A Little Insight: Effects Of Alcohol On The Human Body.

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Alcohol is a substance that is consumed by many for a variety of reasons. Out of these people the effects of the alcohol can manifest in different disease in the body depending on how often it is consumed. Abusing alcohol is never a good idea, while moderate or occasional intake is ideal. Studies have shown the diverse impact that alcohol has on the body, but with all the research that is done, it is still a problem in our society. Family history of alcohol abuse has a profound impact on an individual that can affect their tolerance to alcohol. It can also cause a certain amount of stress that is responsible in giving rise to certain diseases, at the same time preventing it in others. Alcohol is something that some people take for granted until it is too late, but just like everything else it all boils down to the individual.

Alcohol affects the body systems in physiological and psychological ways. The use of alcohol can either help or harm an individual depending on their constitution. Alcohol is metabolized by three separate pathways, these pathways are also responsible for the process by which ethanol gets oxidized by way of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), catalase, and the hepatic microsomal ethanol oxidizing system (MEOS). When alcohol is consumed at low levels it is metabolized by the ADH pathway however, high intakes of alcohol is metabolized and oxidized mainly through the MEOS. Alcohol is known to be a source of energy (7.1 kcal/g) that is low in nutrients and cannot be stored. It is also considered a psychoactive drug and depending on the dosage it can even be toxic.

There has been a relationship between stress and alcohol consumption for many years, with the notion that consuming alcohol can reduce the impact of perceived stress called the stress-response dampening effects. However, the reality is alcohol affects us on an individual basis with different situational variables. Studies have shown that drinking can in fact reduce stress in certain people and the circumstances that a person may be experiencing. Based off research, the individuals that benefit from the alcohols’ stress-response dampening effects are people that have a positive family history of alcoholism. This is due to genetic information being stored in the DNA, which can eventually lead to chronic disease.

While alcohol consumption can reduce anxiety, it simultaneously triggers the stress response by way of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in chronic alcohol users and people who also suffers from alcohol withdrawals. When it comes to aging and alcohol there is a

two-way relationship that exists. While aging can alter the psychological and physiological response to alcohol, chronic alcohol use that is a form of stress on the body can exaggerate premature aging. This is due to the over activity of the HPA axis. Although research has not been conducted on alcohols chronic and acute impact on HPA activity on the elderly, there are symptom correlations between excessive production of cortisol (e.g. impaired memory, sleep disturbance, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, diabetes, atherosclerosis, compromised immunity, brain tissue degeneration and muscle weakness) and the elderly that abuse alcohol. The overlapping of symptoms is perceived as premature aging that is observed in alcoholics.

Since our gastrointestinal tract is the organ that is most exposed to the concentration of alcohol that is ingested whether chronically or acutely, this shows that alcohol can have a huge impact on the immune system. Studies have indicated that chronic alcohol intake can result in excess intestinal permeability. Alcohol consumption affects the tight junctions of the epithelial cells that line the intestines. The purpose of the tight junctions is to hold cells together preventing the direct flow of molecules and water from the intestine directly into the blood stream. When these tight junctions are damaged due to alcohol, contents from the intestine tend to leak into the bloodstream. With increase leakage in the intestine, it allows for bacterial molecules like lipopolysaccharides (LPS’s) to enter into the blood stream, activating different cells that result in a chronic inflammatory environment that now promotes damage to the liver.

Alcohol abuse can also affect the respiratory system also causing “leakiness”. This can result in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). It also affects the tight junctions that are between the epithelial cells in the lung where we exchange carbon dioxide and oxygen in the alveoli. This puts people at a greater risk for lung infections.

It is very interesting that alcohol in large amounts can cause someone their life, while at the same time moderate amounts can actually prevent heart disease. It is ironic that alcohol raises triglyceride levels, which is a known risk factor for coronary heart disease, when it also increases HDL levels. The balance of triglyceride and HDL levels in the blood due to alcohol consumed actually promotes the prevention of heart disease. This was confirmed by a Meta analysis trial that also confirmed coagulatory factors and alcohol consumption. This trial indicated that 30 grams of alcohol have the ability to lower fibrinogen levels, which could also reduce the risk of heart disease.

Due to research, moderate consumption of alcohol does have health benefits when it comes to heart disease however, the balance between alcohol intake and other health risk can be problematic. Because everyone is unique in their constitution, between sex, genetics, lifestyle habits and age, it would take a very unique approach in trying to find the balance between the benefits and the risk of consuming alcohol.

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