Background. Czech Republic belongs to countries with worldwide highest alcohol per capita intake. Although mild intake of alcohol may exhibit protective effects, its abuse is associated with true deleterious consequences for the whole organism. The aim of our study was to assess relation between alcohol intake and several metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors. Methods and Results. In the group of clinically healthy men (n=102, mean age 39.1±10.8 years) complete clinical examination, biochemical work-up and weekly dietary profile assessment were performed. Data were compared using standard statistical tests and linear regression analyses. Participants were divided into 4 groups according to the regular weekly alcohol intake (group 0: <70 g; group 1: 70–210 g; group 2: 211–420 g; group 3: >420 g alcohol/week). We found close relation between alcohol intake and several risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and metabolic syndrome such as WHR, BMI, total caloric intake, blood pressure, serum lipids, or iron metabolites and markers of oxidative stress (AGEs, AOPP). Conclusions. This study proves an important relationship between alcohol intake and risk factors for cardiovascular diseases or metabolic syndrome. Subjects abusing alcohol thus seem not to be only at higher risk for alcohol-mediated liver damage, but also for the cardiovascular and common metabolic diseases.

        Key words: alcohol, biochemical markers, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, liver disease.