Health Options Alan Titchenal  & Joannie Dobbs                    Wednesday, July 4 , 2001

Keep alcohol intake low

Alcoholic beverages have the reputation of being both good and bad for your health. The good news about drinking is becoming old news. Several studies have reported that low- to- moderate levels of alcohol consumption reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.

It is thought that alcohol increases HDLs (high density lipoproteins), the so-called "good" cholesterol, and helps prevent formation of blood clots that could block a narrowed coronary artery and cause a heart attack. Some types of alcohol may also supply minerals, such as the zinc in red wines.

But alcohol is a drug, and like all drugs, must be taken in the right dose to have any beneficial effect. Moderate consumption is typically defined as one drink a day or less for women and no more than two drinks a day for men. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism further recommends that those 65 and older limit their consumption to one drink per day -- and that assumes that the person is not taking medications requiring abstinence.

Even if you don't drink much, it is important to remember that alcohol can interact adversely with some drugs. And if you consume alcohol daily, it would be prudent to refrain from using Tylenol (acetaminophen) within 24 to 48 hours of drinking to decrease the risk of liver damage.

The negative effects of alcohol become apparent moderate levels of consumption are exceeded. Typical "hangover symptoms" are often worn as a badge of courage by many less responsible drinkers. And the risk of dying from car accidents and violence increase at higher levels of consumption.

How fast a person consumes alcohol or how hydrated or dehydrated they are may also determine the safety of alcohol. For a small person consuming two drinks in an hour, blood-alcohol content could exceed the legal limit. Those same two drinks consumed over two or three hours would have a lesser effect because the liver has time to metabolize the alcohol.

Other potential health risks of long-term moderate- to- excessive drinking may be more serious. The risk of hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding into the brain) increases, as does the risk of various types of cancer, especially breast cancer.

Increasingly high levels of alcohol consumption can cause problems with liver disease, increased risks for pancreatitis, heart degeneration, high blood pressure and diseases of the nervous system.

For some people, the benefits of alcoholic beverages are not worth the risks. Almost one out of 10 people in the United States meets the diagnostic criteria for alcohol abuse or alcoholism. Consequently, more than half of American adults have a close family member who is alcoholic.

Should everyone consume a glass of alcohol daily for health reasons? No. Should everyone abstain? No. As with so many things in life, moderation is likely the best road. And, of course, remember to refrain from smoking, include regular exercise and a healthy diet, and laugh to promote immune system health.