May 2018 Princess Danica Esteleydes

You may have heard that alcohol offers a lot of benefits when consumed in moderation. These include reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and good cholesterol or maybe just trying to reduce stress and anxiety you get from work or uni temporarily. But it is important to understand that the body requires energy from food for the overall maintenance and growth one needs to have a healthy body which you can get from protein fats and carbohydrates. (Atli. A, 2017) 

Going out on a Friday night? Celebrating your best mate's birthday?

You might want to rethink your drink

before you take a sip !

Did you know that the calories you get from alcohol are known as ‘empty calories’ meaning they have no dietary value? However, most alcoholic drinks do have traces of vitamins and minerals but are not sufficient enough to make any significant contribution to our diet. Drinkaware, 2016).

Instead, alcohol leads to dangerous deficiencies which occurs when the liver function is disrupted. The liver is only capable of handling a certain amount of alcohol at a time, so if you consume more than the liver can deal with by drinking too rapidly at a short period of time, or drinking excessively, your cells in the liver struggle trying to process it.(The Ranch, 2012). Liver cells die and result in scar tissue and getting a new liver may be your only solution. (Atli. A, 2017)

Having significant amounts of alcohol in the body can destroy all the vitamin B family which is responsible for managing blood sugar levels, energy, and metabolism. Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome which is caused by vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency, this is most common in alcoholics. Thiamine is a vital necessity of all cells of the body as this helps the body’s cells convert carbohydrates into energy. (Medline Plus 2018). 

E V E R H E A R D O F W A R N I C K E - K O R S I K O F F S Y N D R O M E ?

Our body cannot synthesise thiamine, so diet is our only source of it. Inadequate amounts of thiamine results in the body’s inability to perform simple cell functions. The symptoms may include confusion, unsteadiness and difficulty moving and in some cases, jerky or involuntary eye movements like a zombie (Christian. N, 2016).

It takes a lot of commitment and willpower to go through alcohol detox. You must be patient and compliant. Consuming no alcohol at this stage could progress to a more serious problem like liver disease and even cancer. Over time your body may have already started depending on the alcohol therefore quitting can be difficult. There are withdrawal symptoms that can develop as you go through detox so it is vital that you see a medical professional beforehand.

Keep in mind that the withdrawal symptoms severity ranges from mild to life- threatening depending on the person. An alcoholic who struggled with years and years of heavy drinking, for instance, is extremely likely to have severe withdrawal symptoms such as seizures or hallucinations (Carol.G, 2018). 

T H I N K I N G A B O U T D E T O X I N G ?

A N T A B U S E I S T H E A N S W E R !Disulfiram which is the most commonly used generic brand of Antabuse works by changing how the body eradicates alcohol from the system which starts by converting alcohol to acetaldehyde. Acetaldehyde is the substance accountable for the side effects you get with a hangover. Instead of further breaking down the acetaldehyde, the substance continues to build up, therefore, giving immediate hangover, making drinkers experience a slight discomfort. This gives alcoholics that extra push to discontinue the consumption of alcohol (Teva Pharm, 2017). 

Don't let alcohol control your life. Seek help. You are not alone.

R E F E R E N C E S :

Atli. Arnarson, 2017, Alcohol and Health: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, Viewed: 3 May 2018, <https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/alcohol-good-or-bad>

Carol.G, 2018, Alcohol Detox, Blog, Alcohol rehab Guide, Viewed 6 May 2018, <https://www.alcoholrehabguide.org/treatment/alcohol-detox/>

Christian. N, 2016, What is Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome?, Medical News Today, Viewed: 8 May 2018, <https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/220007.php>

Drinkaware, 2016, Why calories in alcohol are extra fattening, Viewed: 6 May 2018, <https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/alcohol-facts/health-effects-of-alcohol/calories/calories-in- alcohol/> 

Medline Plus, 2018, Warnicke Korsakoff Syndrome, Viewed: 3 May 2018, <https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000771.htm>

Mental health branch, 2013, Alcohol, NSW Government, Viewed 7 May 2018, <http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/mentalhealth/Factsheets/Pages/alcohol.aspx>

Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, 2017, Disulfiram, Viewed: 30 April 2018, <https://www.drugs.com/pro/disulfiram.html>

The Ranch, 2012, Nutritional Effects of Alcohol and Alcoholism, Viewed: 5 May 2018, <https://www.recoveryranch.com/articles/addiction-research/alcohol-alcoholism/>