Effect of Alcohol Intake on High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Levels in Runners and Inactive Men
- G. Harley Hartung, PhD;
- John P. Foreyt, PhD;
- Robert E. Mitchell, PhD;
- Jacqueline G. Mitchell, MS, RD;
- Rebecca S. Reeves, MPH, RD;
- Antonio M. Gotto Jr, MD
- From the Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine (Drs Hartung, Foreyt, Mitchell, and Gotto and Mss Mitchell and Reeves), and the Sid W. Richardson Institute for Preventive Medicine, The Methodist Hospital (Dr Hartung), Houston. Dr Mitchell is now with the Education and Research Computer Center, University of Texas, Houston.
Abstract
Plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) level was measured before and after alcohol abstinence and after resumption of a controlled alcohol dose in 16 marathon runners, 15 joggers, and 13 inactive men. A three-week period of abstinence resulted in a significant decrease in HDLC concentration in the inactive men (49.8 to 41.8 mg/dL). Three weeks of alcohol consumption (1,065 mL of beer per day) produced a significant increase in HDLC level to 50.9 mg/dL. No change in HDLC level was found for the marathon group or the joggers during abstinence or three weeks of alcohol intake. The consumption of alcohol in moderation seems to be associated with increased HDLC levels in inactive men but not in men who engage in regular running or jogging.
(JAMA 1983;249:747-750)
Footnotes
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Reprint requests to Institute for Preventive Medicine, The Methodist Hospital S-402, Houston, TX 77030 (Dr Hartung).
