Spanish dementia scientists suggest alcohol has ?protective effect?

(My Original Blog Post: http://ping.fm/ujvr0)


Researchers in Spain suggest that alcohol could have a protective effect against Alzheimer’s disease, particularly in women who don’t smoke.

The University of Valencia team performed a case-control study by conducting interviews with the relatives of 176 Alzheimer’s patients and a further control cohort of 246 people in locations in Spain. The findings have been published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Rebecca Wood, Chief Executive of the Alzheimer’s Research Trust, said:

“While the idea that alcohol might protect us from dementia is enticing, we don’t yet know this with certainty. This observational study suggests that smoking in concert with drinking could negate any possible protection from alcohol, however the complicated relationship needs further investigation.

“The most compelling evidence we have for reducing dementia risk is to eat a healthy diet, take plenty of exercise, and to keep blood pressure and cholesterol levels in check, particularly in mid-life.”

“We desperately need more studies like this to determine conclusively the lifestyle choices we can all make to help reduce dementia risk. 820,000 people in the UK live with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, yet research funding continues to be neglected. We must invest now to avert the dementia crisis on the horizon.”

via Latest news - The leading UK research charity for dementia.