After a long summer break, which I really enjoyed, I am back to writing. The topic is very interesting this time.
“Quit smoking and start drinking”
How many of health care providers have advised this to their patients? the answer is a lot and much more than you might think! It’s almost like choosing between the two devils? or the lesser evil? But some times you have to make a decision! I am not at all implying that drinking alcohol is good for health or being its advocate but my blogs almost always toggle with controversies and also tend to ‘question the obvious’! Anything not done is moderation is bad for you is what I believe. Primary reason it was advised was for DVT patients as drinking increase blood circulation. What I remember from Med school is that smoking increases the risk of DVT (deep vein thrombosis) and causes blood vessels to constrict even so more in the affected population and alcohol increases general blood circulation due to dilation of vessels so a patient will prevent incidences of a fatal blood clot if he or she quits smoking and actually take up drinking, much so in moderation.
Having said that.....first lets look at the ill effects of smoking.
Cigarette smoking has been identified as the most important source of preventable morbidity and premature mortality in the United States and the world. Smoking-related diseases cause an estimated 440,000 American deaths each year. Smoking costs the United States over $150 billion annually in health care costs. A 2004 Study by the CDC's National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion found that cigarette smoke contains over 4,800 chemicals, 69 of which are known to cause cancer. Women account for 39 percent of all smoking deaths!
The worst thing about smoking is the second hand smoke, which is just as much of a killer as active smoking! especially in Children, elderly and even the pets. (source: CDC)
Lets look at drinking…now drinking socially is different than alcoholism and I want to differentiate between the two before I talk about drinking and its "positive effects" so to speak.
So let say that excess alcohol can increase your risk of: Liver disease, High blood pressure, High blood fats (triglycerides), Heart failure, Stroke, Fetal alcohol syndrome (if you're pregnant), Certain cancers, Injury, violence, and death. And, drinking too much alcohol can increase empty calories and that can lead to weight gain too.
The following group of people should never drink.
- · Pregnant and breast-feeding women
- · Women at risk for breast cancer
- · People with family histories of alcohol abuse
- · Children and adolescents
- · People taking medications that can interact with alcohol
- · Those with health conditions such as liver problems or ulcers
- · Anyone requiring skill or coordination to perform a task
·
Hmmm………………WOW!
Well, scientists also have long talked about the health benefits of drinking small amounts of alcohol. Studies done lately have credited moderate drinking with almost everything like from helping to keep the minds sharp, lowering the risk of diabetes. Alcohol's good effects on the heart health for both men and women can now be substantiated. Studies show that moderate drinking can raise levels of "good cholesterol," which helps prevent harmful blood clots and helps keep blood flowing smoothly through our bodies, reducing risks of heart attack and stroke. (Source: Dr Eric Rimm). Given he fact that 55% of population in USA drink alcohol. That’s what I was taking about!
In fact, moderate drinking can increase "good cholesterol" levels by as much as 20%, if it's accompanied by a healthy diet and regular physical activity”, per Harvard researcher (Eric Rimm, Dr.)
Recent research also suggests that women who enjoy a little alcohol may be more likely to keep their minds sharp as they age. A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine earlier this year evaluated the mental abilities of 12,480 women aged 70-81. The researchers found that moderate drinkers had a 23% reduced risk of mental decline compared with nondrinkers.
And for our non drinker friends………Eating a healthy diet, Exercising, Quitting smoking, Maintaining a healthy weight can do the trick without ever raising the glass. So there is hope for non drinkers too.
So Alcohol...What Type, How Much, and When?
Dr. Rimm, who has reviewed several large studies, has found a delicate balance between the risks and benefits of alcohol and According to the experts, it doesn't make too much difference whether you prefer wine, beer, or spirits. "The research evidence points to ethanol or the alcohol component of beer, wine, or spirits, as the real substance that help the body”. (Eric Rimm Dr.)
The U.S. Dietary Guidelines and the American Heart Association define moderate drinking as one drink for women and two for men per day, not averaged over the week. (One drink is defined as 5 ounces of wine, 12 ounces of beer, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof)
So I would not say that “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” has been replaced with “ A drink a day keeps the doctor away” but I guess we can see the benefits here!
Cheers……..
And I have started an open public Facebook page called: Dr. Vik Ahluwalia. You can “like” that page and get regular updates on many topics and of course a link to both of my blogs. Thanks a lot.
~Dr.V
