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Excessive alcohol intake is associated with an elevated risk of alcoholic liver disease (ALD), heart failure, some cancers, and accidental injury, and is a leading cause of preventable death in industrialized countries. However, extensive research has shown that moderate alcohol intake is associated with health benefits, including less cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, and lower all-cause mortality. An understanding of the inverse relationship between alcohol consumption and atherosclerosis was understood as early as 1904. The observation of a lower risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in France despite a diet rich in saturated fat was labeled the French Paradox. While much concerning this paradox remains unclear, some have suggested that the higher consumption of red wine in France results in lower CVD. Although the reduced incidence of CVD disease associated with moderate alcohol consumption is well established,〔Paul E Ronksley, Susan E Brien, Barbara J Turner, Kenneth J Mukamal, William A Ghali "Association of alcohol consumption with selected cardiovascular disease outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis" ''BMJ'' 2011;342:d671〕 many physicians have been wary of promoting the use of alcohol for this benefit considering the many negative effects of excessive alcohol consumption. ==Possible mechanisms of alcohol cardioprotection== Extensive epidemiological studies have demonstrated the cardioprotective effect of alcohol consumption. However the mechanism by which this occurs is not fully understood. Research has suggested several possible mechanisms,〔 This paper appears to say nothing about alcohol〕 including the following. :I. Alcohol improves blood lipid profile. ::A. It increases HDL ("good") cholesterol. ::B. It decreases LDL ("bad") cholesterol. ::C. It improves cholesterol (both HDL and LDL) particle size :II. Alcohol decreases thrombosis (blood clotting). ::A. It reduces platelet aggregation. ::B. It reduces fibrinogen (a blood clotter). ::C. It increases fibrinolysis (the process by which clots dissolve). :III. Alcohol acts through additional ways. ::A. It reduces coronary artery spasm in response to stress. ::B. It increases coronary blood flow. ::C. It reduces blood pressure. ::D. It reduces blood insulin level. ::E. It increases estrogen levels There is a lack of medical consensus about whether moderate consumption of beer, wine, or distilled spirits has a stronger association with heart disease. Studies suggest that each is effective, with none having a clear advantage. Most researchers now believe that the most important ingredient is the alcohol itself. The American Heart Association has reported that "More than a dozen prospective studies have demonstrated a consistent, strong, dose-response relation between increasing alcohol consumption and decreasing incidence of CHD (coronary heart disease). The data are similar in men and women in a number of different geographic and ethnic groups. Consumption of one or two drinks per day is associated with a reduction in risk of approximately 30% to 50%".〔 Heart disease is the largest cause of mortality in the United States and many other countries. Therefore, some physicians have suggested that patients be informed of the potential health benefits of drinking alcohol in moderation, especially if they abstain and alcohol is not contraindicated. Others, however, argue against the practice in fear that it might lead to heavy or abusive alcohol consumption. Heavy drinking is associated with a number of health and safety problems. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Alcohol and cardiovascular disease」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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