Metabolic Syndrome linked to amount and frequency of alcoholic drinks

"... metabolic syndrome is a cluster of cardiovascular disease risk factors which include high blood pressure, elevated triglycerides, low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), impaired fasting glucose and excess abdominal fat. A diagnosis of metabolic syndrome is made if you have three out of five of these risk factors. Having metabolic syndrome increases the risk for cardiovascular disease," according to a study by Amy Z. Fan, M.D., Ph.D. and Marcia Russell, Ph.D. conducted at the Prevention Research Center, Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, Berkeley, Calif.

At highest risk are women who consume 4 alcoholic drinks each day, and men who consume 6. They have a 60% higher risk of metabolic syndrome than those who have 1 drink a day. Frequency and volume over a long period are both important risk factors.