#425: Alcohol Consumption

Dr. Tedd Mitchell, president of Cooper Clinic, discusses the study reported in the American Journal of Medicine March 2008 issue, "Adopting Moderate Alcohol Consumption in Middle Age: Subsequent Cardiovascular Events.? This study tries to answer the question of whether or not a non-drinker should consider moderate drinking as part of their health habits. Historically, Cooper Clinic has counseled patients who drink to limit their drinking to one to two drinks per day (one for women, two for men), with the recommendation that "if you don't drink, don't start.? The study examined individuals 45 to 64 years of age who started drinking. The study found that after four years of follow-up, new moderate drinkers (less than one drink per day, per woman, or less than two drinks per day, per man) had a 38 percent lower chance of developing cardiovascular disease than their non-drinking counterparts.. One drink was defined as 12 ounces beer, 5 ounces wine, or 1 1/2 ounces liquor. The study also found that very few of the new drinkers had any issues related to alcohol consumption. Dr. Mitchell discusses how the therapeutic window for alcohol is small - a little bit is beneficial while a lot can be harmful. It's important to remember that the problem is the amount of alcohol that gets us in trouble isn't much more than the amount that's shown to provide health benefits. Dr. Mitchell advises, "If you'll think of alcohol like any other drug, there's a certain dose that might be helpful."