A doctor has pinpointed the exact age you should stop drinking alcohol to help stave off Alzheimer's, which could be a game-changer if you've been contemplating cutting back. It's common knowledge that alcohol isn't exactly a health food, but as we get older, its effects on our wellbeing become more long-term.
One expert has highlighted when it might be best to quit the booze altogether and provided a compelling reason why. Cutting out alcohol completely could help delay the onset of dementia, according to the Alzheimer's Society, which cites research showing that heavy drinking increases the risk of developing the condition.
Drinking is directly linked to a reduction in white matter in the brain, which can disrupt normal brain function. Dr Richard Restak, author of 'How to Prevent Dementia: An Expert's Guide to Long-Term Brain Health', has shed light on how alcohol can affect your brain, describing it as a 'direct neurotoxin'.
A neurotoxin is a substance that damages, destroys or impairs the functioning of the nervous system. Given the potential harm caused by alcohol consumption, Dr Restak has revealed the age at which you should consider giving up drinking for good, reports the Mirror US.
"Ask yourself, 'why do I drink? ' If the answer is 'because alcohol helps me to elevate my mood and lower my anxiety,' you may be at some peril, and it's probably best to stop altogether," he advised. "I strongly suggest that if you are 65 years old or older, that you completely and permanently eliminate alcohol from your diet."
Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol over a long period can lead to a specific type of dementia, explains Dementia UK. They state: "Alcohol-related brain damage (also known as alcohol-related brain impairment) is caused by drinking alcohol excessively over a prolonged period of time. "It can be caused by a combination of reasons including vitamin B1 deficiency (thiamine), the toxic effects of alcohol on nerve cells, head injury and blood vessel damage."
Limiting intake to a maximum of 14 units per week, spaced out over at least three days, can mitigate the risk of alcohol-induced brain damage. Other essentials include stress management, nutritious eating habits, giving up smoking, regular physical and mental exertion, as well as keeping an eye on blood pressure, cholesterol levels and weight.
