Is it better to drink than not to drink at all?

Excessive alcohol consumption can cause a number of diseases: arterial hypertension, alcoholic myocardial degeneration, polyneuropathy, encephalopathy, obesity, fatty liver.

“Is it true that it’s better to drink a little alcohol than not drink at all?”
Natalya, Syktyvkar

– Excessive alcohol consumption can cause a number of diseases: arterial hypertension, alcoholic myocardial degeneration, polyneuropathy, encephalopathy, obesity, fatty liver. At the same time, back in 1994, an epidemiological study in England provided data on a U-shaped relationship between mortality and alcohol consumption. That is, the lowest mortality rate was recorded among people who drink so-called low-alcohol drinks in small quantities - 150-200 ml of beer, 100-150 ml of wine no more than 3-4 times a week. Slightly higher rates are among those who do not drink at all and maximum values ​​among those who abuse alcohol. However, in Russia, due to the high prevalence of alcohol abuse, it is hardly possible to recommend drinking alcohol for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes.

“I constantly read and hear about atherosclerosis. Please explain where it can arise and how it manifests itself?”
Olga, Arkhangelsk

– Atherosclerosis is a diffuse focal lesion of the aorta and arteries of large and medium caliber, that is, coronary, carotid, intracerebral, arteries of the lower extremities. Atherosclerosis is manifested by thickening of the vascular wall and the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. As it progresses, clinical manifestations arise. The main complication of atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries is a group of ischemic heart diseases - angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, rhythm disturbances, heart failure. Damage to the main arteries of the brain is manifested by symptoms of chronic ischemia with the subsequent development of atherosclerotic encephalopathy and stroke. Atherosclerosis of the arteries of the lower extremities is accompanied by numbness, chilliness of the lower extremities, limitation of the pace and “volume” of walking; without treatment, the disease progresses and can result in gangrene of the lower extremities.