The results of recent studies suggest that
regular, moderate consumption of alcohol may lower the risk of
cardiovascular disease. Now, in a meta-analysis published in the
December 11, 2006 issue of AMA journal Archives
of Internal Medicine, investigators at the Research
Laboratories of the Catholic University of Campobasso in Italy
concluded that moderate drinking is associated with a reduction in
all-cause mortality over the time periods examined.
Augusto Di Castelnuovo and Colleagues
reviewed 34 studies that examined the effects of the drinking habits
of over a million individuals on all-cause mortality. Although
excessive alcohol consumption was shown to increase mortality during
the periods studied, there was a reduction among men in deaths from
all causes associated with drinking two to four drinks per day. For
women, the protective effect ended above two drinks per day. "It
might be a fact linked to the metabolism,” explained Licia
Iacoviello, who is the head of the Laboratory of Genetic and
Environmental Epidemiology where the research was conducted. “We
know that women metabolize alcohol in a different way and the blood
concentration reaches higher levels. Therefore, consuming more than
two doses might lead to several harmful effects, such as liver
diseases or increased risk of certain forms of tumor."
Although researchers have proposed that
the protective effect of moderate drinking may be due to associated
lifestyle factors, the authors of the current study found that even
after controlling for these factors the benefit associated with
moderate alcohol consumption remained. "We’ve carefully
examined this aspect, Di Castelnuovo stated. “Our data suggest that,
even considering all main confounding factors (as dietary habits,
physical activity or the health of people studied), a moderate
consumption of alcoholic beverages keeps on showing a real positive
effect".
The review also determined that the
protective benefit of alcohol is greater for European than American
men, which could be explained by the way in which alcohol is consumed,
since European men are likelier than Americans to drink wine with a
meal. "The core of this study is not just about alcohol,”
Catholic University Research Laboratories director Giovanni de Gaetano
stated. “It is also the way we drink that makes the difference:
little amounts, preferably during meals, this appears to be the right
way. This is another feature of the Mediterranean
diet, where alcohol,
wine above all, is the ideal partner of a dinner or lunch, but
that’s all: the rest of the day must be absolutely alcohol-free.
The
message carried by scientific studies like ours is simple: alcohol can
be a respectful guest on our table, but it is good just when it goes
with a healthy lifestyle, where moderation leads us toward a
consumption inspired by quality not by quantity.”
Alcohol-Induced Hangover
The consumption of alcohol results in
the formation of two very toxic compounds, acetaldehyde and
malondialdehyde. These compounds generate massive free-radical damage
to cells throughout the body. The free-radical damage generated by
these alcohol metabolites creates an effect in the body similar to
that caused by radiation poisoning. That is the reason why people feel
so sick the day after consuming too much alcohol. If the proper
combination of antioxidants is taken at the time the alcohol is
consumed or before the inebriated individual goes to bed, the hangover
and much of the cellular damage caused by alcohol may be prevented.
Nutrients that may neutralize alcohol
byproducts and protect cells against the damaging effects of alcohol
include vitamin C, vitamin B1, the amino acids S-allyl-cysteine and
glutathione, vitamin E, and selenium (Sprince et al. 1975; Hell et al.
1976; Loguercio et al. 1993; van Zandwijk 1995; Marotta et al. 2001).
There are several commercial preparations that can be taken at the
time the alcohol is consumed or before bedtime to help prevent a
hangover. One of these is called Anti-Alcohol Antioxidants.
The
ingredients in this formula may help prevent hangover while possibly providing
protection against the damaging byproducts of alcohol metabolism.
Those who drink routinely might
consider taking at least 500 mg a day of a special milk thistle
extract called silibinin, which may have a protective effect on the
liver (Flora et al. 1998).
Editors
Note: For those with addictions, an additional consideration
is to use kudzu
and d,l phenylalanine in association
with l-glutamine for lessening the desire
for alcohol and carbohydrates. Lithium
orotate also shows promise in the addictions arena along with n-acetyl
l-cysteine
(NAC) for gambling addictions and/or other addictive behavior support.
There seems to be a synergistic relationship with all of these
combined compared to any one single nutrient alone.
In addition, activated
charcoal/bentonite clay is the preferred choice for detoxification
of toxic substances and other poisons that can build-up in our bodies.
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