Health Brief: Any Amount of Alcohol Could Harm the Brain, Early Alzheimer’s Risk Can Start 20 Years Before Symptoms, and Some Superfoods May Be Making You Sick

Wines with lower alcohol levels tend to pair better with food. VDB Photos/Shutterstock

Welcome to The Epoch Times Health Brief for Sunday, November 3, 2024.

I’m Bill Thomas, we have several pressing stories to get to right now, and here’s what’s going on just two days before election day.

A new study warns that no amount of alcohol is safe for your brain, a so-called “silent phase” of Alzheimer’s can begin as early as 20 years before any symptoms occur, and some superfoods may actually be making you sick because of compounds they contain called oxalates.

Also, we’ll share with you some common health misconceptions that may be compromising your health care, and new research says standing desks are not the quick health fix you may have been hoping for.

We have so much ground to cover today, and we begin with this: a new study indicates just how much alcohol consumption is safe to keep your brain healthy. It’s most likely less than you thought and here’s what we’ve learned.

New Study Indicates No Level of Alcohol Consumption Is Safe for Brain Health

This new study reveals some eye-opening news: no amount of alcohol is safe when it comes to top cerebral health. Surprisingly, even light drinking could increase your chances of developing dementia.

Researchers looked at data from about 314,000 adults in the UK who drink regularly. They used genetic analysis techniques to cut through the usual biases that often cloud these studies. They found that people whose genes predispose them to drinking more alcohol had a higher likelihood of developing dementia—and women seemed especially vulnerable to these effects.

In the past, we’ve heard that moderate drinking might be good for us. But it turns out, this may actually be more myth than fact.

The new study shows it’s the genetic and lifestyle factors of moderate drinkers—who in the study had about 12 glasses of wine or five pints of beer per week, slightly less than the recommended limit in the UK—that actually provide “protective benefits” against dementia that were previously associated with moderate drinking.

The study noted that moderate drinkers often lead healthier lives overall.

You should know that alcohol’s effects on our brains could be serious. The authors of the study say that alcohol contains neurotoxic compounds that can cause inflammation and actually damage the structure of our brains, especially in the hippocampus, which is the part of the brain responsible for memory.

Unfortunately, a lot of that damage cannot be undone, especially if a person has been drinking regularly for a long time.

On a positive note, however, your brain does have some ability to bounce back, particularly if you give up drinking early on and start taking care of yourself. Your brain can actually create new cells, especially in the memory center, and while you might not get back to 100 percent, making these positive changes can still make a big difference.

Let’s stay on topic now with brain health and we have some fascinating information to share with you today regarding Alzheimer’s Disease. Here’s what you need to know.

‘Silent Phase’ of Alzheimer’s Begins Decades Before Symptoms, NIH Study Suggests

Your brain might start changing up to 20 years before you notice any symptoms like memory lapses and thinking problems, according to new findings.

Researchers have found that Alzheimer’s actually develops in two distinct phases. The first one is what they call the “silent phase.” During this period, specific brain cells called inhibitory neurons (think of them as your brain’s traffic controllers) start to malfunction, particularly in areas responsible for memory, vision, and language.

This particular discovery is huge because scientists previously thought that brain cells that stimulate neurons were the first to go.

During the second phase of this disease, the progression of the illness becomes much more serious. The brain begins to accumulate harmful substances known as amyloid plaques and tangles, which are key markers of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia because they can damage brain cells and contribute to memory loss, cognitive decline, and more.

It’s like switching from a slow leak to a burst pipe—everything starts happening much faster. Patients become more forgetful, confusion takes hold, and inflammation in the brain becomes a real problem.

Scientists figured all this out by creating what’s basically a detailed map of brain changes using highly advanced genetic tools. Experts say this is the first time they’ve been able to actually see what’s happening in someone’s brain during the earliest stages of Alzheimer’s disease.

The researchers focused on a specific part of the brain called the middle temporal gyrus—it’s like the Swiss Army knife of brain regions, handling things such as language, memory, and visual processing.

Here’s why this matters so much: If doctors can spot these changes early enough—long before symptoms appear—they might have a better shot at slowing down or even preventing this complicated and devastating brain disorder.

We’ll change things up just a bit now and focus on something called superfoods, which might not be as super for our health as we once thought. And here’s more on that story.

Are These Oxalate-Rich Superfoods Making You Sick?

Turns out some superfoods like spinach, almonds, and sweet potatoes contain natural compounds called oxalates that can actually make some people sick. They can cause all sorts of health problems beyond the well-known kidney stones. We’re talking about everything from heart issues, chronic pain, and arthritis to vision problems, autoimmune conditions, and digestive troubles.

Add in our massive consumption of processed foods and vegetable oils, which can actually produce oxalates in our body, plus the widespread use of antibiotics, and we’ve got ourselves a perfect storm for oxalate-related issues.

Additionally, these oxalates can interfere with how our bodies absorb important minerals like calcium, iron, and magnesium from other foods.

Now, here’s where modern life makes things more complicated. In previous generations, high-oxalate foods were only available seasonally. Today, we can munch on spinach every day of the week and spread almond butter on our toast, bagels, and muffins year-round.

The good news is that we do have ways to deal with high oxalate levels in our body. And here are some things you can do to stay healthy. Some basic strategies include cooking your vegetables instead of eating them raw, which can reduce their oxalate content, and consuming foods that are rich in probiotics because these good bacteria may help reduce oxalate absorption. It’s also extremely important to stay hydrated—drink plenty of water throughout the day.

So you know, if you decide to cut back on oxalates, do it gradually. Going cold turkey can actually make things worse by inducing something called “oxalate dumping,” where stored oxalates get released too quickly. This can lead to unpleasant symptoms like dizziness, skin rashes, kidney pain, and even difficulty focusing.

Before you clean out your pantry, remember that not everyone needs to worry about oxalates. Some people are more sensitive than others, especially those with certain genetic factors, gut health issues, or a history of prolonged antibiotics use. ​If you have any concerns about oxalates or how they may affect your health, simply consult with your doctor before you make any dietary changes.

We’ll continue now and as we dive deeper into our health, there are things happening in the medical community that you need to know about to ensure that you’re getting the most appropriate health care.

Not Just Cholesterol: 4 Health Myths that Persist Despite Evidence, Says Johns Hopkins Professor

Many patients worry about surgical errors or misdiagnoses, but Dr. Marty Makary, a surgeon and professor at Johns Hopkins University, says that a bigger, hidden risk is how doctors think.

In his book, “Blind Spots,” he reveals that many doctors are still clinging to outdated practices, even when new research proves them wrong. This is all due to a phenomenon he calls cognitive dissonance, where people find it harder to accept new information that goes against their existing beliefs.

One example of this is the long-held notion that dietary cholesterol causes heart disease. For years, we were told that eating cholesterol-rich foods like eggs, butter, and full-fat dairy products would clog our arteries and lead to heart problems. So many of us cut these foods out of our diets.

But recent studies have shown that there’s not much truth to that. In fact, the American Heart Association even removed the recommendation to limit our cholesterol intake to 300 mg per day.

Another example of cognitive dissonance is the updated understanding that overuse of antibiotics can disrupt the gut microbiome, which is a whole ecosystem of both beneficial and harmful bacteria that live in your stomach, and could lead to serious health problems. Despite this, many doctors continue to dole out antibiotics for minor infections, especially in children.

Makary also discusses the dangers of what he refers to as groupthink, where doctors follow a particular practice simply because everyone else is doing it. This can lead to not only harmful treatments, but also to delays in adopting new, more effective therapies.

One example of this was the initial fear of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) that led to many women missing out on its potential benefits. It’s a reminder that, sometimes, misconceptions can hold us back from exploring treatments that might improve our overall well-being.

Makary says there are steps you can take as a patient to drive much-needed change in the health care system, and he encourages people to be proactive about their health, to ask a lot of questions, seek second opinions, and explore alternative treatments.

We have just enough time for one more story and this one’s all about how your office workstation might be negatively affecting your health and this is something you really need to know about.

Why Standing Desks Aren’t the Cure and What Actually Works

People have been using standing desks for literally hundreds of years. In some circles, they’re hyped up as an amazing solution to problems associated with sitting for extended periods of time, but new research indicates they may not be the miracle cure we once thought they were.

According to a recent study in the International Journal of Epidemiology, standing for more than two hours a day can actually lead to substantial health issues like varicose veins and dangerous blood clots.

You should know that standing, just like sitting, is considered a sedentary activity because it doesn’t require much movement. The researchers looked at data from over 83,000 adults and found that sitting for more than 12 hours a day increases the risk of heart problems.

Unfortunately, standing doesn’t help offset these odds at all, which goes entirely against what we’ve been previously told. The real solution isn’t about choosing between sitting or standing; it’s actually about moving regularly all throughout the day.

Experts recommend taking activity breaks every 30 minutes, which they call “exercise snacks.” These can be as simple as walking across the office, doing some quick stretches, or taking the stairs instead of the elevator.

If you still want an alternative to a regular desk, treadmill and cycling desks might be potential options since they keep you moving. There’s even something called a balance board, which is also known as a wobble board. It’s usually a flat board that rocks back and forth on a curved base, helping you improve your balance and coordination and all while developing muscle strength.

Some other practical tips to get more movement in your day include taking part in walking meetings, which can actually boost creativity, doing some simple exercises at your desk, and using part of your lunch break for a quick walk.

The bottom line is that instead of obsessing over whether to sit or stand, we should focus on moving more frequently during the day. It doesn’t have to be complicated—just set a timer and make sure you’re not staying in any one position for an extended period of time.

And now, it looks like our time is just about up for today, so we’re gonna call it a wrap for this edition of the Epoch Times Health Brief.

Just a reminder—you can reach out to us anytime via email with your thoughts, comments or suggestions at [email protected] and you can also leave comments for us on the Epoch Times app, which you can download for free.

And don’t forget the Health Brief Motto: We’re portable, affordable, and always on-demand.

And finally, as we do each and every week on this program, we share with you a very notable quote and this one comes to us from George Bernard Shaw who said:

“We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.”

For those who don’t know, Shaw was an Irish playwright, critic, polemicist, and political activist.

We’ll wrap things up with our health tip of the day and this one’s for your eyes: Practice the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, take a moment to look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. It’s a simple way to give your eyes a break while you’re working, especially when you’re working overtime.

For all of us here at the Epoch Times Health Brief, I’m Bill Thomas.

The Epoch Times Health Brief program was written today by Hristina Byrnes.

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For now, let’s all continue to watch out for one another and have an absolutely superb day today. Bye for now.