Studying 007 James Bond's Drinking Habits

Researchers studied James Bond's drinking habits by reading all 14 books and found that Bond drinks over four times the recommended amount. Based on this, the level of functioning he displays is inconsistent with the physical, mental, and indeed sexual functioning expected from someone drinking this much alcohol.

They also put into context super spy James Bond's preference for martinis that are shaken not stirred. They theorize that James Bond suffers from alcohol tremors that makes it difficult for him to stir.

The objective of this study is to quantify the spy's alcohol consumption as detailed in the novels by Ian Fleming. Based on the 14 Bond books by Fleming, James Bond consumes around 92 units a week which is four times more than the recommended amount. Out of 87.5 days, only 12 days were alcohol free and his maximum alcohol consumption in one day was 48 units.

Because of the level of alcohol intake, James Bond has a high risk of alcohol related disease such as alcoholic liver disease, cirrhosis, impotence, alcohol-induced tremor, and an early death.

Although James Bond is a fictional character, the authors of the study feel that alcohol consumption, being a global health problem, is portrayed by the character in a positive manner.

No Health Benefits For Middle-Aged Women Taking Resveratrol

A study conducted on resveratrol has revealed it does not offer any health benefits on healthy middle-aged women.

The compound resveratrol is found in high concentration in the skin of grapes. Resveratrol is produced naturally by several plants, including grapes, when pathogens such as bacteria or fungi form a threat to the plant.

According to proponents of resveratrol, it activates the sirtuin gene. The sirtuin gene is an inactive gene. It is believed that when activated, it starts a survival process that extends life by slowing down aging.

Aside from increasing longevity, it is also thought to improve insulin sensitivity and reduce risk of heart disease. There are studies that suggest that drinking red wine lowers the risk of health problems. Red wine is said to have two times more average resveratrol concentration than the equivalent commercial juices.

Treating Alcohol Dependence Through Patient Insight Rather Than Abstinence Proposed

On Oct 1997, the journal, Science, published a paper by Alan Leshner. The editorial piece, Addiction Is A Brain Disease, And It Matters, notes that addiction is a "chronic, relapsing brain disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use can impact society's overall health and social policy strategies and help diminish the health and social costs associated with drug abuse and addiction..."

Leshner also suggests that treatment for addiction should include biological, behavioral, and social-context components to be effective.

Drinking Alcohol Decreases Risk of Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a disease where bone tissue thins and its density decreases over time. This condition leads to an increased risk of bone fracture.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines Osteoporosis as a bone mineral density that is 2.5 standard deviations or more below the mean peak bone mass (average of young, healthy adults) as measured by DXA; the term "established osteoporosis" includes the presence of a fragility fracture.

Osteoporosis is the most common type of bone disease.

It is estimated that about 1 out of 5 American women over the age of 50 have osteoporosis. Around 50% of all women over the age of 50 will have a fracture of the hip, wrist, or vertebra (bones of the spine).

Osteoporosis occurs when the body fails to form enough new bone, when too much old bone is reabsorbed by the body, or both.

New study suggests moderate alcohol consumption may help prevent bone loss

Drinking a moderate amount of alcohol as part of a healthy lifestyle may benefit women's bone health, lowering their risk of developing osteoporosis.

A new study assessed the effects of alcohol withdrawal on bone turnover in postmenopausal women who drank one or two drinks per day several times a week. Researchers at Oregon State University measured a significant increase in blood markers of bone turnover in women after they stopped drinking for just two weeks.

Bones are in a constant state of remodeling with old bone being removed and replaced. In people with osteoporosis, more bone is lost than reformed resulting in porous, weak bones. About 80 percent of all people with osteoporosis are women, and postmenopausal women face an even greater risk because estrogen, a hormone that helps keep bone remodeling in balance, decreases after menopause.