Consumo di alcol e rischio demenza: non esistono livelli di sicurezza
cufrad news alcologia alcol alcolismo consumo di alcol e rischio demenza: non esistono livelli di sicurezza
Any alcohol increases dementia risk, middle aged are warned
Millions of adults will be advised how to reduce the risk of dementia as part of an NHS MOT given from the age of 40
Middle-aged people should be told to cut out alcohol to reduce their risk of dementia as part of new health checks from the age of 40, under new NHS proposals.
The recommendations say a current system offering all patients a mid-life MOT at their GP surgery should be expanded to provide millions of adults with advice on protecting themselves from the dementia.
Research published yesterday says one in three cases of Alzheimer’s disease could be prevented by changes such as taking more exercise, losing weight and giving up smoking.
New draft guidance from the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (Nice) suggests lifestyle advice should be included in NHS health checks currently offered to all patients aged between 40 and 74.
It says middle-aged patients should be warned that “there is no safe level of alcohol consumption” when it comes to their future dementia risk.
The watchdog says health information for those in mid-life should be changed so that it “informs people that alcohol consumption, even within current guidelines, can increase the risk of dementia, disability and frailty and encourages them to reduce the amount they drink as much as possible.”
Current NHS guidelines recommend men should limit themselves to “three to four units a day” little more than a pint of strong lager, beer or cider, with women advised not to regularly drink more than two or three units a day – one 175 ml glass of wine.
The draft recommendations proposes sweeping changes to improve lifestyles in Britain in order to reduce the chance of dementia, such as an expansion of “smoke-free” policies to ban smoking in parks, and limits on marketing of unhealthy foods.
It suggests that “social norms” which mean some people drink daily should be “challenged” as they pose a threat to health.
Health officials said those in middle-age should be advised that “it’s never too late to start” making changes to lifestyles.
Professor Mike Kelly, director of the Centre for Public Health at Nice, said the advice aimed to prevent and delay dementia and other forms of disability and frailty.
He said: "Everyone now understands that smoking, drinking too much alcohol, being inactive or overweight can seriously damage your health, but what many people don't realise is that these factors also increase the likelihood of them developing dementia.”
“What is really clear from the evidence we looked at is that people who become more active, even when they are a bit older, are far less likely to develop dementia; they are also less likely to develop cardiovascular disease and cancer.”
The recommendations say health workers should "take advantage" of significant life events among the middle-aged to get them to be healthier.
People whose children are leaving the nest, those who are going through the menopause, or taking retirement should be targeted to be encouraged to be fitter and to stop harmful behaviours, Nice said.
"These are times when people may consider adopting new healthy behaviours," according to the guidelines, which say the public should be told that becoming ill is not an inevitable part of ageing.
Alzheimers’ charities welcomed the recommendations.
George McNamara, Head of Policy and Public Affairs for the Alzheimer’s Society said: “NHS health checks play a vital role in reducing the risk of dementia.
“Therefore GPs and others must do more to increase their use and issue advice and support. Giving people the right information and understanding of the risks of excessive drinking, smoking and physical inactivity in mid-life can be a powerful driver to help individuals make healthier choices.”
Tim Parry, from Alzheimer's Research UK, said: "Research suggests that lifestyle choices in mid-life could have important knock-on effects for health in later life, including brain health.
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