In Dr. Restak’s book, How to Prevent Dementia, the neurologist and author revealed that drinking alcohol — especially in large quantities and regularly — can harm your brain health. It’s a “direct neurotoxin,” he explained.
Indeed, since alcohol can be so damaging to our memory, he suggests people of all ages reconsider their relationship with alcohol.
“Ask yourself, ‘Why am I drinking?’ “If the answer is ‘because alcohol helps improve my mood and reduce my anxiety,’ you may be in some danger, and it’s probably best to stop altogether,” he said. stated in his book.
Although you “probably have less to worry about” if you drink wine for social pleasure or tasting reasons, the neurologist nevertheless recommends a stopping point for drinkers.
“I strongly suggest, if you are 65 or older, completely and permanently eliminate alcohol from your diet,” says Dr. Restak.
Why 65?
This is partly linked to the risk of falling.
Although it’s a lower risk factor for Alzheimer’s than heavy smoking, Dr. Restak says alcohol can still damage your memory, but its effects may be worse on your hips.
“Alcohol should also be considered in the context of frequent falls in the elderly,” specifies the doctor.
“Mortality rates due to falls are increasing, particularly among older men,” he emphasizes, adding that deaths jumped 30% between 2007 and 2016. Falls are responsible for 70% of accidental deaths among people. 70 years or older, he said.
It is therefore advisable to limit consumption after age 65, especially if “you are already dealing with other factors contributing to falls, such as reduced strength, muscle atrophy, balance problems and taking medications. In this case, drinking alcohol can be particularly dangerous.
How else does alcohol affect the brain?
Yes, there is a special type of dementia that results solely from overconsumption of alcohol.
This disease, known as Korsakoff syndrome, is “marked by severe loss of recent memory” and “results from the direct effect of alcohol on the brain,” explains Dr. Restak.
This is because your thiamine levels drop, meaning that “within an hour, a normally functioning heavy drinker can become confused, lose balance, stagger, and fall.” The memory of recent events is most affected,” the doctor said.
People with this condition may also fill their memory with “confabulations,” Dr. Restak points out — meaning if they forgot what they were doing on Tuesday and you tell them you saw them at a party fairground that day, they will accompany and even embellish the story (no lie, they really believe it).
Overconsumption of alcohol can also affect vitamin B12 levels, which are good for your brain, says Dr. Restak.
Alright, alright, I’ll keep January dry…
