Human Nutrition, FCNS 201 Section Joan E Quinn, MEd., RD Chapter Alcohol Production of Alcohol Anaerobic condition Glucose Fermentation of yeast Maltose Amylase CHO CO2 Ethanol Alcohol Absorption • Depends on rate of stomach emptying • Absorbed readily by simple diffusion • Wine is faster absorbed than liqueur which is faster than beer • Alcohol is found wherever water is found in the body • Easily moves through the cell membrane (damaging it) Alcohol (Ethanol) Metabolism • Depends on gender, race, size, food, physical condition, alcohol content • Majority of the ethanol is metabolized by the liver • Alcohol cannot be stored and has priority in metabolism Metabolism of Moderate Alcohol Intake alcohol dehydrogenase Alcohol H2O Acetaldehyde CO2 + small amount excreted through lungs, urine, & sweat Benefits of Alcohol • Consumed in moderation – Decrease risk for cardiovascular disease • Socialization Alcohol Abuse • Contributes to the leading causes of death • Combined with tobacco, increases the risk for esophageal and oral cancer • Risk for heart disease, heart arrhythmia, HTN, stroke, osteoporosis, brain damage, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, nutritional deficiencies, fetal damage, obesity, cancer Effects of Alcohol Cirrhosis Fatty infiltration of the liver • Response to the increased synthesis of fat • Enlarge fat cells choke off nutrient and O2 supply to liver cells • Engorged fat cells burst and die • Scar tissue • 50% chance of death within years • Advance stages are not reversible Other Problems Associated with Alcohol Abuse • Drinking in the workplace • Operating motor vehicles and equipment • Sexually transmitted diseases • Unplanned pregnancy • Children of alcoholics Fetal Alcohol Syndrome • • • • Avoidable Alcohol reaches the fetus Deprive brain of oxygen and nutrients ~4 drinks a day or binge drinking while pregnant • Abstinence from alcohol is the best advice Brain Damage • Cognitive dysfunction and motor nerve deficit • Shrinks the brain • Reduces oxygen and nutrients to the brain • Alcohol is a powerful depressant Advice • U.S surgeon general’s office, the National Academy of Science, and the USDA/DHHS not recommend drinking • Drink in moderation • Avoid drinking and driving • Avoid drinking while pregnant Alcohol Dependency • Genetic links • Risk is increased fourfold in children of alcoholics • Can be addictive and dangerous for some • Warn these children by the age of 10 • Low threshold may be genetic – requires greater amounts of alcohol to produce same effects • Ethnic Depression • Goes with alcohol abuse • Alcohol only alleviate depression in the short run • No longer concerned about their health/behavior Diagnosis • Physiological dependence on alcohol • Tolerance to the effects of alcohol • Evidence of alcohol-associated illnesses (memory loss, liver disease, etc.) • Continued drinking in defiance of medical and social contradictions • Depression and blackouts • Flushed face/reddened skin CAGE Screening • C: Have you every felt you ought to cut down on drinking? • A: Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking? • G: Have you ever felt bad or guilty about your drinking? • E: Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover? (As an eyeopener) Treatment • • • • • • Guidance from a physician Counseling Total abstinence AA 12 step program Treatment program Medication (blocks craving or cause physical reaction when drinking) Binge Drinking • 4-5 or more drinks per occasion • Practiced by ~50% of college students • Acute alcohol intoxication • Death, accidents, destruction, injuries • Can cause life long problems Alcohol Poisoning Warning Signs • Semiconsciousness or unconsciousness • Slow respiration (8 or fewer per minute or lapse of greater than seconds) • Cold, clammy, pale, or even bluish skin • Strong odor of alcohol • Others?