ALCOHOL
Alcohol has been a topic of discussion since the fermentation of carbohydrates was discovered.
Is it good or bad for you? This question varies for each individual based on their constitution
and ability to physiologically as well as mentally handle its effects. In moderation, it is not a
problem for most people. If you have an addiction to alcohol or liver damage, no amount of
alcohol is healthy or advised. If you abuse alcohol, the side effects become increasingly
troublesome.
What is moderate drinking (by US standards)?
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For a male:
For a female:
1 glass per day
slightly less than 1 glass/day
What is binge drinking?
One Glass is
equivalent to:
12oz beer/wine cooler
5 oz wine
3 oz liquor
1.5 oz 80 proof/distilled
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Defined as having 5 or more drinks on one occasion,
meaning in a row or within a short period of time. For
women 4 or more.
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Binge drinking is associated with a number of adverse health effects, including
unintentional injuries (e.g., motor vehicle crashes, falls, burns, drowning, and
hypothermia); violence (homicide, suicide, child abuse, domestic violence); sudden
infant death syndrome; alcohol poisoning; hypertension; myocardial infarction; gastritis;
pancreatitis; sexually transmitted diseases; meningitis; and poor control of diabetes
(Naimi, 2003).
Alcohol is processed differently by each individual and also changes based on the situation. For
example, food will slow down the absorption of alcohol, where an empty stomach increases its
absorption. Men and women metabolize alcohol differently.
Relationship b/w alcohol
Recent studies have indicated that being overweight is another
consumption and blood
increasingly common cause of abnormal liver enzyme levels
alcohol:
and adiposity (fat cells) may increase the impact of ethanol
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consumption on liver pathology . The liver also breaks down
Male:
2 drinks = ~.02-.03
the majority of toxins we are exposed to, hormones created
(170lbs) 3 drinks = ~.04-.05
internally, and various other metabolic processes, therefore
4 drinks = ~.06-.07
many factors affect how the liver processes alcohol each time it
Female: 2 drinks = ~.04-.05
is consumed
(137lbs) 3 drinks = ~.07-.08
Alcohol Addiction
A person is defined as being dependent on alcohol if he or she reports three or more of the
following symptoms in the past year (DSM-IV, 1994).
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Tolerance (e.g., needing more alcohol to become intoxicated)
Withdrawal symptoms when intake interrupted, psychological dependence
Desire and/or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control use.
• Considerable time spent obtaining or using alcohol, or recovering from its
effects.
• Important social, work, or recreational activities given up because of use.
• Continued use of alcohol despite knowledge of problems caused by or
aggravated by use.
The Bodhi Clinic 4801 Dorsey Hall Drive Suite 201A Ellicott City, MD 21042
(410) 923-8888 www.BodhiClinic.com
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Alcohol use for longer periods than intended.
Hide your drinking from those around you
The CAGE questionnaire is the most
commonly used test for detecting a
problem. Some questions include:
FACTS:
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14 million Americans suffer from alcoholism
C: Have you ever felt you ought to
cut down on drinking?
31.9 million Americans engage in binge drinking
A:
Have
people annoyed you by
In 2000, there were approximately 85,000 deaths attributable to
criticizing your drinking?
either excessive or risky drinking in the U.S., making alcohol the
G: Have you ever felt bad or guilty
third leading actual cause of death.
about your drinking?
Alcohol associated illnesses (liver disease, irreversible brain
E: Have you ever had a drink first in
damage with memory loss, inability to concentrate, decline in
the morning to steady your nerves or
intellectual function)
get rid of a hangover (eye opener)?
Basic alcoholism signs include: flushed face and reddened skin,
nervous system disorders (tremors), alcohol odor on breath, frequent accidents falls or
injuries.
Moderate Use
Coronary Heart Disease
High Blood Pressure
risk if at high risk, mainly
d/t HDL, clotting, and
relaxing blood vessels in
some people. NOT evident
for younger women, women
who drink heavily, and
women without risk factors
associated with heart
disease.
Mild BP, ischemic stroke
if nml BP
Brain Function
1-2 drinks per day (4oz)
increases risk of Breast
cancer by 10% in women, 3+
per day by 30%. (Klatsky et
al 2013).
Cancer
Liver function
Gastrointestinal Tract
Immune System
Sleep Disturbances
risk of certain bacterial
infections in stomach
Some relaxation
Impotence, Libido
Obesity
Nutrient intake
May supply some B vitamins
and iron depending on the
product
Socialization and relaxation
Some benefit by increasing
Alcohol Abuse
Heart rhythm disturbances, heart
muscle damage, LDL
BP
Tissue damage, memory,
depressant, Increases the effects of
GABA
risk oral, esophageal, stomach,
liver, lung, colorectal, breast, etc.
Fat infiltration, eventual liver cirrhosis
Inflammation of stomach &
pancreas, damage to enterocytes =
malabsorption and malnutrition
with increased infections
Fragmented sleep patterns, worsens
sleep apnea
Contributes to problem in both men
and women
abdominal fat distribution and
weight gain in general
Leads to numerous nutrient
deficiencies: protein, vitamins and
minerals (A, D, E, K, B’s, folate, C,
Calcium, phosphorus, potassium,
magnesium, zinc, iron)
Contributes to violent behavior and
The Bodhi Clinic 4801 Dorsey Hall Drive Suite 201A Ellicott City, MD 21042
(410) 923-8888 www.BodhiClinic.com
Moderate Use
brain neurotransmitter activity
initially
agitation
Contributes to both considerably
Traffic Deaths and other
Violent Deaths
Skeletal Muscle Health
Pancreas
Reproductive Consequences
Bone Health
Alcohol Abuse
Infertility
Skeletal muscle damage
Acute or Chronic Pancreatitis.
Oxidative stress, destabilizes
intracellular membranes, pancreatic
fibrosis.
Infertility
Increased risk of osteoporosis.
Treatment of Alcoholism:
• AA World Services, Inc 212-870-3400, www.marylandaa.org/intergroups.htm
RESOURCES:
Contemporary Nutrition, 6th ed. Gordon Wardlaw. McGraw Hill 2006.
www.cdc.gov/alcohol/factsheets/general_information.htm
Physiology effects of alcohol, drugs and tobacco on women. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK83244/
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Scand J Clin Lab Invest. 2010 Sep;70(5):305-12. Biomarkers of alcohol consumption and related liver disease.
PMID: 20470213
The Bodhi Clinic 4801 Dorsey Hall Drive Suite 201A Ellicott City, MD 21042
(410) 923-8888 www.BodhiClinic.com