Category Archives: Alcohol

Alcohol: Sometimes Less is More

Posted on December 19, 2022 | Comments Off on Alcohol: Sometimes Less is More
Jameson’s in a hotel bar near Chicago

A few months ago I ran across a thoughtful article by Morris van de Camp titled Love Drinking Less. It’s well worth a read if your alcohol consumption is out of control or heading that way.

Alcohol is a two-edged sword. On the one hand it makes life fun and turns strangers into intimate friends in the course of an evening; on the other, it makes a person dysfunctional. Very dysfunctional. Productive time is lost, relationships are damaged, and health is harmed.

I cannot say that I’ve “struggled” with alcohol in the truest sense. I’ve never been arrested for drunk driving, and I’ve had no serious relationship trouble from drinking. All of my drinking has been in an appropriate time and place — but one drink inevitably would lead to another. I’d wind up accidently drunk when I really wanted a light buzz. I also found that when the time came up when I’d be free to drink, I looked a bit too much forward to it.

If you’re a tippler, this is the time of year to consider a “Dry January.” You may learn something about yourself. Be kind to your liver — you only have one.

Steve Parker, M.D.

PS: It’s also time to decide on your weight loss program for the new year.

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Drinking Too Much Alcohol Lately? I Challenge You to a Dry January

Posted on December 27, 2020 | Comments Off on Drinking Too Much Alcohol Lately? I Challenge You to a Dry January
Goodbye to you. Maybe see you in February.

I’ve run across a number of people who slowly increased their alcohol consumption over months or years, not realizing it was causing or would cause problems for them. Alcohol is dangerous, lethal at times.

From a health standpoint, the generally accepted safe levels of consumption are:

  • no more than one standard drink per day for women
  • no more than two standard drinks per day for men

One drink is 5 ounces of wine, 12 ounces of beer, or 1.5 ounces of 80 proof distilled spirits (e.g., vodka, whiskey, gin).

Dry January was conceived in the UK in 2012 or 2014. The idea is simply to abstain from all alcohol for the month of January. The Alcohol Change UK website can help you git ‘er done. Many folks notice that they sleep better, have more energy, lose weight, and save money. There are other potential benefits.

If you think you may have an unhealthy relationship with alcohol, check your CAGE score. It’s quick and easy.

Alternatively, if you make a commitment to a Dry January but can’t do it, you may well have a problem.

I did the Dry January in January 2020. The only definite change I saw was that I was more productive. E.g., I blogged more regularly, worked out a bit more. The lesson for me is that alcohol makes me a little lazy. At three weeks in, I started thinking maybe I was able to fall asleep sooner but still woke up often, as usual. I also lost three pounds of body weight fat, but had consciously cut back on food intake.

Steve Parker, M.D.

front cover of Paleobetic Diet

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Exercise Cancels the Cancer-Inducing Effect of Alcohol

Posted on October 31, 2016 | Comments Off on Exercise Cancels the Cancer-Inducing Effect of Alcohol

Jamesons Irish Whiskey Photo copyright: Steve Parker MD

Jameson Irish Whiskey
Photo copyright: Steve Parker MD

Just recently we learned that you’ll die of cancer if you tipple. Well, a new study says you can counteract the carcinogenic alcohol with adequate physical activity.

A story at CNN tells us how much exercise it takes :

“Specifically, they looked at the impact of the recommended amount of weekly exercise for adults, which is 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity. That includes brisk walking, swimming and mowing the lawn, according to the US Department of Health and Human Services. HHS also advises strength training for all major muscle groups at least twice a week.”

Source: Exercise can cancel out the booze, says study – CNN.com

The rule of thumb on how much alcohol is relatively safe to drink is 7 typical drinks a week for women, and 14 for men. Don’t drink them all at once.

Also remember that even one or two drinks under the right circumstances can have devastating consequences.

Steve Parker, M.D.

PS: All of my books have extensive recommendations on getting started with exercise, even if you’re a 300-lb couch potato.

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Japanese Man Lived to 116

Posted on August 12, 2013 | 1 comment

The world’s oldest man died recently at the age of 116. National Geographic has an article mentioning him, including an interview with Blue Zones author Dan Buettner:

Who is the most memorable Blue Zoner you’ve met?

Without question it’s Stamatis Moraitis, who lives in Ikaria. I believe he’s 102. He’s famous for partying. He makes 400 liters [100 gallons] of wine from his vineyards each year, which he drinks with his friends. His house is the social hot spot of the island. (See “Longevity Genes Found; Predict Chances of Reaching 100.”)

He’s also the Ikarian who emigrated to the United States, was diagnosed with lung cancer in his 60s, given less then a year to live, and who returned to Ikaria to die. Instead, he recovered.

Yes, he never went through chemotherapy or treatment. He just moved back to Ikaria.

Did anyone figure out how he survived?

Nope. He told me he returned to the U.S. ten years after he left to see if the American doctors could explain it. I asked him what happened. “My doctors were all dead,” he said.

Read the rest.

Wine and other alcoholic beverages aren’t typically considered “paleo,” but you might consider drinking in moderation anyway.

 

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Alcohol May Impair Vision In Diabetics

Posted on July 25, 2012 | 1 comment

MedPage Today reported that long-term consumption of alcohol may impair vision in diabetics.  Drinkers performed less well on vision chart tests than non-drinkers. This is not a diabetic retinopathy issue.

Beer and distilled spirits were riskier than wine.

The paleo community is divided on whether alcohol should be part of the program.  Undoubtedly, we drink much more alcohol than did our prehistoric ancestors.  Remember, however, that rotting fruits can provide alcohol.  I remember a news report about an elk in northern Europe who got drunk on rotting (fermenting) fruit and stranded himself in a tree.

The MedPage Today article didn’t comment on the potential health benefits of alcohol consumption. You can bet I’ll keep an eye on this.  (Did you get the pun?)

Steve Parker, M.D.

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