) a day reduced their risk of CHD (fatal or nonfatal) by more than half.

# In a study of nearly 88,000 men, Harvard researchers found that drinking reduced risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) risk among both diabetics and non-diabetics. Weekly consumption of alcohol reduced CHD risk by one-third (33%) while daily consumption reduced the risk by over half (58%) among diabetics. For non-diabetics, weekly consumption reduced CHD risk by 18% while daily consumption reduced the risk by 39%.

As to dose and HDL.. well this article (3) notes an increase " for serum HDL cholesterol (0.14 mg/dl/g/day of alcohol)"

And as to how important it is compared to other things you can do (4) notes "CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that, among lifestyle behaviors, alcohol consumption is the more important correlate of HDL-cholesterol"

see:
(1) http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/reprint/31/6/977.pdf
(2) Alcohol And Health
(3) The effect of alcohol on serum high density lipopr... [Atherosclerosis. 1983] - PubMed result
(4)Lifestyle determinants of high-density lipoprotein... [Am Heart J. 2004] - PubMed result

[foxl]

Probably okay, but ... look into what component of HDL increases.

It might look good on paper, but not give you much actual health improvement. I gotta catch a bus, so cannot provide references for this, but I have read this.

Now, if you want one or two to relax, and you are not on metformin, try it ... cautiously. But not for the HDL, from what I read.

[fgummett]

Dr. Beatrice Golomb, UCSD Department of Medicine, does mention the rôle of alcohol in this presentation...

YouTube - SIRA: New Views of Cholesterol; Statins and Heart Attacks

...as I recall, it may have some effect but she does not recommend starting drinking as a way to improve your lipid profile.

[fgummett]

In the above presentation, she discusses alcohol at around 18 minutes

[sumi]

Hi George, as Frank said that is a GREAT presentation although it is an hour to watch. I think it pointed out that alcohol may cause some other problems (other than accidents, I believe it raises triglycerides)and therefore may not decrease overall mortality. Personally I will go with moderate consumption because it suits me. It mentions that monosaurates such as olive oil and canola oil will raise HDL without raising LDL (I think it actually lowers them) and also that cold water fatty fish twice a week is a great CVD preventer. I must admit I do not care for fatty fish unless I have just caught them- absolutely fresh, so I'm going to try at least one lunch per week of canned salmon with salt and vinegar- one of the few ways I enjoy it.

[Dis-N-Dat]

It also depends on the kind of alcohol if I'm not mistaken. Red wine seems to be the most beneficial. A glass of red wine with dinner on occassion works well for me and doesn't affect my BG.

[princesslinda]

At one point, my HDL was 23. Doc suggested exercise, fish oil and red wine at bedtime. 3 months later, my HDL was 46...it's 49 now...still can't reach the 50 that is my goal, but i'm close.

I drink dry red wine, just 1/2 glass 3 nights a week. I don't enjoy it, i'd prefer a sweet wine, but it does seem to help the HDL. I also take 3 1200 mg fish oil tablets daily.

[yannah]

my question is always...what meds are you on? and are you comfortable drinking daily on those meds?

[Caravaggio]

I drink wine not for my HDL (though it's good if it helps) but because I like wine. Now, if I don't drink wine, I don't think I'll start drinking just to raise my HDL. There are other ways of raising HDL. You said that you've tried other things but they don't seem to help. Frankly, I don't think wine (even red wine) will actually be all that helpful as well. I don't think I've seen or about studies that actually say that wine will in fact raise your HDL.

My suggestion is, try red wine to see if you like it. If you don't, or if there is a specific reason why you avoid wine, don't start drinking.

[georgepds]

Originally Posted by foxl

Probably okay, but ... look into what component of HDL increases. ..

From ref (4)

"Alcohol consumption was associated with the largest increment in HDL-C (an increase of 9.0-13.1 mg/dL from nondrinker to highest categories)"

My LDL and triglycerides are pretty low.

[fgummett]

Originally Posted by georgepds

From ref (4)

"Alcohol consumption was associated with the largest increment in HDL-C (an increase of 9.0-13.1 mg/dL from nondrinker to highest categories)"

I read that to say that: of the participants included in this self-reporting study, those who were already drinking alcohol had the highest HDL-C.

I don't think it is correct to assume that translates to "starting drinking will raise my HDL-C"

What is that thing Linda says..? "correlation does not prove causation"

It is possible at those drinking the most alcohol were -- as a group -- also doing something else which affected HDL-C

[georgepds]

Originally Posted by princesslinda

At one point, my HDL was 23. Doc suggested exercise, fish oil and red wine at bedtime. 3 months later, my HDL was 46...it's 49 now...still can't reach the 50 that is my goal, but i'm close.

I drink dry red wine, just 1/2 glass 3 nights a week. I don't enjoy it, i'd prefer a sweet wine, but it does seem to help the HDL. I also take 3 1200 mg fish oil tablets daily.

Thanks Linda. I do exercise (walk) and fish oil (probably accounts for the low TG) already. Not decided yet, but I may for that 1/2 glass of wine at bedtime.

I have to search for the paper again, but the effect on post-prandial glucose levels is significant ( positive)

[Caravaggio]

Originally Posted by georgepds

Thanks Linda. I do exercise (walk) and fish oil (probably accounts for the low TG) already. Not decided yet, but I may for that 1/2 glass of wine at bedtime.

I have to search for the paper again, but the effect on post-prandial glucose levels is significant ( positive)

Be wary that for some people wine/alcohol right at or close to bedtime messes up their sleep - not sleeping well or having a restful sleep.

I also do not recommend drinking wine (even 1/2 glass) on an empty stomach. Might be better to have wine with your dinner.