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 Steps to Healthy Aging

• Be physically active

• Eat well

• Avoid tobacco use

• Get enough calcium

• Drink alcohol in moderation

• Take care of your teeth

• See a health care provider regularly

• Take medications properly

• Be social and get involved

 

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If you drink alcohol, drink in moderation. It is recommended that men have no more than 2 drinks per day and that women, have no more than 1 drink per day. The differences in the recommended amounts are due to differences in body weight and metabolism in men and women.

What counts as a drink:
  • 1 bottle (12 ounces) of beer
  • 1 glass (5 ounces) of wine
  • 1 shot (1.5 ounces) of hard liquor (80-proof)
What are the potentially harmful effects of drinking too much alcohol?
  • Drinking too much can increase your risk of high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, and stroke.
     
  • Drinking too much may increase your risk for breast cancer (women), colorectal cancer, and liver cancer, and has been shown to increase risk for cancer of the esophagus, pharynx, and mouth.
     
  • Excessive alcohol increases the risk of falls in older adults.
     
  • Do not drink and drive. Alcohol causes many unnecessary fatal car accidents every year.
If you or someone you know in Washington State needs help dealing with alcohol or other substance abuse visit:
The Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse -  Department of Social and Health Services.
 
Links to external resources are provided as a public service and do not imply endorsement by the Washington State Department of Health.

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Washington State Department of Health

Office of Health Promotion

P.O. Box 47833
Olympia, Washington 98504-7833

360-236-3736    FAX: 360-664-4500
 

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Documents posted in .pdf version on the Department of Health Web site will be made available in an alternative format on request to users who are unable to download or view .pdf files on the Web. To request an alternative format contact the Office of Health Promotion at 360-236-3736.

Last Updated: 08/28/2007 08:56 AM