Obesity and Alcohol Abuse – The Dangers of Alcohol Abuse

A combination of obesity and alcohol abuse is not just bad for your health but fatal

In our previous article we discussed the relationship between obesity and alcoholism and you may want to make reference to that article however in this article we will be looking at some of the dangers of the two health conditions and how they affect our lives. Heavy consumers of alcohol have a very high risk of damaging their mental and physical healthy. The toxic elements in the alcoholic drinks when consumed can begin destroying the vital body organs. The other problem with alcohol abuse is that it often leads to obesity and this creates further health complications for an individual. Because of these facts it is very important that people learn to moderate their alcoholic consumption or better still quit drinking altogether.

The Dangers of Obesity

Much as we know that obesity and any weight related conditions are preventable, it is regrettably that this health condition is still claiming people’s lives globally, therefore knowledge of carrying too much body fat may include:

• There is the danger of one suffering from type II diabetes.
• Obese individuals are more likely to suffer from heart problems.
• Obesity is a key symptom of metabolic syndrome and therefore increases the risk of developing cardiovascular problems, insulin resistance, and stroke.
• Obesity induces undue pressure on the skeleton and this can lead to chronic conditions such as osteoarthritis.
• When people are carrying around a great deal of excess body weight it reduces their tolerance for physical activity. This is likely to mean that their life is less enjoyable than what it could be.
• Obese people often suffer from low self-esteem.
• If people feel bad about themselves as a result of being obese it can lead to symptoms of depression. It could also encourage the individual to turn to alcohol for comfort which may lead to alcoholism.
• Many people who are obese suffer from sleep apnea. This means that they are not getting a good night sleep as a result.
• Those individuals who are obese are more likely to develop certain cancers like breast and colon cancer.

Causes of Obesity

It is commonly known that obesity and overweight is caused by excess consumption of calories than the body needs however there are several other causes of obesity which may include:

• When escaping your emotions by eating too much which is commonly known as comfort eating.
• Too much alcohol intake.
• Inadequate physical activities meaning that people are not burning enough calories to balance out their diet.
• Poor diet choices means that many individuals indulge in high calorie junk food.
• Old age slows down people’s metabolism and so they need fewer calories.
• Certain medical conditions such as hypothyroidism that make people more susceptible to putting on the pounds.

Alcoholic Drinks

Alcoholic drinks are usually said to contain an excessive amount of empty calories with no real nutritional value. One 12 ounce standard beer contains about 160 calories while a glass of white wine can have as much as 300 calories. One gin and tonic can also have as much as 300 calories. If people consume a few alcoholic drinks per week on top of their regular diet it can quickly put them on the path to obesity.

One problem is that the calories in these alcoholic drinks do not satisfy hunger. In fact they can stimulate hunger so that the individual ends up eating more than normal on top of the calories consumed in these drinks. Those people who regularly go to the bar might also be missing out on healthier activities where they would be burning calories.

Alcohol Abuse

Alcohol abuse can surely lead to obesity. A heavy drinker may be taking an extra 1000 to 3000 calories daily on top of their diet. They are also likely to be involved in a lifestyle that does not contain a great deal of physical activity. It is even possible for alcohol abusers to be obese and still suffer from malnutrition. This is because although they are consuming plenty of calories they are not getting the right mix of nutrients that their body needs to stay healthy.

Obesity can be used as a justification to abuse alcohol. Overweight are likely to suffer from low self-esteem and this can lead to symptoms of depression. Alcohol offers a temporary reprieve from certain uncomfortable thoughts and emotions. This temporary comfort comes with a high price because it is likely to lead to further misery. Alcohol abuse can take people on a journey to alcoholism and further weight gain and the consequences of this action may be grave to the point of losing everything they cherish along the way.

How to Avoid Alcohol Related Obesity

There are things that people can do to avoid alcohol related obesity such as:

• Be informed of the calorific content of different alcoholic drinks.
• Ensure strict adherence to the recommended levels for safe alcohol consumptions which is one drink per day for adult women and two drinks per day for adult men and for the purpose of these recommendations a drink would be considered a standard beer, a glass of wine, or a shot of spirits.
• Where individuals are unable to keep to the safe levels for alcohol consumption it is advisable that they quit altogether. Inability to moderate is one of the symptoms of alcohol abuse.
• Engaging in physical activities can help people burn off some of the extra calories they consume while drinking alcohol.
• It is important to realize that just because an alcoholic is labeled as ‘lite’ or ‘low calorie’ does not mean that it is safe to drink in high qualities.
• Alcohol consumers must pay special attention to their diet to ensure that the empty calories they are consuming with alcohol do not replace needed food nutrients.
• If people with alcohol problems do enter recovery they need to be aware of turning to food for comfort. It is not uncommon for individuals to experience obesity in recovery if they are not careful.

In conclusion dealing with obesity and alcohol abuse all at the same time is such an uphill task you may not win alone. You will need to be guided by the experts in both addiction and obesity a service you can get at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center. This is a facility founded by doctor Dalal Akoury who has been in this practice for well over two decades making her one of the most experience practicing professionals you can reach out to. While at this facility you will experience professional touch by a group of highly qualified experts focusing on Neuroendocrine Restoration (NER) to reinstate normality through realization of the oneness of Spirit, Mind, and Body, Unifying the threesome into ONE welcome to the best for the best and by the best.

Obesity and Alcohol Abuse – The Dangers of Alcohol Abuse