Chapter 4A Lecture Chapter 4A: In Depth: Alcohol © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc Alcohol • Recommended in moderation • No more than one drink/day for women, or two drinks/day for men • A drink is the amount of a beverage that provides ẵ fluid ounce of pure alcohol 12 oz beer • 10 oz wine cooler • 4–5 oz wine 1ẵ oz 80-proof whiskey, scotch, gin, or vodka © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc Alcohol (cont.) • People who should avoid drinking alcohol: • Women who are or may become pregnant, or who are breastfeeding • People with a history of alcoholism • People taking medications that interact with alcohol • People who are driving, operating machinery, or engaging in other tasks that require attention and coordination • Anyone younger than the legal drinking age © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc Benefits of Moderate Alcohol Intake • Social and health benefits • Reduced stress, enhanced confidence, stimulated appetite, improved dietary intake • Reduced cardiovascular risk: increased HDL, lower LDL, potentially reduced blood clots • May reduce the risk of age-related cognitive decline or dementia © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc Concerns of Moderate Alcohol Intake • Linked to increased risk for breast cancer, hypertension, hemorrhagic stroke • Increased Caloric intake and risk for obesity Potential for drugalcohol interactions â 2017 Pearson Education, Inc Alcohol Metabolism • Absorbed directly from the stomach and small intestine • Transported to the liver to be metabolized • Consuming foods with some fat, protein, and fiber can reduce blood alcohol concentration (BAC) by up to 50% © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc Alcohol Metabolism (cont.) • Rate of absorption depends on • Presence or absence of food, and type of food • Gender • Most alcohol is oxidized in the liver • Some alcohol is metabolized by both stomach and liver enzymes: • Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) â 2017 Pearson Education, Inc Alcohol Metabolism (cont.) • Women don't oxidize as much alcohol in their stomachs, thus leaving more there to be absorbed • On average, a healthy adult metabolizes the equivalent of one drink per hour • Excess alcohol is released back into the bloodstream © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc Alcohol Metabolism (cont.) • Metabolic tolerance: the liver becomes more efficient in its breakdown of alcohol • Functional tolerance: individuals show few signs of impairment/intoxication, even at high BAC © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc Alcohol Abuse • Alcohol abuse is a pattern of alcoholic consumption resulting in distress, danger, or harm to one's health, functioning, or relationships • Both chronic and occasional alcohol abuse can lead to alcoholism © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc Alcohol Abuse (cont.) • Binge drinking is consuming or more alcoholic drinks on one occasion (men) or or more (women) • Increased risk for fatal falls, drownings, and automobile accidents • Increased risk for acts of physical violence, vandalism and sexual assuault © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc Alcohol Abuse (cont.) • Alcoholism: a disease characterized by chronic alcohol dependence • Symptoms include: • Craving • Loss of control • Physical dependence • Tolerance (the need to drink more) © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc Alcohol Abuse (cont.) • Narcotic effect: alcohol acts as a sedative, depressant • Toxicity risk: high concentrations destroy cells Mortality risks from accidents, trauma â 2017 Pearson Education, Inc Alcohol Hangover • Lasts up to 24 hours • Symptoms include: • Headache, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, extreme thirst, light/sound sensitivity, mood disturbances • Consequences include: • Fluid/electrolyte imbalance • Stomach and gastric irritation/inflammation • Metabolic disturbances • Biological disturbances © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc Alcohol Abuse • Reduced brain function • Even low intakes impair reasoning and judgment • Teens/young adults: chronic, excessive consumption can permanently damage brain structure and function • Alcohol poisoning • Serious metabolic response to very high intakes • Reduces oxygen level reaching the brain; can result in death from respiratory or cardiac failure © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc Alcohol Abuse (cont.) • Reduced liver function • Fatty liver • Alcoholic hepatitis • Cirrhosis of the liver • Increased risk for chronic diseases • Loss of calcium impacts bone health • Pancreatic injury and diabetes • Cancer (mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach, liver, colon, breast) © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc Alcohol Abuse (cont.) • Malnutrition • Over time the diet becomes deficient in protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins A and C, iron, zinc, and calcium • Increased risk for traumatic injury • Fetal and infant health problems • No level of alcohol consumption is safe for pregnant women © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) • Alcohol harms fetal development • The more alcohol a mother consumes, the greater the danger • FAS: • causes malformations of developing fetus's face, limbs, heart, and nervous system • child will suffer from emotional, social, learning, and developmental disabilities Effects are permanent â 2017 Pearson Education, Inc © 2017 Pearson Education, Inc Alcohol Addiction • The National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse suggestions for getting treatment: • Stop "covering" and making excuses • Intervene at a vulnerable time • Be specific • Get help Enlist the support of others â 2017 Pearson Education, Inc ... alcohol in their stomachs, thus leaving more there to be absorbed • On average, a healthy adult metabolizes the equivalent of one drink per hour • Excess alcohol is released back into the bloodstream... Inc Alcohol Metabolism (cont.) • Rate of absorption depends on • Presence or absence of food, and type of food • Gender • Most alcohol is oxidized in the liver • Some alcohol is metabolized... drinks/day for men • A drink is the amount of a beverage that provides ½ fluid ounce of pure alcohol • 12 oz beer • 10 oz wine cooler 45 oz wine 1ẵ oz 80-proof whiskey, scotch, gin, or vodka