Influence of Alcohol Consumption, Smoking, and Exercise Habits on Blood Lipoprotein Concentrations in 9256 Healthy Japanese Adults

Among the risk profile for atherosclerotic diseases, blood lipoproteins play an important role. Hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia may enhance atherosclerosis, while high concentrations of HDL cholesterol have protective functions [1]. The individual lipoprotein patterns are, among other factors, subject to sex, age, obesity, physical activity, alcohol consumption, and smoking habits. Many reports have been published in Western countries assessing the impact of these factors on blood lipoproteins [2–8], but little is known about Japan. Blood lipid patterns in Japan differ from those in other industrialized nations. Total cholesterol levels are lower by about 30 mg/dl, HDL cholesterol levels are higher by about 10 mg/dl, and triglyceride levels are lower by about 50 mg/dl [9].