Neurosurgeon reveals how alcohol affects the body

After the US surgeon general issued a new advisory highlighting the connection between alcohol consumption and various types of cancer, a Florida neurosurgeon expressed his approval, stating, “It’s about time.”

Dr. Brett Osborn, who operates a longevity practice, commended the updated guidance, emphasizing that alcohol is a toxic substance.

“We’ve been aware of this for a long time — this is not new information,” Osborn told Fox News Digital in an on-camera interview. 

Dr. Vivek Murthy released the advisory on Friday, citing research that has linked alcohol to at least seven different types of cancer.

In particular, Murthy cautioned that alcohol consumption can elevate the risk of throat, liver, esophageal, mouth, larynx (voice box), colon, and rectal cancers.

“I know the common belief that having a drink or two a day is beneficial for the heart — no, it’s not,” Osborn stated.

“It’s not good for your heart. It’s not good for your brain. It’s not good for your waistline.”

Osborn pointed out that alcohol can contribute to obesity, which serves as a “gateway disease” leading to various cancers and neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s.

“Anything that alcohol comes into contact with — your throat, your larynx, your esophagus, your stomach, your bowels, rectum — all of these are exposed to a toxin,” Osborn explained. 

The doctor cautioned that alcohol causes oxidative damage, where “free radicals” harm cells, tissues, and DNA, ultimately leading to the formation of cancer.

Based on his experience in neurosurgery, Osborn has witnessed firsthand the impact of alcohol on the brain.

“We are aware that individuals who consume alcohol have compromised brain function,” he remarked. “I recently operated on a patient who had alcohol-related issues.”

In this particular case, a patient with alcoholism was admitted to the hospital after a severe fall. The individual had a significant blood clot on the brain’s surface, necessitating emergency surgery.

“Due to his alcoholism… his prognosis is poor,” Osborn shared.

“In general, these patients experience dysfunction and malfunctioning of their organ systems. This ultimately leads to poor outcomes.” 

Osborn advised patients who currently consume alcohol not to quit abruptly.

“I understand. I acknowledge that this is part of your social life and culture,” he remarked.

“But can we reduce it by 50% over the next year or so? And then at the one-year mark, I advise them to further decrease by another 50%, gradually tapering off.” 

According to Osborn, individuals who consistently consume more than one drink per day fall into the category of alcoholics.

“To some extent, you are dependent on it,” he noted. 

“I do not advocate for it in my practice. I do not recommend it to my patients. I do not consume it myself. It’s harmful. Eliminate it.”