title: The effects of cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption on blood lipids: a dose-related study on men.
abstract: The separate and joint effects of cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption on serum concentrations of total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides were investigated in 46 750 men attending the BUPA Health Screening Centre in London during the period 1983-1987, after allowing for differences in age, body mass index and exercise level. Drinking alcohol was found to raise both total cholesterol and HDL-C concentrations, in such a way that HDL-C as a percentage of total cholesterol increased with increasing alcohol consumption. LDL-C concentrations increased with increasing alcohol consumption in non-smokers, but decreased in those smoking over 10 cigarettes per day. Drinking had no significant effect on triglycerides except at high levels of consumption. Smoking raised total cholesterol, LDL-C and triglycerides, but lowered HDL-C concentrations. In particular, smoking even small amounts could negate any protective benefit in HDL-C concentrations gained from moderate consumption of alcohol. Assuming a desirable lipid profile to consist of low total cholesterol, LDL-C and triglycerides and a high HDL-C value, this is best achieved for men by being a non-smoking moderate drinker.
authors.affiliation: BUPA Research and Clinical Audit, London, UK.
authors.forename: T P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Whitehead
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Allaway
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000097:blood*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D012907:Smoking / Q000097:blood*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D008055:Lipids; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol