Doctor reveals exact age you should consider permanently stopping drinking alcohol
A scientist has said continuing to drink alcohol past a certain age puts you at elevated risk of developing dementia.
Brain expert Dr Richard Restak, author of How to Prevent Dementia: An Expert’s Guide to Long-Term Brain Health, tells all his patients they need to go completely sober before they hit the current UK retirement age.
He wrote in the book: “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.
“I strongly suggest that if you are 65 years old or older, that you completely and permanently eliminate alcohol from your diet."
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The reason, he explained to the Guardian, is that alcohol is 'a very, very weak neurotoxin', something which damages or disrupts the nervous system, including the brain.
And your brain will become more vulnerable to damage as you age.
Dementia UK explains: "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."
Other reasons why drinking alcohol is more dangerous over the age of 65
According to the UK's Institute of Alcohol Studies (IAS), the increased risk of dementia isn't the only reason you should consider going sober at 65.
Because older people lose lean body mass, it affects how alcohol interacts with their body, potentially leading to a higher blood alcohol concentration.
Their livers are also starting to process alcohol more slowly, while a drunken fall aged 65 is an altogether more serious matter than the same at 25.
And by that age, it's more likely you'll be taking some sort of medication which makes drinking a bad idea.
But despite this, a surprising number of older Brits are drinking too much, all when Dr Restak says they should have ditched booze entirely.
In England, more than one in four over 65s drink more than the recommended 14 units of alcohol per week.
And guidance from the Royal College of Psychiatrists states that the upper limit of 14 units may be too high for older adults, 'especially for those who have accompanying physical and mental disorders and who are receiving medication'.
Surprisingly, the IAS found that in the ten years from 2008/2009 to 2018/2019, alcohol-related hospital admissions for over 65s rose faster than for any other age group.
Early symptoms of dementia
According to NHS England, some of the most common early symptoms of dementia include:
- Emotional changes
- Forgetfulness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Struggling to follow a conversation or find the right word
- Being confused about time and places
Other symptoms can include behavioural changes, often related to extreme mood swings or bouts of anxiety and depression.
Additional words by Anish Vij.
Topics: Health, Food And Drink
Lucy Devine
