Wellness Topic of the Week - 3/13/03
Don’t be surprised if you hear your liver say this:
“Of All College Students In The World, I Have To Be Their Liver!"
FACTS ABOUT ALCOHOL AND YOUR LIVER;
If you drink,at least know what is going on in your body.
“I only go out a couple times week. I won’t be hurting myself.”
Actually, you can without even knowing it. Each time you consume a heavy amount
of alcohol, you cause damage in your liver and create an environment that
will not allow the liver to perform its normal functions. The liver must detoxify
the alcohol so it does not harm your body. If you drink a small amount of
alcohol, 1-2 drinks per day, the liver is able to perform this process with
little, or no damage. If you drink 4 or more drinks in one night, a typical
binge drinking episode, the liver cannot keep up with its cleansing functions
and damage occurs.
“What is the liver for, anyway?”
The liver has several functions that it is required to do in order for survival.
The liver detoxifies poison, cycles carbohydrates/proteins/fat to keep the
body and brain nourished, activates hormones/enzymes/secretions in the body,
cleans and makes plasma in blood, and stores critical nutrients. With the
incredible impact the liver has on the rest of the body, you cannot live without
your liver. Furthermore, a damaged liver will not effectively perform its
functions needed to live.
“What happens when I drink?”
In the body, the liver is affected most of all when alcohol is consumed. When
you drink alcohol, aside from the many other negative impacts happening to
the liver, you begin to develop what is referred to as a “fatty liver.”
The liver normally uses fat to produce energy for your body. Triglycerides
(fat) are trapped in the liver and begin to accumulate. This will build up
over time, depending on your frequency of alcohol. and eventually lead to
liver disease, cirrhosis, and death. The accumulation of the fat in the liver
can be reversed by eliminating alcohol or by limiting alcohol intake now in
order to avoid these problems in the future.
“Is it OK to drink alcohol at all?”
Yes. 1-2 drinks per day is acceptable and OK . If you choose to drink more
than that, 4 or more drinks at one time, realize that your liver is removing
toxins from the alcohol and is not performing its normal functions. The smaller
amounts of alcohol consumed, the easier it is for the liver to manage detoxifying
the alcohol.
“What else should I know about alcohol and its effects in my body?
Alcohol is a diuretic, increasing urine from the body, which strips the body
of water. This will cause dehydration, which is often the result after drinking
alcohol. Vitamin and mineral loss through the increased urination can cause
malnutrition if this occurs often. After drinking any amount of alcohol, drink
plenty of water for several hours afterward, or the next day. Be sure to take
a multivitamin and/or eat well to replace lost nutrients. Also, eat while
you are drinking to slow the absorption of alcohol. Last of all, the excess
calories from alcohol may cause weight gain. If alcohol is consumed in moderation
and exercise is a part of your routine, you should not experience any signs
of weight gain. Never replace alcohol as calories for other foods to avoid
weight gain! Important vitamins will not be consumed, as well as lost, and
you will become undernourished and unhealthy. When drinking alcohol, remember
to be smart, be safe, take care of yourself and you will have fun!
References
Mahan LK and Escott-Stump S. Krause’s Food and Nutrition, & Diet
Therapy, 10th Edition. W.B. Saunders Company: 2000.
Clairmont MA. Nutrition and Adolescents. Today’s Dietitian. February
2003: 5:2.