Alcohol Consumption and High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol in Marathon Runners

Abstract

BOTH alcohol consumption^{1 , 2} and physical activity³ are inversely related to coronary heart disease. In addition, both are positively associated with increased levels of high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), ^{4 5 6 7 8} high levels of which protect against coronary heart disease.⁹ However, the association between alcohol consumption and HDL-C has not been examined among persons who are likely to have increased HDL-C levels because they engage in physical activity. The finding of a positive association would suggest that the relation between alcohol use and HDL-C could not be explained by a tendency of people who drink alcohol to exercise more.To examine the interrelations between alcohol . . .