Abstract:There is marked increase in our knowledge about the role of the environmental factors in the global dimensions of the noncommunicable diseases (NCD) including cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Recent studies indicate that there is coexistence of nutritional deficiencies and appreciable over-nutrition in association with sedentary behavior due to urbanization and industrialization. Environmental factors including helio-magnetic fluctuations may result into inflammatory dysfunctions in various biological systems. These dysfunctions can manifest in the form of central obesity and overweight in developing countries as well as in high income countries. The Global Burden of Disease Study clearly showed that the gratifying gains in cardiovascular health occurred in developed countries, in association with an epidemic of CVD in the developing world. Singh et al., proposed, modifying the previous hypothesis, that overweight comes first in conjunction with inflammation, hyperinsulinemia, increased angiotensin activity, vascular variability disorders and central obesity followed by glucose intolerance, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, low HDL and hypertriglyceridemia (Metabolic syndrome).This sequence is followed by coronary artery disease(CAD), gall stones and cancers and finally dental caries, gastrointestinal diseases, bone and joint diseases, degenerative diseases of the brain and psychological disorders, during transition from poverty to affluence. It seems that all the NCDs are mediated by inflammation due to interaction of biological systems with environmental factors, including heliomagnetic fluctions. As people become rich, they begin to increase their intake of proinflammatory refined foods; dietary w-6 and trans fat, salt and sugar in the form of ready prepared foods, syrups, dairy products and flesh foods in place of grain and vegetable based diet. There is a greater use of automobiles, television vewing and decrease in sports, walking and dancing as recreation which also enhances the inflammation, dyslipidemia and obesity. These changes in the diet and lifestyle in conjunction with mental strain, and increase in tobacco and alcohol intake as well as heliomagnetic fluctuations, appear to be primary risk factors in the pathogenesis of inflammation and dyslipidemia leading to NCDs.
Alcohol appears to be a double-edged sword because moderate alcohol intake is protective whereas drinking more than 10 drinks in a week appears to have adverse effects on morbidity and mortality. Recently, the exponential nature of the relation between average alcohol consumption and mortality has been demonstrated in Russia. This study revealed that substantial numbers of people report drinking three or more half-litre bottles of vodka per week. However, the exponential curves for dose-response relations between average volume of alcohol consumption and the mortality risk of various diseases is not fully explained. The variation in mortality may be due to presence of confounders such as physical activity, greater consumption of fish and salads which are rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids and polyphenolics. It is possible that patients with type 2 diabetes, moderate alcohol use , particularly wine consumption, is associated with reduced risks of cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality. Serge C. Renaud gave the definition of the French paradox and suggested that the inhibition of platelet reactivity by wine may be one explanation for protection from CAD in France. It is known that aging of alcohol also increases 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity and therefore moderate drinking of aged whisky and other alcoholic drinks in moderation may provide beneficial effects. Excess of alcohol intake causes decreases in vitamin B1, B6 and B12 as well as in folic acid, antioxidants vitamins A,E ,C and beta carotene, flavonoids, amino acids, coenzyme Q10, l-carnitine, omega-3 fatty acids as well as in minerals magnesium, potassium, calcium, copper, zinc, chromium and selenium. Alcoholism also has a direct adverse effects on cell membrane, mitochondria and genes. Alcoholic cirrhosis, fatty liver, cardiomyopathy, hypertriglyceridemia, hyperuricemia, oxidative stress and inflammation are well known adverse effects of alcoholism. It also damages the brain causing dementia, depression and psychosis. However, moderate alcohol intake up to 10 drinks per week may have beneficial effects on the risk of all these problems. Moderate alcohol intake increases HDL-C, and decreases C-reactive proteins, IL-6, TNF-alpha, Lp (a), plasminogen activator inhibiter-1, insulin resistance which are risk markers of CVDs, type 2 diabetes and cancer. These beneficial effects are enhanced by omega-3 fatty acids and polyphenolics that are rich in Mediterranean style diets. Vodka and spirits can be made healthly if enriched with fish oil or alpha-linolenic acid (rich source of w-3) and cocoa (flavanol) which can repair this deficiency. It is like a cleaning drink for the all the organs of the body. If standard Vodka is 40% alcohol, then we need +/-1-g DHA per 500-ml bottle.
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