Alcohol and Aging

Most of us older individuals enjoy a glass of wine or something alcoholic now and then.  The truth is that 60% of older people in the United States drink very little or not at all. The major problem is, the older we get, the effects of alcohol on the body become more toxic and potent. Older people do not metabolize alcohol as quickly as younger people. The same amount of alcohol has a greater effect on an older person than a younger one.

Older people are more likely to have additional health problems that are made worse by drinking alcohol. Did you know that drinking alcohol makes you more likely to develop osteoporosis? As we age the body takes longer to absorb calcium.  Alcohol interferes with this process, causing brittle bones and other calcium deficiencies. Calcium loss leads to low density bone mass and the bent, frail physique we often see in the elderly. Alcohol is dehydrating and toxic. It causes wrinkles and lines on the face and is damaging to the liver, bladder, kidneys, stomach, throat, mouth and brain. Alcohol affects virtually every organ in its path. It can cause stroke, high blood pressure, memory loss and mood disorders. For those of us who are serious about looking younger and aging well, it’s important to understand and be aware of the many ways in which alcohol accelerates the aging process.

Skin aging is a concern as we grow older even without the alcohol. Alcohol is  a major contributor to the aging effect on the skin. Alcohol causes the small blood vessels to widen, producing flushed, coarse skin, broken veins deep lines and wrinkles.  Smoking accelerates skin aging even more. Combine alcohol and smoking and the effect becomes far worse.

Alcohol is full of dead calories. We have all heard the term”beer belly”. That is where the fat is stored, in your belly. Consuming a lot of alcohol results in stored fat around the abdomen. One drink every evening adds 15 pounds of fat to your stomach in a year. YIKES!  Exercise is extremely important to keep this added fat at bay. Walking one mile will walk off the excess calories of one drink of alcohol. One can of beer, a single shot of liquor, or a small glass of wine or sherry equals one drink.

Women take much longer to process and eliminate alcohol than men. That is because alcohol is stored in fat and women have more fat than men.  The older we become, especially after the age of 40, the more fat we store. How well I have learned that fact.

Another danger is in prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and herbal remedies. Not only  can they be dangerous but even deadly when mixed with alcohol. Always read the labels on all of your medicines. Many labels tell you, “Do not use with alcohol.” Taking aspirin and drinking alcohol can raise the chance of bleeding in your stomach.  Cold and allergy medicines when mixed with alcohol can cause drowsiness. Check your cough syrups, many already have alcohol in them. Drinking alcohol while taking some sleeping pills, pain pills, or anxiety or depression medicine can be very dangerous. Acetaminophen, found in many painkillers when mixed with alcohol can be damaging to your liver. Always check the warning labels on prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs and herbal remedies and of course always check with your doctor.

You are considered an “at risk” drinker if you drink over 7 (for a woman) to 14 (for a man)  drinks per week. This amount of alcohol can result in adverse health and social consequences.

There are some good things about drinking alcohol if you drink in moderation. The French owe their increased resistance to heart disease largely due to wine consumption . Scientists have linked the protective effects of wine to an organic compound known as ‘resveratrol’ that’s found in red wine. British researchers found in a study of over 6,000 people over the age of 50, that alcohol can protect your brain, your mental health and your thinking abilities.
So go ahead and have a glass of wine. If you drink wisely the effects of alcohol on the body can be positive or at least not SO damaging. It could be good for your heart, your brain and your well being.  Keep in mind if you drink more than you should your looks and your health will suffer. Just don’t overdo it.

CHEERS!