Numerous studies have shown that alcohol can wreak havoc on your brain cells, significantly upping your chances of developing Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia later in life. If you’re worried about dementia and want to keep your mind sharp, it’s better to abstain from drinking. But at what age should you strictly refrain from drinking?
Starting at age 65, it is preferable to stop drinking to prevent Alzheimer’s disease in old age. Dr. Richard Restak, a neuroscientist, drops some serious knowledge in his book How to Prevent Dementia, warning that alcohol becomes a major dementia risk factor from this age onwards.
According to Dr. Restak, the risk of developing dementia increases fivefold from age 65, and the risk increases every five years thereafter. He’s adamant that quitting alcohol is non-negotiable for keeping your brain in top shape, especially if you’re 65 or older.
Additionally, studies have shown that drinking alcohol raises the risk of dementia. Drinking was listed as one of the 15 risk factors for dementia in a study conducted by the Universities of Exeter in the United Kingdom and Maastricht University in the Netherlands.
Moreover, Dr. Michael Schwarzinger and his team from the French Society of Health Economics found that alcohol abuse increases the risk of dementia by more than three times.
Dr. Restak calls alcohol a “neurotoxin.” It’s like kryptonite for your brain cells, potentially leading to memory lapses and those dreaded blackouts. In the long run, you could be looking at alcohol-induced dementia. Even a seemingly innocent drink or two a week could damage your brain.
Alcohol is also a total buzzkill for vitamin B12 absorption, which is crucial for keeping your brain and nerves healthy. The booze messes with your stomach and intestines, making it harder for your body to soak up that essential B12, potentially ramping up your Alzheimer’s risk.
Those over 65 are also at a higher risk of falling as a result of alcohol consumption. Falling accidents cause 70% of all accidental deaths among people over 70, with the death rate from these accidents being exceptionally high among older men. Dr. Restak explains that losing muscle mass increases our risk of falling, making sobriety even more crucial.
The dementia situation in South Korea is equally concerning. According to the Central Dementia Center, there are 1.05 million dementia patients over 65 years old, meaning that 1 in 10 people have dementia. This number is expected to increase rapidly to 1.42 million in 2030 and 3.15 million in 2050.
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