INTRODUCTION: Alcohol also sometimes referred to as the demon drink is one of the most commonly consumed and abused drink in all nations. It is thought that some moderate quantities of this monster drink poses beneficial effects on the body systems however, because of the potential for addiction and drug dependance, it is discouraged by many in our communities. Continuous intake of alcohol on a daily basis and in large quantities lead to development of condition known and Chronic alcoholism that comes with various health concerns some of which, are deficiency in minerals and ions in the body.
In this article, we are going to look at some of the mineral and ion deficiencies that affect people consuming large amounts of alcoholic beverages. This is one of the series of discussions related to drug abuse and the human body. Our discussion on alcohol started earlier and if you did not start with us, you can find more about the previous topics by clicking on the link below; Alcohol and the human body Chronic alcoholics run considerable risk of nutritional
deficiencies for most of the food nutrients. The most common problems
are neurologic symptoms associated with thiamine or pyridoxine
deficiencies and hematological problems associated with folate or
pyridoxine deficiencies.
The continued corrosion of the intestinal walls causes disruption of the nutrient absorbing surface area and disruption in the chemical environment that frequently leads to nausea and vomiting, all of which alters the metabolic processes.
INVOLVEMENT
OF THE LIVER: So much we have discussed about the human liver and it's role in the human body plus, the conditions that affect it. In case you have not been following me, you can use the links below to read more about the liver. The
liver is one of the most important sites of activation and storage of many
vitamins. In fact in the liver alone, there are are always thousands of chemical reactions going on whose effects control the body.
The severe liver damage associated with chronic alcoholism
appears to interfere directly with storage and activation of certain
nutrients. Alcohol appears to interfere directly with folate
absorption and alcoholic cirrhosis impairs storage of this nutrient. To understand more about the way such processes are affected, you can read more about the functions of the liver from here.
It is also astonishing to know that alcohol induced hepatitis is one of the leading causes of death in chronic and heavy alcohol drinkers.
NEURONAL
INVOLVEMENT: The most sounding and intended effects of alcohol from mild enjoyment to toxicity occurs in the Central nervous system and the brain mainly. Some alcoholics also
develop a peripheral neuropathy that responds to pyridoxine
supplementation. This problem appears to result from impaired
activation and increased degradation of pyridoxine. Pyridoxine is simply vitamin B6 and it is involved in the normal functioning of the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves. The toxic effects of alcohol on the central nervous system is not only seen in chronic alcoholism but also, several individuals intentionally tend to drink, perceiving it that alcohol cures some sort of pain. This is why the drug is taken as one of the most common Over The Counter Medications.
The
most dramatic nutritionally related neurological disorder is
Wernicke–Korsakoff syndrome. This symptoms include mental
disturbances, ataxia which is described as unsteady gait and lack of fine motor
coordination, and uncoordinated eye movements. This is especially true with acute intoxication of alcohol.
CARDIOVASCULAR
INVOLVEMENT: Congestive heart failure
similar to that seen with beriberi is also seen in a small number of
these patients. While this syndrome may only account for a
small percentage of alcohol related
neurologic disorders, the response to supplemental thiamine is so
dramatic that it is usually worth consideration.
CAUSES
OF THIAMINE DEFICIENCY: The thiamine
deficiency appears to arise primarily from impaired absorption,
although alcoholic cirrhosis may also affect the storage of thiamine
in the liver. While those are the most common nutritional
deficiencies associated with alcoholism, deficiencies of almost any
of the water soluble vitamins can occur and cases of alcoholic scurvy
and pellagra are occasionally reported.
VITAMIN
A DEFICIENCY: Chronic ethanol
consumption causes an interesting redistribution of vitamin A stores
in the body. Vitamin A stores in the liver are rapidly depleted while
levels of vitamin A in the serum and other tissues may be normal or
slightly elevated. Apparently, ethanol causes both increased
mobilization of vitamin A from the liver and increased catabolism of
liver vitamin A to inactive metabolites by the hepatic P450 enzyme
system.
BONE
AND CALCIUM DISTURBANCES: Alcoholic
patients have decreased bone density and an increased incidence of
osteoporosis. This probably relates to increased rate of metabolism
of vitamin D to inactive products by an activated cytochrome P450
enzyme system.
Dietary calcium intake is also often poor. In fact, alcoholics
generally have decreased serum levels of zinc, calcium, and magnesium
due to poor dietary intake and increased urinary losses.
ISSUES
TO DO WITH IRON: Iron deficiency
anemia is very rare unless there is gastrointestinal bleeding or
chronic infection. In fact, excess iron is a more common problem with
alcoholics. Many alcoholic beverages contain relatively high iron
levels, and alcohol appears to enhance iron absorption.
SUMMERY: In summery, chronic alcohol consumption is one of the leading causes of ion and mineral deficiencies. The most common pathophysiology is that it impairs absorption of many minerals from the gastrointestinal tract and increases elimination of those absorbed via urine.
RELATED;
1. Alcohol and the human body
2. The human liver
3. Functions of the human liver
4. Vitamin A
5. Osteoporosis
6. Calcium and the human body
7. Dynamics of drugs and the human body
8. Drug addiction and dependency
9. Over the counter medications
REFERENCES
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