Drinking moderate amounts of wine, especially red, may lower the risk of heart disease, studies have shown. But researchers have not determined whether it’s the alcohol or something else in wine that protects the heart.

So Dr. Martin Bobak of the University College London in England and colleagues compared the drinking habits of 735 healthy men with 206 men who had recently suffered a heart attack, in a population-based case-control study. They were between 25- and 64-years-old, lived in the Czech Republic, and drank on average 148 grams of alcohol per week. Beer was their beverage of choice, as opposed to wine or spirits, almost exclusively.

The researchers grouped the men according to their average weekly intake of beer: non-drinkers and those who drank less than about 18 grams of alcohol; men who drank between 18 to 144 grams; those who drank 145 to 324 grams; and men who consumed over 325 grams.

The men least likely to have a heart attack drank daily or almost daily, consuming four to nine liters of beer per week, which is 145 to 324 grams of alcohol (or about 15 beers a week at 12 ounces each), the researchers write in a letter in the May 20 British Medical Journal. “This was true even when men with a history of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, or cancer were excluded from the analysis,” the researchers report.

As other studies have shown, heavy drinkers didn’t benefit from alcohol. Men who drank twice a day had the same risk of having a heart attack as non-drinkers, the researchers report.

“These results support the view that the protective effect of alcohol intake is due to ethanol rather than to specific substances present in different types of beverages,” the team concludes. For example, wine contains molecules called flavanoids that are thought to be cardioprotective.

Could people who drink alcohol have something in common that protects them against heart disease, other than their consumption of ethanol? “It is unlikely, for one many studies have ruled out other factors, such as diet. Secondly, “there is good experimental evidence that alcohol influences blood lipids and
blood clotting, both of which influence heart disease,” he said. Alcohol may raise levels of HDL (”good”) cholesterol.

Bad news for non-drinkers: the chemical characteristics of ethanol can’t be added to pills

It is true that alcohol in moderation appears to protect against heart disease. This may be due to the effect on blood lipids. But alcohol also raises blood pressure significantly, which increases the risk of stroke, heart attack and kidney disease. People should not begin drinking in order to decrease their risk of heart disease.”

While there are many health issues that are universal concerns for men, women and children,
there are also a variety of health concerns that specifically to men and affect a man’s
overall health. Issues such as arthritis, heart disease, prostate cancer and other forms of
cancer, sexual health and vigor all comprise the top concerns men face today. And,
unfortunately, most, but not all, are age related. As a man ages he is subject to several conditions that can affect his mortality. The most
common cause of morbidity in the aging man is cardiovascular disease, be it heart attack or
stroke. The second leading cause of death is cancer, and we currently do not know exactly why. This
may be due to the oxidative stress that our bodies are under, and the inability of our diets
to provide us with enough antioxidants to combat these effects. This all get worse as we get
older, in particular, prostate cancer seems to be on the rise. The cause of this is
uncertain. Part of it may be related to improvements made in early diagnosis of the disease.
There is an obvious correlation with prostate cancer and aging. Men suffer drastic hormonal changes as we get older, usually after the age of 35. Prostatic
enlargement known as BPH (Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy) is becoming the fastest growing
health concern men face today. BPH is in large part related to hormonal changes that occur
with aging which relates to male hormonal function (androgens). Significant BPH can lead to
obstruction of urinary function and potential renal failure if untreated. BPH has been
reported in over 90% of men over the age of 85, although it is relatively uncommon before
the age of 35. The incidence and prevalence of osteoarthritis increase as we age as well. Painful swollen
joints, caused by the deterioration of cartilage between bones occur, as well as decreased
pain free range of motion. But, as we mentioned earlier, not all health issues are age related. Men, in their youth
and prime, are very active. Maintaining that level energy and vigor is of great concern to
men of all ages. A well rounded, nutritionally balanced diet is essential to a man’s
readiness and ability to perform well, on the field, court even in the bedroom. It just makes sense that better nutrition consumption would results in better performance, and nutritional deficiencies can often result in poor performance, decreased endurance, early fatigue, or inability to perform to your optimal levels of activity. maintaining adequate amounts of vitamins and antioxidants It is essential to optimal health and vitality. B vitamins help minimize the risk of heart disease and stroke by decreasing levels of homocysteine. Antioxidants are important to combat the diseases of aging, to minimize oxidation of cholesterol (which can lead to heart attack) and to maintain proper immune function. Any active male should be very watchful of there dietary intake. The research shows that strenuous athletic activity and or exercise can and will rapidly deplete the essential nutrient your body needs to perform daily functions properly. IN these cases,
vitamins, minerals and other supplements may be necessary to help improve performance.