One of the questions I asked my neurologist shortly after diagnosis (in amongst a much longer list of 'what about this?' type questions seeking reassurance as we all do) was if my treatment disagreed with alcohol. Don't get me wrong, I don't drink a lot but a glass of wine (red, if you're asking) every so often is a little luxury that I do enjoy.
That said, alcohol can have some damaging effects on the body regardless on MS, including:
These risks make for pretty grim reading but it should be said that these risks are based on research of people who regularly exceed the recommended limits of alcohol on a regular basis. The recommended limits are discussed below but it is worth pointing out that the Chief Medical Officer Dame Sally Davies stated earlier this year that there is no safe limit of alcohol to drink, which really makes you think before indulging in that glass of wine.
Recommended limits of alcohol in the UK
The recommended limits to avoid ill health were recently reduced for men so that they fall in line with women.
Limits for both men and women are to consume no more than 14 units of alcohol per week, making sure that you have at least two alcohol free days per week. The units in typical popular drinks are available here:
www.nhs.uk/Livewell/alcohol/Pages/alcohol-units.aspx
That said, alcohol can have some damaging effects on the body regardless on MS, including:
- weight gain (alcohol contains 7 calories per gram compared to 4 calories per gram of carbohydrate and protein; and 9 calories per gram of fat. Alcohol provides no benefit or nutrition for it's 7 calories/gram so all alcoholic drinks consumed just provide 'empty calories'.
- Stroke
- Heart disease
- Some cancers (including breast, colon mouth and throat)
- Liver disease
- Brain damage
- Damage to the nervous system
These risks make for pretty grim reading but it should be said that these risks are based on research of people who regularly exceed the recommended limits of alcohol on a regular basis. The recommended limits are discussed below but it is worth pointing out that the Chief Medical Officer Dame Sally Davies stated earlier this year that there is no safe limit of alcohol to drink, which really makes you think before indulging in that glass of wine.
Recommended limits of alcohol in the UK
The recommended limits to avoid ill health were recently reduced for men so that they fall in line with women.
Limits for both men and women are to consume no more than 14 units of alcohol per week, making sure that you have at least two alcohol free days per week. The units in typical popular drinks are available here:
www.nhs.uk/Livewell/alcohol/Pages/alcohol-units.aspx
Alcohol and MS
Little research has been carried out to look at the specific effects of alcohol on MS, and that which has been published shows conflicting results. We do know that alcohol affects the brain in a number of ways:
1. Alcohol affects brain chemistry
Alcohol can affect the delicate balance of chemicals responsible for processes within the brain. It has been shown to affect the neurotransmitter composition and function; neurotransmitters are responsible for helping transmit signals from one nerve to another. This could be relevant to those of us with MS where the brain is already struggling to process and make sense of messages sent from parts of the body to the CNS (remember the 'jumble of wires' analogy?) - this could affect many symptoms including balance, coordination and memory.
2. Alcohol affects mood, anxiety and depression
Alcohol is a depressant (related again to the balance of brain chemicals) which can affect mood, increase anxiety and worsen symptoms of depression. It is known that depression is a common condition affecting those with MS (the MS society reports that up to 50% of PwMS may experience symptoms of depression at some stage of the disease) so worth noting this if you are affected.
3. Alcohol can irritate the bladder
Bladder symptoms are inconvenient and often embarrassing; alcohol can irritate the bladder making these symptoms worse.
4. Alcohol can interfere with some medications
Alcohol can interact with some medication making it dangerous to drink alcohol whilst taking them. It is best to discuss this with your GP or neurology team.
Drinking alcohol is a personal choice however the research has shown the pitfalls of regular excessive drinking.
1. Alcohol affects brain chemistry
Alcohol can affect the delicate balance of chemicals responsible for processes within the brain. It has been shown to affect the neurotransmitter composition and function; neurotransmitters are responsible for helping transmit signals from one nerve to another. This could be relevant to those of us with MS where the brain is already struggling to process and make sense of messages sent from parts of the body to the CNS (remember the 'jumble of wires' analogy?) - this could affect many symptoms including balance, coordination and memory.
2. Alcohol affects mood, anxiety and depression
Alcohol is a depressant (related again to the balance of brain chemicals) which can affect mood, increase anxiety and worsen symptoms of depression. It is known that depression is a common condition affecting those with MS (the MS society reports that up to 50% of PwMS may experience symptoms of depression at some stage of the disease) so worth noting this if you are affected.
3. Alcohol can irritate the bladder
Bladder symptoms are inconvenient and often embarrassing; alcohol can irritate the bladder making these symptoms worse.
4. Alcohol can interfere with some medications
Alcohol can interact with some medication making it dangerous to drink alcohol whilst taking them. It is best to discuss this with your GP or neurology team.
Drinking alcohol is a personal choice however the research has shown the pitfalls of regular excessive drinking.
Sources:
Active IQ (2016) Fitness Instruction (gym) Manual
Drinkaware (2017) Risks of drinking alcohol
MS Society (2016) Diet and Nutrition Leaflet
NHS UK (2016) Alcohol
Active IQ (2016) Fitness Instruction (gym) Manual
Drinkaware (2017) Risks of drinking alcohol
MS Society (2016) Diet and Nutrition Leaflet
NHS UK (2016) Alcohol