Other dietary factors affecting coronary heart disease

Moderate consumption of alcohol (up to 1 drink/day for women and up to 2 drinks/day for men) decreases the risk of CHD, because there is a positive correlation between moderate alcohol (ethanol) consumption and the plasma concentration of HDL-C. However, because of the potential dangers of alcohol abuse, health professionals are reluctant to recommend increased alcohol consumption to their patients. Red wine may provide cardioprotective benefits in addition to those resulting from its alcohol content (for example, red wine contains phenolic compounds that inhibit lipoprotein oxidation). [Note: These antioxidants are also present in raisins and grape juice.] Figure 1 summarizes the effects of dietary fats. [Note: Recent studies (including meta-analyses) have raised questions concerning the current guidelines for dietary fat in the prevention of CHD.]

Figure 1:  Effects of dietary fats. LDL = low-density lipoprotein; HDL =
high-density lipoprotein; DHA = docosahexaenoic acid.