Posted on 07/29/2022 12:46:52 PM PDT by Red Badger
A comprehensive new Oxford study has added to the growing body of research highlighting the health effects of alcohol. The large-scale genetic analysis suggests that alcohol consumption directly accelerates aging, by shortening telomeres.
Alcohol is among the most widely used recreational drugs, so it’s extremely important to examine its health impacts. Unfortunately, various studies have revealed that alcohol permanently damages DNA, directly causes cancer, contributes to cognitive decline and early-onset dementia, and can shrink the brain to the equivalent of 10 years of aging. And now a new study has found more evidence that alcohol consumption can accelerate biological aging.
Telomeres are repetitive sequences of DNA that form protective caps on the tips of chromosomes. Every time a cell divides, a section of these “junk” sequences is lost, and eventually telomeres wear away enough that useful DNA starts to be affected. This causes the cell to stop dividing, and contributes to many of the biological signs of aging. As such, telomere length is often used as a biomarker for aging.
In the new study, researchers from Oxford Population Health examined the association between alcohol intake and telomere length, using data from over 245,000 people taking part in the UK Biobank project. To investigate any potential causation, the team used a genetic technique known as Mendelian Randomization (MR), which looks at variations in certain genes – in this case, some that had previously been linked to alcohol consumption and alcohol use disorders.
In the MR analysis, the team found a clear link between high alcohol intake and shorter telomeres – drinking 32 units of alcohol (about 11 glasses of wine) per week showed telomere shortening equivalent to around three years of aging, compared to those who drank 10 units.
(Excerpt) Read more at newatlas.com ...
She could be going blind.
This is an old, funny yet sobering (pun intended) skit about the 5 levels of drinking.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJdzoY-Wsc8
That’s a classic!
“She could be going blind.”
Well, she DOES need to up her scrip.
Nonsense!
Everyone knows that alcohol is a great preservative.
Look at Nancy Pelosi.
Yeah - alcoholics. Prayers for them.
I’m not even 60 and don’t feel a day over 100.
Cheers.
Stick to the magnums.
Winston Churchill allegedly said, “I have taken more out of alcohol than alcohol has taken out of me.”
As long as you only have 11 of those glasses you’re fine.
Stop kidding, will ya, and make us some drinks!
Just press the button back there marked “Booze”!
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