A number of variables factor into your cholesterol levels -- some raise them while others help lower them. Alcohol is one of these factors, effecting different types of cholesterol in different ways. Understanding cholesterol is key to understanding the effect alcohol may have. Seek the advice of your doctor if you consume alcohol.
Types
LDL -- low-density lipoprotein -- is the major carrier of cholesterol in your body, and builds up in the walls of your arteries when excess amounts circulate in your blood. This increases your risk of heart disease, giving LDL the reputation of bad cholesterol.
HDL -- high-density lipoprotein -- travels through your blood, carrying LDL away from your arteries and transporting it from your body, according to the American Heart Association. This reduces your risk of heart disease. Healthy HDL levels are 60 mg/dL or higher; anything lower, and HDL is unable to effectively reduce the amount of LDL.
Triglycerides are a chemical form of fat that exists in both your body and the food you eat. They also form plasma fats in combination with cholesterol. High triglycerides can contribute to heart disease, just as high levels of LDL and low levels of HDL can.
Alcohol has varying effects on all three of these types of cholesterol.
Benefits
Alcohol can increase low levels of HDL, on average, by 4 mg/dL, according to eMedTV. In moderate amounts, alcohol can protect against heart disease and stroke, and may reduce the risk of heart or blood vessel related death between 25 and 40 percent. A moderate amount for a woman is one drink per day, while two drinks per day is safe for a man.
Serving Size
If your idea of one drink is the 24-oz. lager your local bar is running a special on, hold that glass. Health care professionals consider a 12-oz. beer, 5-oz. glass of wine, 1 1/2-oz. of 80-proof liquor or 1-oz. of 100-proof spirits to be one drink. If you choose to drink alcohol, stay within the recommended guidelines to prevent health problems associated with alcohol consumption.
Risk Factors
Alcohol does not lower high levels of LDL, and actually increases triglycerides by approximately 6 percent. If you drink more than the recommended amount, you can damage your liver, brain and heart, and can raise your blood pressure. It can also lead to alcoholism and obesity, according to the American Heart Association.
Warning
The American Heart Association warns that while alcohol may increase your HDL, its benefits are not great enough to recommend using it as a means of cholesterol treatment. Do not begin drinking if you do not already do so just to increase your HDL, and always consult your doctor before changing or adding a method of treatment.
