Alcohol Consumption and Its Effects

Overview of Alcohol Consumption

  • Last lecture on alcohol for the semester

  • Topics covered: digestion, absorption, benefits, health concerns, blood alcohol content

Alcohol as a Source of Energy

  • Alcohol contains 7 calories per gram.

  • Not an essential nutrient; categorized as a toxin.

  • Liver is responsible for detoxifying alcohol.

Composition of Alcohol

  • Made up of Carbon (C), Hydrogen (H), and Oxygen (O).

  • Fermentation process involves yeast converting sugars into ethanol in an anaerobic environment.

  • Distillation process methods also discussed.

Standard Drink Definitions

  • Standard serving sizes:

    • 12 oz beer, 10 oz wine cooler, 5 oz wine, 1.5 oz hard liquor

  • Each standard drink contains one ounce of alcohol.

  • Moderate drinking recommendations:

    • 1 drink or less for women; up to 2 drinks for men.

Absorption and Digestion of Alcohol

  • Alcohol does not undergo traditional digestion;

  • Rapid absorption:

    • 5% in the mouth, 15-20% in the stomach, 80% in the small intestine.

  • Alcohol is water soluble and disperses throughout body fluids.

  • Major organ impacted: liver, where detoxification occurs.

Metabolism Pathway of Alcohol

  • Primary metabolism pathway: Alcohol Dehydrogenase (ADH)

  • Steps of metabolism:

    1. Alcohol ⇨ Acetaldehyde (toxic intermediate)

    2. Acetaldehyde ⇨ Acetyl CoA (may enter energy cycle or be stored as fat)

  • Alcohol is not stored; needs detoxification as a priority.

Factors Affecting Alcohol Metabolism

  • Ethnicity: Some have lower levels of aldehyde dehydrogenase, affecting alcohol tolerance and reaction (e.g., Asian flush).

  • Gender: Women are often smaller, possessing less body water, which influences alcohol concentration.

  • Age: Aging reduces efficiency in enzyme production.

Signs of Alcohol Intoxication

  • Legal intoxication at 0.08% BAC.

  • Effects of BAC levels:

    • Low levels: relaxation, slight impairment.

    • Moderate levels: decreased function and coordination.

    • High levels: unconsciousness, risk of respiratory failure.

Health Effects of Alcohol

  • Moderate alcohol consumption may have benefits (e.g., appetite stimulant, cardiovascular benefits).

  • Excessive consumption leads to serious health risks:

    • Heart damage, high blood pressure, liver disease (fatty liver, cirrhosis), nutrient malabsorption, various cancers.

Impact of Alcohol on Pregnancy

  • Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can result in Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS).

  • FAS causes developmental issues, physical abnormalities, and lifelong complications.

Alcohol Use Disorder

  • Indicators of addiction include habitual drinking despite negative impacts on life, withdrawal symptoms, and focus on obtaining alcohol.

  • Factors contributing to dependency include genetics, gender, early onset of drinking, and mental health issues.

Treatment Strategies for Alcoholism

  • Most effective treatment focuses on psychological factors.

  • 75% do not seek help; support from loved ones is crucial.

  • Common screening tools: CAGE questionnaire.

  • Medications like Revia and Antabuse may assist in recovery.

  • Total abstinence from alcohol is often recommended post-treatment.

  • Programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) provide community support.