Alcohol consumption may keep disabilities at bay

Light to moderate consumption of alcohol may help prevent the development of physical disability in old age. – It is well known that moderate drinking can have positive health benefits – for instance, a couple of glasses of red wine a day can be good for the heart. But if you’re a senior in good health, light to moderate consumption of alcohol may also help prevent the development of physical disability.

A universal mechanism of aging is identified

New evidence may explain why it is that we lose not only our youthful looks, but also our youthful pattern of gene activity with age. – Researchers have discovered that DNA damage decreases a cell’s ability to regulate which genes are turned on and off in particular settings. This mechanism, which applies both to fungus and to us, might represent a universal culprit for aging.

Heart patients should be screened, treated for depression

American Heart Association Scientific Statement: Heart Patients Should Be Screened, Treated for Depression – Heart patients should be screened for depression — a common condition that can profoundly affect both prognosis and quality of life — according to the American Heart Association’s first scientific statement on depression and coronary heart disease.

Green tea improves heart function

This study found that the consumption of green tea rapidly improves the function of (endothelial) cells lining the circulatory system; endothelial dysfunction is a key event in the progression of atherosclerosis. – Consumption of green tea rapidly improves the function of (endothelial) cells lining the circulatory system, revealed by researchers in the latest issue of European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation.

Red wine may ward off effects of age on heart, bones, eyes and muscles

Scientists have found that the compound resveratrol slows age-related deterioration and functional decline, but does not increase longevity. – Large doses of a red wine ingredient can ward off many of the vagaries of aging in mice who begin taking it at midlife, according to a new report published online on July 3rd in Cell Metabolism, a Cell Press publication. Those health improvements of the chemical known as resveratrol-including cardiovascular benefits, greater motor coordination, reduced cataracts and better bone density-come without necessarily extending the animals’ lifespan.

Moderate alcohol consumption lowers cardiac risk in middle aged

In a study conducted by the Department of Family Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina and published in the March 2008 issue of The American Journal of Medicine, researchers found that middle-aged non-drinkers who began consuming moderate amounts of alcohol saw an immediate benefit of lower cardiac disease morbidity with no change in mortality after four years. – Middle-aged non-drinkers who began consuming moderate amounts of alcohol saw an immediate benefit of lower cardiac disease morbidity with no change in mortality after four years, revealed by researchers.

Tougher action needed on alcohol misuse

British Medical Association lobbied for higher taxes on alcohol, an end to happy hours. – A new hard-hitting report ‘Alcohol misuse: tackling the UK epidemic’ launched by the British Medical Association (BMA) calls on governments to show leadership and implement a full range of effective control policies that will reduce the burden of alcohol misuse.

Chronic drinking can lead to pneumonia after surgery

Consistent alcohol consumption can impair immunity functions following surgery. Study authors recommend that patients considering surgery control their drinking habits, and also be very honest with their doctors about their drinking habits, prior to surgery. – People who drink often have immune-function problems following surgery. For example, patients who consume alcohol long-term have a two- to five-fold greater chance of post-operation infection complications. A new rodent study has found that chronic consumption ? in this case, the equivalent of prolonged moderate drinking ? can result in a more severe form of pneumonia following surgery.

Middle class women earning more, drinking more

Middle class women are earning more and drinking more, and because of larger wine glasses. The gap between men and women is reducing. – Middle-class women are drinking more alcohol than they realise because of larger wine glasses, and the more you earn, the more you drink – with those in higher income groups consuming 30 per cent more alcohol than the working classes.

Men drink twice as much alcohol as women

Men in Britain drink twice as much alcohol as women, according to official figures. Office for National Statistics data says men get through an average 18.7 units per week compared to women at nine units. – Men are drinking twice as much alcohol as women according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics – 18.7 units a week, on average, compared with 9.0 units.

Health Newstrack