Ever wondered about the toxic effects of alcohol?
Alcohol’s toxic effects :
NERVOUS SYSTEM EFFECTS
Hangovers
Increased aggressiveness
Long term use can increase anxiety due to damage to benzodiazepine receptors in the brain
Astrocyte damage
Consumption during pregnancy may cause fetal alcohol syndrome and ADD (attention deficit disorder)
Depression of the centres responsible for co-ordination and behaviour
May cause death of neurons in the cerebellum and cause cerebellum dysfunction
Damage to the hippocampus and this damage can be exacerbated during withdrawal after prolonged consumption
Delirium tremens
Depression
Drug dependence
Memory impairment
Migraines
Neuronal damage
Alcohol metabolite acetaldehyde may damage dendrites
Neuropathy
Interference in sleep cyclye, the last half of the sleep cycle is interrupted and becomes shallower
Speech imparment
Free radical production via acetaldehyde
Accelerates peroxidation of lipids
Increased risk for tinnitus
Increased risk for macular degeneration
Increased lipofuscin production
Neurotransmitters : inhibition of release of acetylcholine in the central nervous system
Reduced receptors for GABA (Gamma aminobutyric acid)
Decreased production of NO (Nitric oxide)
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
Cardiomyopathy
Insufficient blood circulation to the brain after prolonged use
Congestive heart failure
Continual excessive consumption elevates blood pressure, small quantities reduce blood pressure
Increased risk of stroke, 1-2 drinks a day however decreases risk for stroke
Thrombosis risk is increased due to increased ability of platelets to aggregate (except for redwine)
Elevation of cholesterol
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Cholestasis (impaired delivery of bile to the intestines often due to congested liver)
Duodenum damage
Irritation and inflammation of the stomach lining, gastritis, peptic ulcer, hypochlohydria, heartburn, increased intestinal permeability
Free radical damage to the pancreas, pancreatic insufficiency, pancreatitis
Liver malfunction (fatty liver, cirrhosis, choline deficiency, elevated methionine)
Destruction of good bacteria in the digestive tract (bifidobacteria bifidus, lactobacillus acidophilus)
Depletion of glutathione
IMMUNE~SYSTEM
Increased risk for allergies
Increased risk for cancers : breast cancer
Colon cancer
Esophagus cancer
Larynx cancer
Liver cancer
Mouth cancer
Pancreatic cancer
Pharynx cancer (for example 4 or more alcohol beverages/day triples the risk of dying of pharynx cancer)
Malignant melanoma
Stomach cancer
Suppression of the immune system
METABOLISM
Decreased athletic performance by at least 10%
May stimulate process of crosslinking
Increased risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus, moderate consumption though decreases risk for insulin resistance
Reactive hypoglycemia
liver malfunction (fatty liver, cirrhosis, choline deficiency, elevated methionine)
Increased production of low density lipoproteins
Increases the risk for obesity and causes difficulty with weightloss
Increased triglyceride production
Reduced absorption of calcium, magnesium, excretion of potassium and magnesium increased
Depletion of selenium and zinc
Increased excretion of rutin
Deficiencies in quinines
Increased production of endogenous lactic acid
MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM
Increased risk for gout due to decreased excretion of uric acid
Gynecomastia (enlargement of the breasts)
Leukoplakia (precancerous lesions in the mouth)
Increased risk for osteoporosis
Increased risk for rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown)
SEXUAL SYSTEM
Female infertility
Gynecomastia
Male impotence, infertility
Impairment of sexual performance by lowering nitric oxide which is required for erectile function
Testicular damage and shrinkage
SKIN
Psoriasis may be exacerbated
Accelerated wrinkles
INTERFERENCE WITH SUBSTANCES
Aminoacids : decline in histidine levels
Decreased production of SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine)
Increased loss of taurine and interferes with the body’s ability to utilize taurine properly
Carbohydrates : decreased tolerance of galactose
Carotenoids : decreased levels of carotenoids
Digestive system chemicals : Decreased hydrochloric acid production
Enzymes : decreased choline acetylase activity in the brain
Lowered endogenous production of the delta-6-desaturase enzyme
Inhibited activity of methionine synthase
HORMONES
Inhibited production and release of growth hormone
Decreased production of IgF1 (insulin like growth factor)
Lowered melatonin production.
Increased prolactin production (by interference with GABA receptors in the brain)
Reduction of testosterone levels
Increased male levels of estrogens due to impaired liver’s ability to eliminate excess estrogen
LIPIDS
Absorption of CMO (cetylmyristoleate) can be affected
DHA depletion in the brain and retina
VITAMINS
Destruction of Biotin, choline, folic acid, inositol, PABA (para aminobenzoic acid), vit b6,vit e, vit k, vit c (via acetaldehyde)
Inhibition of choline uptake in the brain
Increased excretion of vitamin a,b1,b2
Increased excretion of vit b12
Depletion of vitamin d
TOXIC SUBSTANCES ENHANCED
Aldehydes : alcohol is oxidized in the liver to form acetaldehyde which is responsible for toxic effects of alcohol consumption
Alkaloids : acetaldehyde reacts with neurotransmitters within the brain to form harmful, addictive endogenous isoquinoline alkaloids
Amines : Alcohol inhibits the desirable oxidation (breakdown) of toxic amines
Amino acids : increased homocysteine