Effects of Alcohol addition, abuse and dependency

June 4, 2014

Effects of Alcohol addition, abuse and dependency-Part Two

What alcohol addiction can do to your life and that of others can be very painful if not treated

Having discussed what alcohol is and some of its uses in the previous article, we want to continue with the series of alcohol addiction concentrating on the effects of alcohol and evidences or signs of alcohol addiction. Being the major cause of addiction affecting all people in indiscriminately it is important that we are well informed of the effects and signs of alcohol addiction so that we can take timely precaution and live a healthy life.

Effects of Alcohol addition, abuse and dependency-Effects of alcohol

We actually don’t have a uniform way alcohol affects people, the effects of alcohol vary immensely according to gender, age, weight, height and other similar factors. For instance a state of drunkenness would include one being too talkative and sometimes reckless in speech, staggering or difficulty walking upright, double vision and poor muscle control. However when it becomes extreme, drunkenness will cause vomiting, inability to stand, a state of coma and incapability to communicate well. It is in this case that some people appear to be less affected than others although excessive use can affect anyone. Alcohol will affect you in different ways and these will depend on the following:

Ones sensitivity to alcohol
Consuming alcohol on an empty stomach
The kind of food eaten and to what quantity
The quantity of alcohol you drink
The intensity and consistency of your drinking
How long you have been drinking
Your environment at that time
Have you been on drugs like cannabis while drinking?

The effects of alcohol may cause you just after taking a few drinks may release your inhibitions making you feel confident and self-assured while on the other hand the same quantity of alcohol may make you feel depressed, angry and possibly suicidal. These effects are very common in than in men though as both sexes grow older they are affected in the same way. Signs of alcohol intoxication include a flushed, reddened face, slower reactions and reduced inhibitions. If a person experiences extreme drunkenness then there is a great risk that they may vomit in their sleep and choke on this vomit. Overindulgence in alcohol creates an unpleasant reminder known as hangover which is the body’s reaction to intoxication and is partly caused by dehydration and the production of a toxic chemical as alcohol is broken down by your liver. Symptoms of a hangover include headaches, nausea and possibly vomiting; shakiness, tiredness and thirst. The effects will have disappeared by either the end of the day or the next. But it is when this crosses the line from an occasional event to a regular event that signals a drinking problem.

Effects of Alcohol addition, abuse and dependency-Alcohol addiction

This comes as a result of the excessive alcohol consumption to point where the drinker becomes unable to control their consumption and they are now driven by the alcohol thirst which leads to alcoholism. Therefore alcoholism is the consumption of or preoccupation with alcoholic beverages to the extent that this behavior interferes with the alcoholic’s normal personal, family, social, or work life. The chronic alcohol consumption caused by alcoholism can result in psychological and physiological disorders.

The primary effect of alcoholism is to encourage the alcoholic to drink at times and in amounts that are damaging.
The secondary damage caused by an inability to control one’s drinking manifests in many ways.
It is common for a person suffering from alcoholism to drink well after physical health effects start to manifest.
The physical health effects associated with alcohol consumption include cirrhosis of the liver, pancreatic, polyneuropathy, alcoholic dementia, and heart disease, increased chance of cancer, nutritional deficiencies, sexual dysfunction, and death from many sources.

Effects of Alcohol addition, abuse and dependency-Why do people become alcoholics

Human beings are social beings capable of making decisions and choices on their own because we are different it may not be easy to get a straight answer to this question. However when these choices are made some will be good and productive while others will be bad.

The choices are influenced by a variety of factors like our background, family upbringing, lifestyle, genetics, environment etc. if for example a family has history of alcoholism either of your parents or grandparents was an alcoholic then this is a risk factor.
If you suffer from a mental illness such as anxiety, depression or manic depression then you may use alcohol as a way of coping with your illness.
It can also be a form of escapism.
If you work in an environment which has a ‘drinking culture’ then this is another risk factor.
Also, stressful life events such as divorce, bereavement or moving house can all trigger alcohol abuse.

It is difficult to say when social drinking becomes a problem which eventually leads to an addiction (alcoholism). However the first step for these people is recognizing that their drinking is out of control.

Effects of Alcohol addition, abuse and dependency-How to know if you have an alcohol addiction

Each person needs to have general knowledge of how alcoholism gets into one’s life. The signs of a drinking problem or ‘alcohol abuse’ may include:

Being unable to stick to one drink
Guilt or feeling ashamed about your drinking
Sudden change of attitude like lying to family or friends about your drinking
Having a desire to drink in order to relax or feel confident
Finding that you drink more than is good for you
Experiencing ‘blackouts’ or forgetting what you did when drunk
Your family and friends are getting worried about your drinking
Need a drink to get through the day or to cope with your illness

The journey from problem drinking to full blown alcoholism happens over a period of time. However if detected at an early stage then it can be prevented. Having a problem with alcohol doesn’t mean that you will automatically become an alcoholic but it does increase the risk of that happening. What happens is that you develop a tolerance to alcohol over a period of time, which is a sign that your body is becoming used to alcohol and demands it in order for you to function normally. It can start off by a few drinks several times a week, then drinking every day or ‘binge drinking’ which can result in alcoholism.

Alcoholism doesn’t happen overnight: it is a gradual process in which the drinker passes through three stages to get to this point. The three stages of alcoholism are:

Stage one: no obvious signs of damage yet. The drinker is still in control but is gradually developing a tolerance to alcohol.
Stage two: problems have started to occur. The drinker is experiencing physical and mental effects of their habit and has developed alcohol abuse.
Stage three: this is the final stage in the journey. The drinker has become a full blown alcoholic and is unable to stop drinking.

There are warning signs of alcoholism which include an increased tolerance; finding that you can drink more than your friends or colleagues; drinking to ease withdrawal symptoms such as shakiness or anxiety and denying or attempting to justify that you’re drinking to family, friends and colleagues. When this happens to you then you need help which must begin with you acknowledging that you have a problem. Step two would be to seek professional help from experts and this is where doctor Dalal Akoury and her time of experts get involved. Doctor Akoury is the founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center. She is offering exclusive NER Recovery Treatment to other physicians and health care professionals through training, clinical apprenticeships, webinars and seminars. Your addiction problem is well under her vast experience in addiction treatment. With her you will get real time natural treatment that will ensure your life back and be well again to enjoy life to the fullest. Having looked at the effects and bit of signs of alcoholism in this article, I want to invite you to continue staying on the link and get to know the treatment segment in our next article.

Effects of Alcohol addition, abuse and dependency-Part Two

Stress and Addiction, Addiction and Your Stress

May 29, 2014

Stress and addiction-Drug Addiction

Stress that leads to addiction can be very dangerous to human life.

We are surrounded with things and situations which in many ways cause is to be stressed and disturbed mentally. Too much money adds lots of responsibilities in management which can be very stressful and on the other hand too little or no money at all can also be stressful since this brings with it luck of basic commodities and services like food, clothing, accommodation and medication. Because of these life situations many of us may suffer from or will experience stress at some point in our lives. Stress appears to be a condition of modern life and even more so for those of us who are asset rich but time poor.

Stress and addiction-Too much stress can lead to addiction

The pace and different dynamics of life has speed up and resonated up over the past few decades or so and many at times we find ourselves continually trying to keep up! Juggling with the demands of work with family and friends can be difficult and the pressure emanating from this often leads to stress. But the problem with stress is that it affects people differently. What one person finds stressful another sees it as a challenge to deal with.

Stress and addiction-Causes of stress

To understand this well we will need to ask ourselves this common question “from where do we start?” and I say, we first identify some of the common and potential stressors in individuals life, they include employment, family, money worries, moving house, bereavement, divorce etc. In fact the list is endless however there is a list of the most stressful life events in life which include the following:

Moving house
Financial difficulty/bankruptcy
Redundancy
Death of spouse/partner

These listed above are just but some of the most likely causes of stress and addiction. We know that a small amount of stress or to be more accurate we can use the adjective “pressure” can be good for us. Reasonable amount of can be a motivating factor to us, through this it may improves performance and drives us to succeed to our desired objectives even if it may appear un uphill task. None the less unrelenting or chronic pressure has the opposite effect. It’s that point where we feel as if we can no longer cope with pressure and at this point it becomes stress and addiction can happen. There are many people who are more resistant to stress than others. Stress is a powerful ingredient which can cause physical, psychological and emotional problems, stress and addiction usually go hand in hand.

Stress and addiction-Coping with stress

While appreciating the significant effects of stress, it is important to note that people will react and deal differently with stress. Some people will use physical activities like exercise or sport as a means of working off their stress whereas others may prefer something more relaxing, entertaining and comforting or pleasant to hear. Nevertheless there is yet another group of people who will turn into less beneficial forms of relaxation. For instance alcohol, cigarettes, caffeine and drugs are some of the stress relief forms used by many drug addicts this however only compounds the problem. The effects of stress combined with that of substance abuse can easily spiral out of control, This is why stress and addiction are so linked.

Cigarettes and alcohol are the most accessible forms of ‘drugs’ and usually the most affordable to many in the society. Alcohol is also a socially acceptable drug and due to this it’s use is not considered to be a problem by law even though those in authority licensing its consumption are well aware of the dangers involved. So going for a few drinks after work with your colleagues is considered to be a normal part of life in any working day.

Smoking is still seen as a way of relaxing despite it being banished out of the workplace and other social places. However, we still see small groups of people huddled outside their office having a cigarette. There are people who still continue to smoke in spite of this restriction and/or the dangers to their health.

Drugs such as cocaine or amphetamines are often used as a quick way of releasing stress and tension which has built up during the working week. A popular way of using these is at parties or socializing at the weekend and some people view these as an integral part of their social lives. We can see how stress and addiction relates?

These type of people may be ambitious high-achievers who often live for the moment and tend to view their drug use as a part of their ‘scene’. They may act quite casually about it and consider it to be a normal part of their fast-paced lives. For them it is about risk-taking and living life on the edge and drug use is just one form of this.

Stress and addiction-Work related stress

It can be the case that someone works in a highly stressful environment in which employees use alcohol or drugs as a way of winding down at the end of the day. This may start off on an occasional basis but as their tolerance to that substance grows then so does their addiction.

If you work in a highly competitive, target-driven environment then you will probably be running on adrenaline most of the time. This may help when it comes to making important decisions or reaching a deadline but a constant state of hyperactivity will be harmful in the long term.

There is also the fact that some jobs have a culture in which drinking is part of that culture. If your job requires you to entertain clients or join in on ‘bonding session’, which involves alcohol, then it is hard to refuse. In many cases a refusal to do so can be seen as not being a team player and may affect your chances of promotion or even your future with that company.

There is also the issue of money: if your job is well remunerated then this will enable you to spend money on these substances as and when you like. What happens then is that you spend more and more money in order to fuel your addiction which leads to serious financial problems, which then causes more stress, which results in an increase in your addiction and so on, this then reaches at a point at which your addiction is out of your control and affects not only you but others around you.

Finally the effects of a stressful job combined with the effects of an addictive substance add up to what can be a lethal combination. To solve this you may want to visit AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under Doctor Akoury’s care, at this facility we focus on Neuroendocrine Restoration (NER) to reinstate normality through realization of the oneness of Spirit, Mind, and Body, Unifying the threesome into ONE. So If stress is a problem for you then talk to doctor Dalal Akoury.

Stress and addiction-Drug Addiction

Nicotine Addiction and Smokeless Tobacco

May 20, 2014

Nicotine Addiction and Smokeless Tobacco-Negative effects discussed

Tobacco smoking is rich in nicotine a substance which is addictive. Drug addiction is harmful to your health stop using drugs

The wise said “where there is smoke there is fire” this is a common phrase in our society today and will remain so in the decades to come. For sure even when you take the face meaning of the phrase it is true that we may not see smoke if fire is not present. Nevertheless in relation to this topic we will explore not just on the smoke and fire as it is commonly known but we will take our smoke to mean the drugs and fire to be the nicotine. People who smoke do so for their own convenience even though they are much aware of the negative effects associated with smoking. This consistent smoking despite knowledge of the harmful and dangers involve is what makes them to be addicted to the drug they smoke therefore drug addiction is often referred to as dependency often leads to tolerance the addicted person needs larger and more regular amounts of whatever they are addicted to in order to receive the same effect. Often, the initial reward is no longer felt, and the addiction continues because withdrawal is so unpleasant.

Nicotine Addiction and Smokeless Tobacco-What causes nicotine addiction?

Nicotine is an addictive drug. This means that the use of nicotine causes changes in the brain that make people want to use more and more of the drug. In addition, addictive drugs cause unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. The combination of good feelings caused by the presence of an addictive drug and the bad feelings when the drug is not present make breaking any addiction very difficult. The addiction to nicotine has historically been one of the most difficult to break. The 1988 Surgeon General’s Report, “Nicotine Addiction,” concluded that:

Cigarettes and other forms of tobacco are addicting.
Nicotine is the drug that causes addiction.
Pharmacological and behavioral characteristics that determine tobacco addiction are similar to those that determine addiction to drugs such as heroin and cocaine.

Nicotine Addiction and Smokeless Tobacco-What else does nicotine do to the body?

When a person smokes a cigarette, the body responds immediately to the chemical nicotine in the smoke. Nicotine causes a short-term increase in blood pressure, heart rate, and the flow of blood from the heart. It also causes the arteries to narrow. Carbon monoxide reduces the amount of oxygen the blood can carry. This, combined with the effects produced by nicotine, creates an imbalance in the demand for oxygen by the cells and the amount of oxygen the blood is able to supply. Smoking further increases the amount of fatty acids, glucose, and various hormones in the blood.

Nicotine Addiction and Smokeless Tobacco-Nicotine in cigarettes increase the risk of heart attack

There are several ways that cigarette smoking may increase the risk of developing hardening of the arteries and heart attacks. First, carbon monoxide may damage the inner walls of the arteries that encourage the buildup of fat on these walls. Over time, this causes the vessels to narrow and harden. Nicotine may also contribute to this process. Smoking also causes several changes in the blood which include:

Increased adhesiveness and clustering of platelets in the blood
Shortened platelet survival
Faster clotting time
Increased thickness of the blood

All these effects can lead to a heart attack to persons using such drugs and if not attended to quickly may lead to lose of life.

Nicotine Addiction and Smokeless Tobacco-Symptoms of nicotine withdrawal

It is important that people are informed of the symptoms of nicotine so that measures are taken in good time to administer treatment for the affected patients to a void in the dangers of cardiac arrest and other related illness. Some of the symptoms include:

Irritability
Impatience
Hostility
Anxiety
Depressed mood
Difficulty concentrating
Restlessness
Decreased heart rate
Increased appetite or weight gain

Many people wonder how long nicotine can take in the body from the time it enters the body. Since entry nicotine does not take long in the body it is rapidly eliminated by the kidney and normally only remains in the body for a period of about two hours.

Nicotine Addiction and Smokeless Tobacco-Smokeless Tobacco

Current law requires smokeless tobacco to carry warning labels and bans all smokeless tobacco advertising on radio and television. The new warning labels, to be rotated quarterly, are required for packages and advertisements. The labels read:

WARNING: THIS PRODUCT MAY CAUSE MOUTH CANCER
WARNING: THIS PRODUCT MAY CAUSE GUM DISEASE AND TOOTH LOSS
WARNING: THIS PRODUCT IS NOT A SAFE ALTERNATIVE TO CIGARETTES

Smokeless tobacco has been directly linked to oral, pharyngeal and laryngeal cancer as well as cancer of the esophagus, gum disease and tooth loss. The use of smokeless tobacco has been increasing, especially among America’s youth. Nicotine addiction is achieved by the use of smokeless tobacco and can lead to serious health consequences. Nicotine Cessation programs can assist individuals in stopping the use of nicotine based products.

I am very disturbed by our governments the world over especially on certain known life threatening drugs. It is naked truth that many drugs like tobacco and alcohol have seriously effects on peoples life and all the authorities are going is just frustrating their advertisements by indicating warnings like the ones discussed above and sometimes levy high taxes on such drugs all in an attempt to make them out of rich to their consumers. Is this the right thing to do? By making the drugs expensive for many are our governments authenticating that it is okay for the rich who can afford the raised cost to dye from the effects of these drugs? Or are they saying that health of the poor people are more important than that of the rich, like I said before I am wondering.

These drugs are addictive and addiction is a serious threat to humanity that various authorities should and must take close to their hearts. Because of the legality of these drugs e.g. tobacco, alcohol addiction has become the order of the day creating a serious need to have professionals to handle the problem if not a crisis which is why at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under Doctor Akoury’s care we focus on Neuroendocrine Restoration (NER) to reinstate normality through realization of the oneness of Spirit, Mind, and Body, Unifying the threesome into ONE. At this facility we work with a team of experts to not only administer addiction treatment but we are also offering exclusive NER Recovery Treatment to other physicians and health care professionals through training, clinical apprenticeships, webinars and seminars make us the most resourceful institution to satisfactorily meat your addiction recovery needs.

Nicotine Addiction and Smokeless Tobacco-Negative effects discussed

Cancer risks increases with alcoholism and drug addiction

May 9, 2014

Cancer risks increases with alcoholism and drug addiction: Alcohol Use and Alcoholism

Cancer is a killer disease associated with drug addiction and alcoholism is seen to be the biggest reason why cancer risks increases.

In my quest to address the problem of drug addiction, it is becoming a trend that every time this topic of addiction is mention very really will it go without touching on alcohol consumption. The substance alcohol is therefore the most addictive and abused drug and one that causes most of the health problems we go through today. Having said that I want to put emphasis on this by repeating this point that most people know that heavy alcohol drinking can cause health problems, however what many people may not know is that alcohol consumption is a perfect element of cancer risks increases in their lives. Several cancers are as a result of drinking alcohol and this is what is going to form the basis of discussion in this article. If you want to be enlighten about the effects of alcohol in cancer risks increases, then keep on the link and read on for much educative and informative experience with doctor Dalal Akoury and her able team of experts from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under .

Cancer risks increases with alcoholism and drug addiction: Types of cancer linked to alcohol use

As discussed alcohol is a known cause of different kinds of cancers. Such cancers include:

Mouth
Throat (pharynx)
Voice box (larynx)
Esophagus
Liver
Colon and rectum
Breast

Besides the above alcohol may also increase the risk of cancer of the pancreas and for each of these cancers, the risk increases with the amount of alcohol consumed.

Cancer risks increases with alcoholism and drug addiction: Cancers of the mouth, throat, voice box, and esophagus

Alcohol consumption is no doubt contributes the highest risk of these cancers. Drinking and smoking combine raises the risk of these cancers much more than the effects of either drinking or smoking alone. This might be because alcohol has the ability to act as a solvent, helping harmful chemicals in tobacco to get inside the cells that line the digestive tract. Alcohol may also slow down these cells’ ability to repair damage to their DNA caused by chemicals in tobacco.

Liver cancer

Research has proved that long-term alcohol use has been linked to an increased risk of liver cancer. Regular, heavy alcohol use can damage the liver, leading to inflammation. This, in turn, might raise the risk of liver cancer.

Colon and rectal cancer

Alcohol use has been linked with a higher risk of cancers of the colon and rectum. The evidence for such a link is generally stronger in men than in women, although studies have found the link in both sexes.

Breast cancer

Even a few drinks a week is linked with an increased risk of breast cancer in women. This risk may be especially high in women who do not get enough folate (a B vitamin) in their diet or through supplements. Alcohol can affect estrogen levels in the body, which may explain some of the increased risk. Drinking less alcohol may be an important way for many women to lower their risk of breast cancer.

Cancer risks increases with alcoholism and drug addiction: Does the type of drink matter?

Ethanol is the type of alcohol found in alcoholic drinks, whether they are beers, wines, or liquors (distilled spirits). These drinks contain different percentages of ethanol, but in general a standard size drink of any type 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor contains about the same amount of ethanol (about half an ounce). Of course, larger or ‘stronger’ drinks can contain more ethanol than this.

Overall, the amount of alcohol consumed over time, not the type of alcoholic beverage, seems to be the most important factor in raising cancer risk. Most evidence suggests that it is the ethanol that increases the risk, not other things in the drink.

How alcohol raise cancer risk

The exact way alcohol affects cancer risk isn’t completely understood. In fact, there might be several different ways it can raise risk, and this might depend on the type of cancer.

Damage to body tissues

Alcohol can act as an irritant, especially in the mouth and throat. Cells that are damaged may try to repair themselves, which could lead to DNA changes in the cells that can be a step toward cancer.

In the colon and rectum, bacteria can convert alcohol into large amounts of acetaldehyde which is a chemical that has been shown to cause cancer in lab animals.

Alcohol and its byproducts can also damage the liver, leading to inflammation and scarring. As liver cells try to repair the damage, they can end up with mistakes in their DNA, which could lead to cancer.

Cancer risks increases with alcoholism and drug addiction: Effects on other harmful chemicals

Alcohol can act as a solvent, helping other harmful chemicals, such as those in tobacco smoke enter the cells lining the upper digestive tract more easily. This might explain why the combination of smoking and drinking is much more likely to cause cancers in the mouth or throat than either smoking or drinking alone. In other cases, alcohol may slow the body’s ability to break down and get rid of some harmful chemicals.

Lower levels of folate or other nutrients

Folate is a vitamin that cells in the body need to stay healthy. Alcohol use can lower the body’s ability to absorb folate from foods. This problem can be worse in heavy drinkers, who often do not get enough nutrients such as folate in their diet. Low folate levels may play a role in the risk of breast and colorectal cancers.

Effects on estrogen or other hormones

Alcohol can raise body levels of estrogen, a hormone important in the growth and development of breast tissue. This could affect a woman’s risk of breast cancer.

Effects on body weight

Too much alcohol can add extra calories to the diet, which can contribute to weight gain in some people. Being overweight or obese is known to increase the risks of many types of cancer. Along with these mechanisms, alcohol may contribute to cancer in other, as of yet unknown, ways.

Cancer risks increases with alcoholism and drug addiction: Other long-term health effects from drinking alcohol

Most people know about the short-term effects of drinking alcohol, such as its effects on mood, concentration, judgment, and coordination. But alcohol can also have longer-term health effects. These can vary a great deal from person to person. For some people, alcohol is addictive. Drinking can become heavier over time, leading to serious health and social problems. Heavy drinkers who stop drinking suddenly can have physical withdrawal symptoms such as tremors, confusion, hallucinations, seizures, and other serious problems over the next few days. In some people these can be life-threatening and does not mean that heavy drinkers should not stop drinking. It does mean that heavy drinkers should talk with their doctors about the safest way to stop drinking.

Over time, heavy drinking can cause inflammation (hepatitis) and heavy scarring (cirrhosis) in the liver which will then lead to liver failure. Heavy drinking can also damage other organs, such as the pancreas and the brain, and can raise blood pressure. With all these risk arising from the drug use you will for sure need to be taken care of with professionals who would painlessly contain the effects of addiction at all levels. This team of experts you can only get at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under Doctor Akoury. At this facility treatment will be administered while focusing on Neuroendocrine Restoration (NER) to reinstate normality through realization of the oneness of Spirit, Mind, and Body, Unifying the threesome into ONE. This is a painless process you cannot afford to lose.

Cancer risks increases with alcoholism and drug addiction: Alcohol Use and Alcoholism

Alcohol causes malnutrition and liver toxicity

April 2, 2014

Alcohol causes malnutrition and liver toxicity-Its Effects

alcohol consumption is a great contributor to malnutrition

Whichever way you look at it alcohol is the most abused drug and the most addictive of all known drugs in the world. The most surprising and interesting thing is that as toxic as it is, it is legalized and consumed freely. Its effect is felt in all homes directly and indirectly. Many alcoholics are malnourished, either because they ingest too little of essential nutrients like carbohydrates, proteins, and vitamins or because alcohol and its metabolism prevent their body from properly absorbing, digesting, and using those nutrients. As a result, alcoholics frequently experience deficiencies in proteins and vitamins, particularly vitamin A, which may contribute to liver disease and other serious alcohol–related disorders.

A complex interplay exists between a person’s alcohol consumption and nutritional status. Many people, including light to moderate drinkers who consume one to two glasses or less of an alcoholic beverage per day, consider those beverages a part of their normal diet and acquire a certain number of calories from them. When consumed in excess, however, alcohol can cause diseases by interfering with the nutritional status of the drinker. For example, alcohol can alter the intake, absorption into the body, and utilization of various nutrients. In addition, alcohol exerts some harmful effects through its breakdown (i.e., metabolism) and the resulting toxic compounds, particularly in the liver, where most of the alcohol metabolism occurs.

Alcohol causes malnutrition and liver toxicity-Nutritional Value of Alcohol

Alcoholic beverages primarily consist of water, pure alcohol (chemically known as ethanol), and variable amounts of sugars (i.e., carbohydrates); the content of other nutrients (e.g., proteins, vitamins, or minerals) is usually negligible. Because they provide almost no nutrients, alcoholic beverages are considered “empty calories.”) Therefore, any calories provided by alcoholic beverages are derived from the carbohydrates and alcohol they contain. The carbohydrate content varies greatly among beverage types.

At least under certain conditions, however, alcohol–derived calories when consumed in substantial amounts can have less biologic value than carbohydrate–derived calories, as shown in a study in the weights of two groups of participants who received balanced diets containing equal numbers of calories. In one of the groups, 50 percent of total calories were derived from carbohydrates, whereas in the other group the calories were derived from alcohol. The study participants were observed on the metabolic ward of a hospital during the experiments. The quantity of alcohol administered did not exceed the amount routinely consumed by these volunteers.

Although all participants received the same number of calories, those in the alcohol group exhibited a decline in body weight compared with those in the carbohydrate group. Moreover, when the participants received additional calories in the form of alcohol, they did not experience any corresponding weight gain. This suggests that some of the energy contained in alcohol is “lost” or “wasted” meaning, it is not available to the body for producing or maintaining body mass.

Alcohol causes malnutrition and liver toxicity-Nutritional Status

General observation suggests that many alcoholics do not consume a balanced diet; moreover, as mentioned earlier, excessive alcohol consumption may interfere with these alcoholics’ ability to absorb and use the nutrients they do consume. Accordingly, many alcoholics suffer from various degrees of both primary and secondary malnutrition. Primary malnutrition occurs when alcohol replaces other nutrients in the diet, resulting in overall reduced nutrient intake. Secondary malnutrition occurs when the drinker consumes adequate nutrients but alcohol interferes with the absorption of those nutrients from the intestine so they are not available to the body.

The most severe malnutrition, which is accompanied by a significant reduction in muscle mass, generally is found in those alcoholics who are hospitalized for medical complications of alcoholism (e.g., alcohol–related liver disease or other organ damage). If these patients continue to drink, they will lose additional weight; conversely, if they abstain from drinking, they will gain weight. This pattern applies to patients with and without liver disease.

Alcohol’s Effects on Digestion and Absorption of Essential Nutrients

Alcohol consumption, particularly at heavy drinking levels, not only influences the drinker’s diet but also affects the metabolism of those nutrients that are consumed. Thus, even if the drinker ingests sufficient proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals, deficiencies may develop if those nutrients are not adequately absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract into the blood, are not broken down properly, and/or are not used effectively by the body’s cells. Two classes of nutrients for which such problems occur are proteins and vitamins.

Alcohol causes malnutrition and liver toxicity-Amino Acids and Proteins

Proteins are essential components of all cells. They help maintain the cell’s structure, transport certain substances in and out of cells, and act as enzymes that mediate almost all biochemical reactions occurring in the cells. Proteins are composed of approximately 20 different building blocks called amino acids. Many of these amino acids can be produced by the body itself from various precursors or are recycled when proteins that are damaged or are no longer needed are broken down or degraded. Other amino acids however, must be acquired through diet. Alcohol can interfere with the uptake of these essential amino acids.

Patients with chronic liver failure also exhibit a number of defects in protein metabolism. These include decreased production of proteins in the liver that are secreted into the blood decreased urea synthesis, and decreased metabolism of a group of amino acids called aromatic amino acids. These defects have important clinical consequences:

Alcohol causes malnutrition and liver toxicity-Vitamins

Vitamins are molecules that are present in small amounts in various foods and are essential for normal metabolism; insufficient vitamin levels in the body can lead to serious diseases. Alcoholics, even without liver disease, tend to have clinical and/or laboratory signs of deficiencies in certain vitamins, particularly vitamins B₁ (thiamine), B₂ (riboflavin), B₆ (pyridoxine), and C (ascorbic acid), as well as folic acid. The severity of these deficiencies correlates with the amount of alcohol consumed and with the corresponding decrease in vitamin intake.

A Person’s Nutrition Affects Liver Function

Malnutrition, regardless of its causes, can lead to liver damage and impaired liver function. For example, children in underdeveloped countries whose diets do not contain enough protein can develop a disease called kwashiorkor. One symptom of this disorder is the accumulation of fat in the liver, a condition known as fatty liver. Studies performed during and after World War II indicated that severe malnutrition also could lead to liver injury in adults. However, in these cases other factors, including exposure to certain toxins or parasites that are prevalent in war–ravaged or underdeveloped countries, may have exacerbated the relationship between liver injury and poor nutrition.

Because malnutrition also is common in alcoholics, clinicians initially thought that malnutrition, rather than alcohol itself, was responsible for alcohol–induced liver injury. Over the past 40 years, however, a more balanced view has evolved. Studies in humans, primates, and rodents have established that alcohol can cause liver damage even in well–nourished people.

It is becoming clear that nutritional effects and the toxic effects of alcohol often are intertwined at the biochemical level. For example, alcohol induces the MEOS to break down alcohol. Similarly, alcohol promotes the breakdown of nutrients such as vitamin A, of which alcoholics may already consume too little with their diet.

Alcohol causes malnutrition and liver toxicity-Its Effects

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