“A Little of What You Fancy Does You Good”

Just in time for Christmas, I bring you good news. Researchers at the Peninsula Medical School in UK have reported in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society that you can drink more than 2 drinks a day (men) or 1 drink a day (women) and remain healthy – at least if you’re an older adult. The US recommendations are widely ignored in both the UK and the USA . But the study of over 13,000 people over 65 showed that those drinking more than the above recommended amounts had no significant reductions in their Activities of Daily Living, Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, and Cognitive Function scores compared with those drinking zero to one drink a day. Of course, excess consumption does carry health risks – it’s just that the recommendations may be a tad too tight.

The other good news. Professor John Morley, a renowned Tulane University geriatrician, recently gave an interview to the St Louis Post-Dispatch. In it he stated that you don't need to lose weight after 60. " When you lose fat, you increase your triglycerides, which hurts your cardiovascular system," Professor Morley said. Older adults often tend to lose muscle when they lose weight. "All the data show as we get older, a little overweight is OK, as long as you weight stabilizes. Don't start gaining weight as you get to your 60s and 70s."

With these two bits of good news on the health front, you can go out and enjoy the holidays. But drive carefully!