Diet and Nutrition

Alcohol & cholesterol

05/01/2008 04:40PM

Question:

Can you drink alcohol on a diet to lower cholestrol?

Answer:

Drinking alcohol in moderation (2 drinks for men and 1 drink for women) is usually fine, but this depends upon your health and the medications you may be on. If your goal it to specifically use alcohol as a way to lower cholesterol, I would not recommend this. Alcohol is a toxin and even though red wine is often said to help raise the "good cholesterol" (HDL) levels, there are more effective and healthy ways of lowering the "bad cholesterol" (LDL) while raising HDL. To raise HDL you should maintain a healthy body weight, be physically active daily, and avoid smoking. To lower the LDL, it is helpful to limit meat portions to 5 -6 ounces per day, avoid high fat foods such as whole & 2% milk, cheeses, butter, cream, lard, palm oil, coconut oil and cocoa butter. In addition, avoid trans fats found in highly processed foods and "partially hydrogenated" oils. Making these healthy lifestyle changes are the best way to help reduce your risk of heart disease. For more individualized information, please speak with your doctor and consider making an appointment with a registered dietitian.

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Response by:

Jane Korsberg, MS, RD, LD
Instructor
Department of Nutrition
School of Medicine
Case Western Reserve University