Alcohol's Health Effects Almost every system in the body can be negatively affected by alcohol.

This email course explains how even moderate drinking can affect your health, and the damage that can be caused by long-term and/or heavy drinking. Has Your Health Been Affected by Alcohol? Excessive alcohol consumption over a period of time can begin to affect almost every system in the body, especially the liver, brain and digestive track. Health Risks for Women Women who abuse alcohol, or even occassionally drink to excess, face greater risks to their health than their male counterparts. More Serious Ailments? There is growing evidence that some alcoholics face issues perhaps even more serious than staying Heavy Drinking Linked to Pancreatic Cancer Deaths Researchers have definitively linked drinking three or more glasses of liquor a day to an increased risk of developing pancreatic cancer. Heavy Drinking Increases Risk of Atrial Fibrillation Heavy alcohol consumption and binge drinking increases the risk of atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat that can lead to stroke. Alcohol and Blood Pressure Even modest amounts of alcohol consumption can cause blood pressure to increase, especially in older adults, according to two recent studies conducted in Japan. Moderate Drinking Linked to Higher Blood Pressure If you have high blood pressure, it may be wise not to drink alcohol at all, even in moderate amounts. Drinking alcohol within the recommended guidelines for moderate drinking may increase blood pressure more than previously believed. At Risk for Stroke? Don't Drink!

Research shows that the risk of having a stroke increases dramatically within the first hour after you drink an alcohol beverage. Alcohol and Pain The use of alcohol to depress the effects of pain is as old as the frementation process itself. Alcohol is believed to be one of the oldest used drug in the world. Images of Brain Damage Innovations in imaging technology have helped alcohol researchers study how alcohol damages internal organs, such as the brain and the liver. Weakening Your Body's Defenses Chronic drinkers may appear to be healthy, but if they do become ill or injured, they may find it more difficult to heal. Higher Alcohol Intake Increases Atrial Fibrillation A study from Denmark suggests alcohol consumption may increase men's risk of developing atrial fibrillation - an irregular heartbeat. World Health Organization Targets Harmful Drinking With more than 2.5 million deaths a year attributed to the harmful use of alcohol, the World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a global strategy aimed and reducing alcohol abuse worldwide. American Indian Drinking Prompts Health Problems Alcohol abuse and dependence among American Indians can lead to a multitude of medical problems including sprains and strains, hearing and vision problems, kidney and bladder problems, head injuries, pneumonia/tuberculosis, dental problems, liver problems and pancreatitis. 'Hazardous' Drinking Increases Health Risks People who are not dependent on alcohol, but who practice hazardous drinking and drug use, face serious health problems much like those who are alcoholics and addicts. Heavy Drinking Can Contribute to Bone Disease Chronic and heavy drinking can inhibit the formation of new bone cells called osteoblast decreasing bone formation and leading to low bone mass, according to research at the Omaha Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Alcoholics Risk Infection After Heart Surgery Researchers find that long-term alcoholics are four times more likely to develop postoperative infections following elective cardiac surgery than nonalcoholic patients. Alcohol Can Upset Body's 'Biological Clock' The body has more than 100 circadian rhythms that are unique and influence various aspects of body functions, including heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, hormone levels, pain threshold and even the ability to fight disease. Drinking alcohol can have negative consequences on these biological rhythms, research reveals. Drinking Alcohol Associated with Obesity The body mass index of individuals who drink alcohol may be related to how much, and how often, they drink, according to a new study by researchers at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Alcohol Can Cause Irregular Heart Beat Alcohol consumption may slightly increase the risk for developing a certain type of irregular heart beat, known as atrial fibrillation, or atrial flutter, according to a Danish study. Alcohol Can Act as a 'Blood Thinner' Researchers have confirmed that drinking even moderate amounts of alcohol can affect blood coagulation -- acting as a "blood thinner" -- which can have both positive and negative health effects. Alcohol and the Liver Alcohol-induced liver disease is a major cause of illness and death in the United States, sometimes it is reversible, others not. Alcohol and Tobacco Extensive research supports the observation that smokers drink and drinkers smoke and the heaviest alcohol consumers are also the heaviest consumers of tobacco. Alcohol and Stress Studying the link between alcohol consumption and stress may further our understanding of drinking behavior. Alcohol Abuse vs. Dependence

What is the difference between alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence? Chronic Drinking Increases Stress Harmone Researchers find that long-term chronic drinking produces an increase in cortisol both during intoxication and withdrawal which can have health implications for sleep disruption, cognitive deficits, diabetes, and mood disturbances. Chocolate and Craving For years people have claimed to be addicted to chocolate and now there is new scientific evidence that indicates the addictive qualities of the tasty treat. Genetics & Alcohol Liver Disease New research shows that genetic factors may determine those at increased risk of developing liver disease. Moonshine Still Causes Health Problems Moonshine continues to thrive and according to a physician at the University of Virginia Health System, it can cause serious health problems in those who abuse it. Other Problems Accompany Substance Abuse Results of two new studies show that people with substance abuse disorders often have accompanying medical or psychiatric conditions and treatment programs should include medical screening. SAMe and Liver Disease The supplement SAMe which proved disappointing as a treatment for arthritis and depression as it was originally promoted, may now offer some hope for those who suffer from chronic liver disease. Wine Health Labels Questioned The U.S. Surgeon General has testified that labels on wine bottles about the health effects of wine would probably lead to irresponsible drinking. Sleep Problems in Recovering Alcoholics Alcoholics can continue to have sleep problems for many months after they quit drinking, problems with sleep onset may be more pronounced than with sleep maintenance, and

many alcoholics had sleep problems that predated the onset of alcohol dependence. Alcohol May Harm Thyroid Function in Mother, Fetus Alcohol consumption changes thyroid function and reduces the levels of thyroid hormone in both the mother and fetus, suggesting links between thyroid function and alcoholrelated birth defects. Many Americans Use Prayer for Health Concerns An estimated one-third of adults use prayer, in addition to conventional medical care and complementary and alternative therapies, for health concerns, according to Harvard Medical School Research.
Alcohol, or ethyl alcohol (ethanol), refers to the intoxicating ingredient found in wine, beer and hard liquor. Alcohol arises naturally from carbohydrates when certain microorganisms metabolize them in the absence of oxygen, called fermentation. Beer, wine and other liquor contain different amounts of alcohol. The amount of alcohol in distilled liquor is known as ?proof?. Proof refers to the amount of alcohol in the liquor; for example, 100 proof liquor contains 50% alcohol, 40 proof liquor contains 20% alcohol, and so on. Traditional wine has approximately 8-14% alcohol, while regular beer has 4-6% alcohol. Recent studies show that moderate use of alcohol may have a beneficial effect on the coronary system. In general, for healthy people, one drink per day for women and no more than two drinks per day for men would be considered the maximum amount of alcohol consumption to be considered moderate use. (By ?healthy? people, we are referring to non-pregnant women, individuals not addicted to alcohol, and people without pre-existing medical conditions, among others). However, the amount of alcohol that a person can drink safely is highly individual, depending on genetics, age, sex, weight and family history, etc. A ?drink? is considered to be:

4-5 ounces of wine 10 ounces of wine cooler 12 ounces of beer 1-1/4 ounces of distilled liquor (80 proof whiskey, vodka, scotch, or rum)

How Alcohol Travels Through the Body

Alcohol is metabolized extremely quickly by the body. Unlike foods, which require time for digestion, alcohol needs no digestion and is quickly absorbed. Alcohol gets ?VIP? treatment in the body ? absorbing and metabolizing before most other nutrients. About

20 percent is absorbed directly across the walls of an empty stomach and can reach the brain within one minute. Once alcohol reaches the stomach, it begins to break down with the alcohol dehydrogenase enzyme. This process reduces the amount of alcohol entering the blood by approximately 20%. (Women produce less of this enzyme, which may help to partially explain why women become more intoxicated on less alcohol than men.). In addition, about 10% of the alcohol is expelled in the breath and urine. Alcohol is rapidly absorbed in the upper portion of the small intestine. The alcohol-laden blood then travels to the liver via the veins and capillaries of the digestive tract, which affects nearly every liver cell. The liver cells are the only cells in our body that can produce enough of the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase to oxidize alcohol at an appreciable rate. Though alcohol affects every organ of the body, it?s most dramatic impact is upon the liver. The liver cells normally prefer fatty acids as fuel, and package excess fatty acids as triglycerides, which they then route to other tissues of the body. However, when alcohol is present, the liver cells are forced to first metabolize the alcohol, letting the fatty acids accumulate, sometimes in huge amounts. Alcohol metabolism permanently changes liver cell structure, which impairs the liver?s ability to metabolize fats. This explains why heavy drinkers tend to develop fatty livers. The liver is able to metabolize about ounce of ethanol per hour (approximately one drink, depending on a person?s body size, food intake, etc.). If more alcohol arrives in the liver than the enzymes can handle, the excess alcohol travels to all parts of the body, circulating until the liver enzymes are finally able to process it. (Which is another good reason not to consume more than one drink per hour.).

How the Liver Breaks Down Alcohol

The alcohol dehydrogenase enzyme breaks down alcohol by removing hydrogen in two steps: 1. Alcohol dehydrogenase oxidizes alcohol to acetaldehyde

2. Acetaldehyde dehydrogenase oxidizes the acetaldehyde to acetyl CoA. These reactions produce hydrogen ions (acid). The B vitamin niacin (in its role as the coenzyme NAD) picks up these hydrogen ions (becoming NADH). Thus when alcohol is metabolized, NAD diminishes and NADH increases.

During alcohol metabolism, NAD becomes unavailable for the many other vital body processes for which it is needed, including glycolysis, the TCA cycle and

the electron transport chain. Without NAD, the energy pathway is blocked, and alternative routes are taken, with serious physical consequences: The accumulation of hydrogen atoms shifts the body?s balance toward acid. The accumulation of NADH slows the TCA cycle, resulting in a build up of pyruvate and acetyl CoA. Excess acetyl CoA results in fatty acid synthesis and fat begins to clog the liver. (An accumulation of fat in the liver can be observed after only a single night of heavy drinking).

Fatty Liver and Liver Disease

With moderate drinking, the liver can process alcohol fairly safely. However, heavy drinking overtaxes the liver resulting in serious consequences. A liver clogged with fat causes liver cells to become less efficient at performing their necessary tasks, resulting in impairment of a person?s nutritional health. Fatty liver is the first stage of liver deterioration in heavy drinkers, and interferes with the distribution of oxygen and nutrients to the liver?s cells. If the condition persists long enough, the liver cells will die, forming fibrous scar tissue (the second stage of liver deterioration, or fibrosis). Some liver cells can regenerate with good nutrition and abstinence, however in the last stage of deterioration, or cirrhosis, the damage to the liver cells is the least reversible.

Alcohol and Malnutrition

For moderate drinkers, alcohol does not suppress food intake, and may actually increase appetite. Chronic alcohol consumption appears to have the opposite effect. Alcohol causes euphoria, which depresses appetite, so that heavy drinkers tend to eat poorly and become malnourished. Alcohol is very rich in energy, packing 7 calories per gram. But like pure sugar or fat, the calories are void of nutrients. The more calories an individual consumes in alcohol, the less likely it is that they will eat enough food to obtain adequate nutrients. To make matters worse, chronic alcohol abuse not only displaces calories from needed nutrients, but also interferes with the body?s metabolism of nutrients, leading to damage of the liver, digestive system, and nearly every bodily organ.

Health Effects of Alcohol Consumption

Arthritis Cancer Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Increases risk of gouty arthritis Increases the risk of cancer in the liver, pancreas, rectum, breast, mouth, pharynx, larynx and esophagus Causes physical and behavioral abnormalities in the fetus

Heart Disease

Raises blood pressure, blood lipids and the risk of stroke and heart disease in heavy drinkers. Heart disease is generally lower in light to moderate drinkers. Raises blood glucose Lowers blood glucose, especially for people with diabetes Enlarges the kidneys, alters hormone functions, and increases the risk of kidney failure Causes fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis Increases the risk of protein-energy malnutrition,; low intakes of protein, calcium, iron, vitamin A, vitamin C, thiamine, vitamin B6 and riboflavin, and impaired absorption of calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D and zinc.

Hyperglycermia Hypoglycemia Kidney Disease Liver Disease

Malnutrition

Nervous Disorders Causes neuropathy and dementia; impairs balance and memory Obesity Psychological disturbances Increases energy intake, but not a primary cause of obesity Causes depression, anxiety and insomnia

To Drink or Not to Drink?

Moderate use of alcohol can be an enjoyable, safe experience if used with caution. If you do choose to drink, sip each drink slowly, and always consume alcohol with food. Spaces drinks out to no more than one drink per hour, and consume plenty of water in between drinks. Never drink while pregnant and never drive when intoxicated.

Do you have a problem with Alcohol? Have you ever felt you should cut down on your drinking? Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking? Have you ever felt bad or guilty about your drinking? Have you ever had a drink the first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or get rid of a hangover?

If you answered ?yes? to one question, you may have a problem with alcohol. More than one ?yes? answer makes it highly likely that a problem exists. If you feel you have a problem with alcohol, please see your health professional right away. Effective treatment is availabl