Doctor shares exact age you should stop drinking alcohol to prevent Alzheimer's

A medical expert has revealed the precise age at which you should consider giving up alcohol to help stave off Alzheimer's disease.

It's no secret that alcohol isn't exactly a health tonic but as we get older its effects on people’s wellbeing becomes more long-term.

One specialist has pinpointed when it might be best to completely abstain from alcohol and provided a compelling reason why, as cutting out alcohol entirely could potentially delay the onset of dementia.

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Research highlighted by the Alzheimer's Society indicates that heavy drinking can increase the likelihood of developing dementia.

Alcohol consumption is directly linked to a reduction in white matter in the brain, which can disrupt normal brain function. Dr Richard Restak, author of 'How to Prevent Dementia: An Expert's Guide to Long-Term Brain Health', has detailed how alcohol can affect your brain function, describing it as a 'direct neurotoxin'.

A neurotoxin is a substance that damages, destroys or impairs the functioning of the nervous system. Given the potential harm caused by alcohol, Dr Restak has suggested an age at which you should stop drinking altogether, reports the Mirror US.

"Ask yourself, 'why do I drink?' If the answer is 'because alcohol helps me to elevate my mood and lower my anxiety,' you may be at some peril, and it's probably best to stop altogether," he penned. "I strongly suggest that if you are 65 years old or older, that you completely and permanently eliminate alcohol from your diet."

Dementia UK has linked excessive drinking to a specific type of dementia, explaining: "Alcohol related brain damage (also known as alcohol-related brain impairment) is caused by drinking alcohol excessively over a prolonged period of time.

“It can be caused by a combination of reasons including vitamin B1 deficiency (thiamine), the toxic effects of alcohol on nerve cells, head injury and blood vessel damage.”

To avoid alcohol-related brain damage, it's recommended to limit alcohol intake to no more than 14 units per week, spread out over at least three days. Other crucial factors include managing stress levels, maintaining a balanced diet, quitting smoking, increasing physical activity and mental stimulation, and controlling blood pressure, cholesterol and weight.