I’m a dementia expert – This is the exact age you should stop drinking alcohol

In his new book, How To Prevent Dementia, neurologist and author Dr. Restak reveals that drinking alcohol – especially regular and large amounts – can damage brain health. Alcohol is a “direct neurotoxin,” he explained.

Given how much alcohol can damage our memory, he recommends that people of all ages rethink their relationship with alcohol.

“Ask yourself, ‘Why do I drink?’ If the answer is, ‘Because alcohol helps me lift my mood and relieve my anxiety,’ then you may be at risk and it’s probably best to stop altogether,” he said in his book.

While one “probably has less to fear” if one drinks wine for social enjoyment or tasting purposes, the neurologist still recommends a point at which to stop drinking.

“If you are 65 or older, I strongly recommend eliminating alcohol completely and permanently from your diet,” says Dr. Restak.

Why 65?

This is partly related to your risk of falling.

Although alcohol is a lower risk factor for Alzheimer’s than heavy smoking, Dr. Restak says it can still damage your memory—but the effects on your hips could be worse.

“Alcohol must also be considered in connection with the frequent falls among older people,” said the doctor.

“The mortality rate from falls is increasing, especially among older men,” he stressed, adding that the number of deaths increased by 30% between 2007 and 2016. Falls are responsible for 70% of accidental deaths among people over 70, he said.

Therefore, it is advisable to limit alcohol consumption after the age of 65 – especially if “you already have other factors that contribute to falls, such as loss of strength, muscle atrophy, balance problems and taking medications. In this case, alcohol consumption can be particularly dangerous.”

Anything else?

Yes, there is a special type of dementia that is only caused by excessive alcohol consumption.

The condition, known as Korsakoff syndrome, is “characterized by severe short-term memory loss” and “results from the direct impact of alcohol on the brain,” says Dr. Restak.

That’s because your thiamine levels drop, meaning “a normally functioning heavy drinker can become confused, lose balance, faint and fall within an hour. The most severely impaired is memory for recent events,” the doctor said.

Sufferers can also fill in gaps in their memory through what Dr. Restak points out is “confabulation.” That is, if they have forgotten what they did on Tuesday and are told they were seen at a fair that day, they will agree with the story and even exaggerate it (without lying—they really believe it).

Excessive alcohol consumption can also affect your brain-healthy B12 levels, says Dr. Restak.

Well, well, I will let the dry January continue…

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