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.

Alcohol consumption and its relation to cardiovascular risk factors in Germany

“…However, the proportion of cholesterol subfractions may be a more relevant indicator of cardiovascular disease risk. The positive association of alcohol consumption and HDL/total cholesterol ratio observed in this study corresponds to findings observed by others, although there are differences in the strength of the effect (Whitehead et al, 1996;Dimmitt et al, 1998;Nanchahal et al, 2000). …”

Chronic smoking and the BOLD response to a visual activation task and a breath hold task in patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls

“…At first glance, an increased response to a pathological state (heavy smoking) appears anomalous. One possible explanation is related to hematocrit, which is elevated in heavy smokers (Whitehead et al, 1995), as is blood viscosity (Lowe et al, 1980). Increased hematocrit has been associated with elevated BOLD responses (Levin et al, 2001;Gustard et al, 2003).…”

“…Moreover, chronic smoking is linked in several ways to hypertension (Kochar and Bindra, 1996), and to the development of diabetes (Eliasson, 2003). Furthermore, cigarette smoking causes increases in hematocrit and hemoglobin concentration (Whitehead et al, 1995) and blood viscosity (Lowe et al, 1980). Since a number of these effects have been shown to impact the BOLD fMRI signal (Hamzei et al, 2003;Levin et al, 2001;Gustard et al, 2003;Wessels et al, 2006), it was important to look for a potential relationship between the BOLD response to activation tasks and smoking history.…”

System Dynamics Simulation Model for Cardiovascular Heart Disease Risk Factors - Smoking and Alcohol Intake

“…In the tables a smoker is defined as a person currently smoking at least one cigarette per day. Smoking affects the blood lipid profile: serum HDL and LDL cholesterol concentrations have been reported to be lower and higher, respectively, in smokers than in nonsmokers [4]. After cessation of smoking, HDL is observed to increase [5].…”

“…Smoking affects the blood lipid profile: serum HDL and LDL cholesterol concentrations have been reported to be lower and higher, respectively, in smokers than in nonsmokers [20] [21]. On the other hand, moderate alcohol consumption is known to lower the incidence of coronary heart disease [22].…”