When I was in college, I took a course in Genetics. I clearly remember a trick question on the mid-term exam: What is a safe level of radiation? The correct answer was zero! There is no such thing as a safe level of radiation.

If you asked most people a similar question about alcohol, they probably would say “One beer, or one glass of wine.” Even the Bible says “No longer drink water exclusively, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.” (I Timothy 5:23)

But George Citroner, writing for The Epoch Times, tells us there is a new study challenging the long-held beliefs about alcohol and brain health. He says, “There may be no safe amount to drink if you want to protect your mind from dementia. Researchers have uncovered evidence that the comforting notion that light to moderate drinking can provide cognitive benefits may not be true. The research directly links alcohol consumption to an increased risk of developing dementia.”

Projected estimates indicate that worldwide, the number of people living with dementia could balloon from more than 57 million in 2019 to nearly 153 million by 2050. This trend points to an urgent need for effective prevention strategies, particularly as research continues to elucidate the complexities of known modifiable risk factors for the condition, such as alcohol consumption. Research published this month in eClinicalMedicine found that increased predicted alcohol consumption based on genetic factors is positively linked with a greater risk of developing dementia among current drinkers.

The findings cast doubt on the idea that any level of alcohol consumption is safe for dementia prevention. While heavy drinking is a well-established risk factor for dementia, whether there is a similar association between light-to-moderate alcohol consumption and dementia has remained a subject of debate.

Past studies often contained biases, such as “abstainer bias” in which nondrinkers tended to be compared with drinkers who may enjoy better health or cognitive function, skewing the results. These analyses sometimes didn’t account for cognitive decline occurring before the study or interactions with pre-existing health conditions.

Claire Sexton, senior director of scientific programs and outreach at the Alzheimer’s Association, told The Epoch Times that there remains some debate regarding the impact of light-to-moderate alcohol consumption. According to Sexton, some studies suggest that “among adults at midlife and older, light to moderate drinking may be associated with lower risk of cognitive decline compared with not drinking.” At the same time, she said, other studies show that “moderate levels of alcohol may be associated with adverse brain outcomes, including lower hippocampal volumes.”

Is there a genetic predisposition to drinking?

The findings of this recent study indicated that individuals possessing genes associated with greater alcohol consumption were more likely to develop dementia, particularly women. According to researchers, this suggests that alcohol may have a direct role in elevating dementia risk, especially among those who consume higher amounts. In men, the risks of alcohol may be masked by other associated risk factors, such as smoking.

The study concluded that a linear relationship exists between alcohol intake and the likelihood of developing dementia, which contradicts prior epidemiological findings suggesting that moderate alcohol intake conferred protective benefits.

“This study reports that higher levels of current alcohol consumption were linked with increased incidence of dementia among current drinkers, and found no ‘safe’ level of alcohol consumption,” Sexton said.

Dr. Asish Gulati, a board-certified neurologist affiliated with George Washington University Hospital in Washington, told The Epoch Times in an email that alcohol can significantly affect brain health, “particularly in areas responsible for memory and cognition.” “Research shows that the hippocampus is particularly vulnerable to alcohol, and even moderate consumption can lead to its shrinkage,” she said.

“Additionally, alcohol use can contribute to overall brain shrinkage and disrupt white matter integrity, which affects brain function.” Gulati said that long-term drinking is associated with various cognitive impairments, including difficulties with learning, memory recall, and executive functioning. “The negative effects of alcohol on brain health are profound, highlighting the importance of moderation and abstinence and awareness of its potential consequences,” she said.

However, ceasing alcohol consumption and adopting a healthy lifestyle can promote recovery. According to Gulati, neurogenesis, or the formation of new neurons, can occur, particularly in the hippocampus, and this can lead to improvements in cognitive functions. “Though complete recovery may not be possible,” she said, “significant benefits can arise from lifestyle changes and abstaining from alcohol.”

“The current study found a positive linear relationship between any level of alcohol consumption and dementia risk,” Gulati said. “While the focus on current drinkers of white British descent may limit the generalizability of the findings, the results underscore the necessity for increased caution regarding any alcohol intake due to its potential detrimental effects on cognitive health.”

Makes you think twice about that beer you were looking forward to drinking!

In Part I of this series, we learned that your mattress may be the source of your pains, especially in your low back. A firmer and newer mattress may be the solution.

But there are other threats to your health in your mattress. In Part II we will discuss these other threats. Flora Zhao, writing in The Epoch Times, tells us many people with unexplained symptoms simply need to replace their mattress. What are these threats?

Dust Mites and Allergens

An old mattress not only compromises support for your body, but can also lead to other problems. For example, dust mites can thrive in an old mattress. Human skin renews itself constantly, shedding an average of 1.5 grams of dead skin cells each day. This amounts to roughly 1.1 pounds of skin flakes annually, most of which become “house dust.”

The continuous shedding and accumulation of skin cells in the environment is not a problem in and of itself. The real problem is that these skin cells serve as food for dust mites. Old mattresses often harbor large populations of these mites. They are microscopic, measuring about 0.4 millimeters in length, and invisible to the naked eye. They thrive in warm, humid conditions with ample food, which means mattresses are their ideal habitat.

Dust mites carry various allergens in their droppings, exoskeletons, and eggs. More than 20 known mite-related allergens can trigger allergic reactions and contribute to the development of atopic dermatitis. One study found that approximately half of U.S. households have dust allergen levels at or above the presumed allergy sensitization level (more than 2 micrograms per gram of dust). Dust mite allergens at levels exceeding 10 micrograms per gram (µg/g) of dust are considered likely to induce allergic symptoms. A study conducted on mattresses in a dormitory for hospital staff in Thailand showed that after nine months of regular use, the average dust mite allergen level in sponge-like polyurethane mattresses increased to 11.2 µg/g of dust. After 12 months, this level had doubled.

The type of mattress can also influence dust mite density. An early study conducted by Norwegian scientists on more than 100 mattresses found that foam mattresses were about three times more likely to harbor dust mite droppings than spring mattresses, and foam mattresses without covers were five times more likely to have them. Researchers in Brazil found that dust collected from the lower surface of mattresses was significantly more infested with dust mites than the upper surface—3.5 times more.

These microorganisms can cause a range of symptoms, including headache, fatigue, chest tightness, coughing, asthma, allergies, eye and nasal irritation, rashes, and muscle pain. For individuals with weakened immune systems or chronic lung disease, bacteria can infect the lungs, potentially leading to hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Bacterial growth in mattresses has also been linked with some cases of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

Flame Retardants

Since the 1970s, regulations have mandated the addition of flame retardants to consumer products. These substances are known for their persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity. From 2004 to 2017, regulatory controls on these chemicals were gradually included in the Stockholm Convention, a global treaty that protects people from persistent organic pollutants. Today, many of the controversial flame retardants have been phased out in most countries.

However, households may still be using mattresses containing these potentially hazardous substances. Flame retardants typically constitute about 3 percent to 7 percent of the weight in polyurethane foam. Although the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission approved a petition in 2017 to stop requiring flame retardants, it will take years to eliminate these toxic substances from household environments.

A 2022 study showed that mattress covers were found to contain flame retardants despite certifications for the foam. In four newly purchased mattress covers tested by researchers, two contained more than 50 percent fiberglass—a common flame retardant used in mattresses—in the inner layers. The fiberglass fragments, ranging from 30 to 50 micrometers in diameter, could be inhaled into the nose, mouth, and throat. Some materials, like natural rubber and wool, are naturally flame-resistant. Opting for mattresses made from these materials can help minimize exposure to flame retardants.

In summary, your mattress may be the source of your back pain, your insomnia, headaches, fatigue, chest tightness, coughing, asthma, allergies, eye and nasal irritation, rashes, and muscle pain. Although mattress warranties may be for 20 years or more, replacing your mattress sooner may solve some of these problems.

Could your mattress be the source of your pain? For some people, the answer is Yes! Flora Zhao, writing in The Epoch Times, tells us many people with unexplained symptoms simply need to replace their mattress.

“A lot of people wake up in the morning, and they will have a stiff back or a sore back. That may be a sign that the mattress is getting older,” Bert Jacobson, regents professor of applied health and educational psychology at Oklahoma State University, told The Epoch Times.

Over the past two decades, Jacobson has led and participated in a series of studies on mattresses. He has identified a common phenomenon: When people switch to a new mattress, the symptoms that once troubled them often disappear. In his research, many individuals reported no longer experiencing stiffness and pain upon waking, feeling more refreshed, and having less psychological stress. He noted that people may not realize that all these discomforts are related to what they’re sleeping on.

“The average age of a mattress is around 10 years old,” Jacobson said. In one of his earlier studies, 59 healthy participants who used the same mattresses for an average of 9.5 years reported mild sleep-related pain and compromised sleep quality. After switching to a new medium-firm mattress for four weeks, they experienced a 48 percent reduction in back pain, a 55 percent improvement in sleep quality, and an approximately 20 percent decrease in stress.

Another study involved participants whose mattresses had been in use for 11.3 years. They exhibited significant health improvements after switching to new mattresses. Their physical stress scores dropped from 2.57 to 1.73, their psychological stress decreased from 1.70 to 1.37, and they slept longer.

As an orthopedist, I have often recommended a new mattress for patients with low back pain. As a general rule, “Firmer is better.” Many people with low back pain will get better with a firmer mattress.

Recognizing that simply replacing a mattress can alleviate or eliminate pain and discomfort, Jacobson designed a study to examine the wear and tear of old mattresses, focusing on the most commonly used spring mattresses. He and his colleagues collected 32 old mattresses, the average age of which was nine years. By extracting and testing the weight-bearing springs from the center of the mattresses, as well as the non-weight-bearing springs from the head and foot, they found that although the mattresses appeared flat and the springs looked normal, the weight-bearing springs were weaker than the non-weight-bearing springs due to years of compression.

Specifically, when approximately 2.2 pounds of weight was applied to both types of springs, the weight-bearing springs were compressed by an average of 1.09 inches. In contrast, the non-weight-bearing springs were compressed by little more than half an inch, highlighting a significant difference.

Some people believe that their mattresses, despite years of use, are still in good condition, but this is just an illusion. Jacobson explained that non-weight-bearing areas of the mattress can appear visually flat, and since a bedspread always covers them, the mattress may even look relatively new. However, even a small amount of weight can cause significant deformation in the weight-bearing springs, potentially compromising their original structural support. This can result in poor sleep posture and a decline in sleep quality.

(Note: There are other threats within old mattresses besides pain. For more on these see Part II of this series.)