More Evidence Moderate Alcohol Reduces Cognitive Impairment
Pam Harrison
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/740233 April 5, 2011 (Toronto, Ontario) — Heavy alcohol consumption is associated with an increased risk for cognitive impairment, whereas light to moderate alcohol consumption reduces the risk, a new study shows. Leung-Wing Chu, MD, from the University of Hong Kong, China, and colleagues found that the average weekly alcohol consumption in the cognitively impaired was significantly higher at a mean of 861.89 grams per week than that consumed by the normal cognition group at a mean of 241.21 grams per week (P < .001). Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE) scores were also higher for light to moderate drinkers compared with both nondrinkers and heavy drinkers. In this analysis, more than 30 minutes a day of exercise was also independently associated with a 60% lower risk for cognitive impairment vs no exercise, with an adjusted odds ratio of 0.40 (P = .02). Those who reported doing fewer than 30 minutes of exercise a day still had a 48% lower risk for cognitive impairment at an adjusted odds ratio of 0.52 (P = .05). The results were presented here at the Alzheimer's Disease International 26th International Conference. Chinese in Hong Kong For the study, the authors recruited a cross-sectional sample of 314 Southern Chinese older adults (mean age, 79.9 years) in Hong Kong. The MMSE along with participants' social demographic status, the presence of comorbid disease, and alcohol drinking habits were ascertained in a face-to-face interview. Heavy drinkers were defined as individuals who drank in excess of 400 grams of alcohol for men and more than 280 grams of alcohol for women. Light and moderate drinkers consumed less than 400 grams for men and less than 280 grams for women. Brandy containing 45% alcohol would deliver about 21 grams of alcohol in 1 drink: wine at 12% with about 9.6 grams of alcohol per glass and beer at 4% with about 10.5 grams in a can. Based on logistic regression analyses, researchers found that light drinkers had an adjusted odds ratio of 0.28 for cognitive impairment (P = .004), whereas moderate drinkers had an adjusted odds ratio of 0.15 for cognitive impairment (P < .001). In contrast, heavy drinkers had a 4.94 times greater adjusted odds ratio for cognitive impairment (P = .001). "This is a cross-sectional study and we cannot say for sure that there is a link between cause and effect, but in this small study, we found that heavy alcohol consumption is associated with increased risk for cognitive impairment, whereas light to moderate consumption is associated with reduced risk in older Chinese people,” Dr. Chu concluded. Confirmatory Study Session chair, Amos Korczyn, MD, chairman, CONy World Congress on Controversies in Neurology, toldMedscape Medical News that this was another "confirmatory" study that once again demonstrated the harmful effects of heavy drinking on cognition. "We have known for years that in western populations some drinking is good for you and a lot of drinking is very bad for you, so we recommend that everybody drink a glass of wine every day — maybe 2 and maybe even 3 — but beyond that, it is detrimental. Now this has been confirmed among the Chinese, which is also very interesting." Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI) 26th International Conference: Abstract O051. Presented March 28, 2011
Okay - two drinks = 23% then four should = 46% and eight - waitaminnit~! WeHeR’s tH’ gLaSs?????
2 drinks a day ... I’m up to the year 2525 already
“Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) 26th International Conference: Abstract O051. Presented March 28, 2011”
Dammit, how did I forget to attend this conference?
Cliff expounds his "Buffalo Theory" to Norm:
“Well, you see, Norm, it’s like this. A herd of buffalo can only move as fast as the slowest buffalo. And when the herd is hunted, it’s the slowest and weakest ones at the back that are killed first. This natural selection is good for the herd as a whole, because the general speed and health of the whole group keeps improving by the regular killing of the weakest members.
In much the same way, the human brain can only operate as fast as the slowest brain cells. Now, as we know, excessive intake of alcohol kills brain cells. But naturally, it attacks the slowest and weakest brain cells first. In this way, regular consumption of beer eliminates the weaker brain cells, making the brain a faster and more efficient machine.
And that, Norm, is why you always feel smarter after a few beers.”
rarely drink, so what is a good brandy and how can you fix it to make it taste better?
That does it... I’m heading out and get ma’ beer. I earned it today!
That’s good to know...as I sit here with my glass of Chardonnay...
Arguably good for the heart too.
Caffeine and continual learning have also been reported to mitigate the onset of Alzheimer’s.
Thanks Stoat for the twofer, the metanalysis linked to its abstract! You’re a gentleman or a lady plus a scholar.
Thanks Stoat and decimon for the pings.