Triglycerides, diet, and alcohol.

[trotsky]

Heart folks, I have a question.

Based on research over the past 60 years, it's pretty clear that alcohol in moderation is darn good for the heart. There was the NY Times article a couple of years back suggesting it might just be the #1 thing you can do to ward off heart disease - even more effective than exercise!

Anyway, I usually have 5-6 drinks per week, but never more than one per day. A beer or small cocktail in the evenings after the kids go to bed, usually.

Now one thing that alcohol usually does, is raise one's triglycerides. Well at my last checkup my tri's were just 55. LDL was 75, HDL 68.

Will continuing to have that many drinks eventually catch up with me? I don't have a family history of heart disease, so I assume I have genetics on my side. Anything else to watch out for? Will my amalgam fillings raise my cholesterol?

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. Your tri numbers are better than mine

and I am a teetotaller. I really think genetics plays a hugh role in this, much more than whether or not you drink. My whole family is carbohydrate sensitive and drinking any form of alchohol plays havoc with glucose levels as well as making me sick, the same thing it did to my grandfather. I'd check with your doctor, but I bet as long as your numbers are this good, ol' Doc will say keep on doin' what you're doin'.

[trotsky]

3. I think you're right.

So much of this depends on the cards we're dealt in the form of our genes. I consider myself pretty lucky to have come from good "stock." Hearty Minnesota farmers. They survived winter on the prairie - it's gonna take something big to do them in!

[Warpy]

2. Probably not harmful

because you're certainly in the category of moderate drinker. I've seen people who claimed one drink a night go into DTs, but the family eventually fessed up that the one drink a night was a whole pint bottle of something distilled. As long as you stick to one ounce of distilled liquor or four ounces of wine or twelve ounces of beer, that's considered one drink. Any more than that is considered kidding yourself.

Your amalgam fillings won't do anything but improve the reception of those mind control rays. A colander hat will alleviate that effect nicely and the upturned feet provide a convenient place to hang seasonal decorations as well as make a jaunty fashion statement.

[trotsky]

5. Yep, that's me.

One drink is plenty for me. A bottle of beer and I'm relaxed. Two and I'm buzzed. Three and look out, I'm table dancing and telling everyone how much I love them. I am SUCH a cheap date.

I like your suggestion on the colander hat. Much more durable than the tinfoil I've been using.

[madrchsod]

4. red wine will help with the arteries

one drink a day sure ain`t going to hurt you. you`ll be fine and make sure you have semi-annually check ups

[Ciggies and coffee]

6. Don't worry about it

Drink and be merry. All of this research is making people worry too much. That will harm your health more than listening to your own body.

[bemildred]

7. Well, let's see:

1.) Alcohol in moderation (2 drinks per diem) is good for you.
2.) Alcohol raises your triglycerides
3.) Therefore, "elevated" trigylcerides as a result of moderate drinking are not bad for you.
QED.

[Orrex]

8. Do your cocktails contain mercury?

Remember--even thinking about mercury is harmful to you!

[trotsky]

10. Don't worry, I'm not thinking about mercury!

Oh shit!

[bloom]

9. I think you should mix whiskey with Diet Coke (aspartame)

and drink it out of a cup with a lead glaze - or you could use a pewter cup - if you can find one.

That's after you have your daily tuna and mercury sandwich, of course. :crazy:


And keep records. We want evidence. We won't believe anything until there is evidence given to us by the manufacturers of the poisons. :eyes:

[Lefty48197]

11. Alcohol definately raises your triglyceride level

I drink a bit more heavily than you do, and my tri's were high a year or two ago, so my Dr. had me quit drinking for a month or so before my next blood test, and sure enough, the numbers dropped to a normal level.