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Older Women Should Severely Limit Alcohol to Avoid
Multiple Risks
 Mayo Clinic advises postmenopausal women to drink
less than one drink a day
March 4, 2006 New research has led Mayo Clinic to
recommend that older women (postmenopausal) limit their consumption of
alcohol to less than one drink a day to avoid serious consequences with
heart disease, cirrhosis, cancer and their appearance. Until recently,
most studies on alcohol and its effect on health have been conducted
only in men. But new research that included women has highlighted some
differences.
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Health & Medicine |
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Two new studies released last year raised red flags
about dangers of even moderate alcohol consumption for older women. One
found that postmenopausal women who consume even moderate amounts of
alcohol may face an increased risk of breast cancer and, the second said
women develop alcohol-related brain damage more readily than men. (See
story in sidebar)
One drink equals 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of
wine or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits, the Mayo Clinic report says.
Based on size and composition, mens bodies are
able to process slightly more alcohol with fewer negative consequences
than women can. The primary difference between men and women, however,
is the amount of an enzyme gastric alcohol dehydrogenase thats
produced.
This enzyme begins to process the alcohol before it
leaves the stomach. The less alcohol dehydrogenase you produce, the more
alcohol leaves your stomach in its original form, affecting the
intestine, bloodstream and liver. Women naturally produce less gastric
alcohol dehydrogenase than men do and are, therefore, less able to break
down alcohol.
Because of these differences, its important that
women take extra caution with alcohol consumption. The March issue of
Mayo Clinic Womens HealthSource covers how alcohol affects womens
health.
Heart disease:
Even though limited alcohol consumption may
decrease cholesterol levels, having more than one alcoholic drink a day
is associated with an increased risk of heart and circulatory problems,
particularly high blood pressure, a weakness of the heart muscle (cardiomyopathy)
and stroke.
Cirrhosis of the liver:
Women have a two to three times greater risk than
men do in developing cirrhosis of the liver, even when men and women
drink the same amount. Both cirrhosis and alcohol-related brain damage
occur in women over a shorter time period and with lower levels of
alcohol consumed, as compared to men.
Cancer:
Among women who drink, cancer risks increase with
increasing amounts of alcohol ingested. If you have more than one drink
a day, each subsequent drink up to six drinks a day increases your risk
of developing breast cancer by 9 percent. In other words, three drinks a
day result in an 18 percent increased risk of breast cancer.
Six drinks a day result in a 45 percent increased
risk. Your chance of getting cancer of the mouth, larynx, colon,
esophagus or stomach also increases with alcohol consumption.
Appearance:
Each serving of alcohol contains between 65 and 200
calories. Over time, these extra calories can add up, leading to weight
gain that can negatively impact your overall health.
In those who abuse alcohol or are addicted to it,
the truly ugly effects arent cosmetic. They are related to the
disconnection and isolation that can occur with a drinking problem, and
an increased likelihood of depression.
How much is safe: For younger women who arent
planning a pregnancy, one drink of alcohol a day may have some
health-enhancing benefits. Postmenopausal women should limit themselves
to less than one drink a day. There is no safe level for women who are
pregnant or who suffer from addiction.
Mayo Clinic Womens HealthSource is published
monthly "to help women enjoy healthier, more productive lives." Revenue
from subscriptions is used to support medical research at Mayo Clinic.
To subscribe, please call 800-876-8633, extension 9PK1.
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