Cheers... A drink or two can help head off Alzheimer's

Drinking moderate amounts of alcohol could reduce the risk of death for Alzheimer's suffers

MODERATE alcohol consumption significantly reduces the risk of death in those with Alzheimer’s, research suggests.

Studies show a daily tipple could provide protection for those in the early stages of the harrowing brain disease.

A landmark experiment found those who drank the equivalent of 3-4.5 units a day were less likely to die than those who drank only occasionally or in excess.

Modest intake - roughly a large glass of wine, two pints of beer or four whiskies - was associated with a 77 per cent lower risk of death.

The ground-breaking research is the latest to point to the healing powers of social drinking.

Sensible alcoholic intake, particularly red wine, has been associated with a lower risk of developing and dying from heart disease and stroke.

But this is the first time research suggests the bottle might play a key role in extending the lives of those battling serious neurodegenerative diseases.

Professor Frans Boch Waldorff of the Danish Dementia Research Centre, said: “To the best of our knowledge we are the first to show an association between alcohol and mortality in patients with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. Previous studies have either focused on alcohol consumption and the risk of developing dementia or on alcohol consumption and mortality in healthy subjects.”

The astonishing results, published in the BMJ, appears to show alcohol offers a degree of protection, up to a certain level.

Researchers hit upon the notion after monitoring 321 patients with early stage Alzheimer’s over three years.

Around one in 10 drank no alcohol while one in 20 drank more than 4.5 units a day. Most of the sample drank one or fewer units a day while 17 per cent drank 3-4.5 units.

Over the monitoring period 53, or 16.5 per cent of those with mild Alzheimer’s, died.

Consumption of 3-4.5 units every day was associated with a 77 per cent lower risk of death compared with one or fewer.

 

Those who drank 3-4.5 units a day were less likely to die than those who drank less or more

The alcohol intake is the equivalent to a large glass of wine, two pints of beer or four whiskies

This interesting study shows that drinking moderate amounts of alcohol is beneficial for people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s

Professor Christian Holscher, Alzheimer’s researcher

There was no significant difference in death rates among those drinking no alcohol or more than 4.5 units compared with those drinking one.
This was true after taking account of sex, age, whether the individual lived alone or with their primary carer, smoking or quality of life.
Researchers analysing the data said those drinking moderately might have a richer social life, which is linked to improved quality and length of life.
Another explanation could be those drinking little were in the terminal phase of their life. But when the data was re-analysed, omitting the first year of monitoring, it made no difference to the findings.
“The results of our study point towards a potential, positive association of moderate alcohol consumption on mortality in patients with Alzheimer’s,” a spokesman for Danish Alzheimer’s Intervention Study said.
Professor Christian Holscher, a leading British Alzheimer’s researcher, said: “This interesting study shows that drinking moderate amounts of alcohol is beneficial for people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s.
“There are many possible explanations for this, but it is safe to say that in moderation alcohol is not bad and may even have beneficial effects.”

 

Public health chiefs advise against drinking to excess with NHS guidelines recommending no more than 3-4 units of alcohol a day for men and 2-3 units for women.

Previous studies have shown a wonder compound found in red wine could stave off Alzheimer’s. It is rich in resveratrol - an antioxidant that appears to protect cells against damage and decline.

Dr Sine Berntsen, of the University of Copenhagen, said: “It has been argued that social drinking may be harmful for patients with Alzheimer’s.

“However, we have not been able to identify any studies on the association between alcohol consumption and mortality in patients diagnosed with dementia.

“Considering Alzheimer’s is a neurodegenerative disorder and that alcohol has known neurotoxic effects, one could easily jump to the conclusion alcohol is damaging for patients.”

Dr Laura Phipps of Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “Some studies have suggested moderate alcohol intake could have a protective effect on the brain but further research is needed to explore this and help determine a specific ‘safe’ level of consumption for healthy people and those living with dementia.”

Dr Doug Brown, of Alzheimer’s Society, said: “Despite some evidence to show the occasional drink could have health benefits, this study is not a green light for people with Alzheimer’s to start drinking more.”