Leading preventive neurologist Dr. David Dodick joins the show to unpack what alcohol is really doing inside the body. We dive into how it affects the brain, why it’s linked to an increased cancer risk, how it influences the immune system, and what makes alcohol especially impactful for women navigating perimenopause and menopause.

If you’ve ever wondered what alcohol use might mean for your long-term health, this conversation is for you.

Special thanks to Antonia Lyons

Links to resources mentioned in this episode:

Office of the Surgeon General: Alcohol and Cancer Risk 

Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2024 report of the Lancet standing Commission 

Women's alcohol use in mid-life: Identifying associations between menopause symptoms, drinking behavior, and mental health 

Note: In this show, we use “women” as shorthand for people with XX chromosomes. We understand sex and gender are more complex, and acknowledge the experiences we describe reach beyond that word.

Leading preventive neurologist Dr. David Dodick joins the show to unpack what alcohol is really doing inside the body. We dive into how it affects the brain, why it&rsquo;s linked to an increased cancer risk, how it influences the immune system, and what makes alcohol especially impactful for women navigating perimenopause and menopause.
If you&rsquo;ve ever wondered what alcohol use might mean for your long-term health, this conversation is for you.
Special thanks to <a href="https://profiles.auckland.ac.nz/antonia-lyons">Antonia Lyons</a>
Links to resources mentioned in this episode:
<a href="https://www.hhs.gov/surgeongeneral/reports-and-publications/alcohol-cancer/index.html">Office of the Surgeon General: Alcohol and Cancer Risk</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(24)01296-0/abstract">Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2024 report of the Lancet standing Commission</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41059530/">Women's alcohol use in mid-life: Identifying associations between menopause symptoms, drinking behavior, and mental health</a>&nbsp;
Note: In this show, we use &ldquo;women&rdquo; as shorthand for people with XX chromosomes. We understand sex and gender are more complex, and acknowledge the experiences we describe reach beyond that word.

Why is it still so hard for women to find reliable, modern health information about their own bodies? On Decoding Women's Health, Dr. Elizabeth Poynor, chair of women’s health & gynecology at the Atria Health Institute, shares expert insights on women’s health, hormones, and longevity science to help you thrive at any stage of midlife and beyond.

Dr. Poynor, a world-renowned gynecologic oncologist and advanced pelvic surgeon, speaks with leading physicians, researchers, and educators to share the latest science on women’s wellness, disease prevention, and what it really means to age on your own terms. Each episode explores a different aspect of how to improve your health during midlife—from heart disease and genetic risks to metabolism, hormones nutrition, cognitive health, and beyond.

Whether you're in perimenopause, postmenopause, or simply looking for tools to prepare for the next chapter, take charge of your health—now and for the future—with expert guidance and practical advice to help you thrive. 

Why is it still so hard for women to find reliable, modern health information about their own bodies? On Decoding Women's Health, Dr. Elizabeth Poynor, chair of women&rsquo;s health &amp; gynecology at the Atria Health Institute, shares expert insights on women&rsquo;s health, hormones, and longevity science to help you thrive at any stage of midlife and beyond.
Dr. Poynor, a world-renowned gynecologic oncologist and advanced pelvic surgeon, speaks with leading physicians, researchers, and educators to share the latest science on women&rsquo;s wellness, disease prevention, and what it really means to age on your own terms. Each episode explores a different aspect of how to improve your health during midlife&mdash;from heart disease and genetic risks to metabolism, hormones nutrition, cognitive health, and beyond.
Whether you're in perimenopause, postmenopause, or simply looking for tools to prepare for the next chapter, take charge of your health&mdash;now and for the future&mdash;with expert guidance and practical advice to help you thrive.&nbsp;

Decoding Women's Health with Dr. Elizabeth Poynor

Decoding Alcohol with Dr. David Dodick

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/a87b5a73-1855-40ce-9574-b3fa017c27a5/transcript