HNSC 1210 (Nutrition) UNIT 3 STUDY
NOTES FOR EXAM RATED A.
Alcohol absorption
-can diffuse right through the stomach walls and reach the brain within a minute.
Drinking on an empty stomach can result in a person becoming intoxicated almost
immediately.
-Ethanol is a toxin, excessively high doses of ethanol triggers one of the body's
primary defenses against poison - vomiting. However, diluted enough to delay the
vomiting reflex, and therefore the alcohol is absorbed.
-Having food in the stomach can delay the absorption, prevents the alcohol
molecules from touching the stomach walls, and diffusing through. Food also helps
to keep the alcohol in the stomach longer—slowing its entry into the small intestine.
Once the stomach contents enter the small intestine, the alcohol is rapidly
absorbed, food or no food.
alcohol physical effects
- depresses brain production of anti-diuretic hormone, causing an increase in urine
output. This loss of body fluids leads to thirst and the need for water to relieve
dehydration.
-The loss important minerals such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium. These
minerals are important for the electrolyte balance and fluid balance in the body and
for nerve and muscle coordination.
-When drinking slowly, the alcohol is collected by the liver after absorption and is
processed without causing significant effects on other areas of the body. If, however
the alcohol is consumed more rapidly, some of the alcohol bypasses the liver and
ends up flowing through the rest of the body and the brain for a while.
alcohol and the brain
- depressant, depresses the inhibitory nerves, allowing the excitatory nerves to take
over, causing temporary relieving of inhibitions.
,-First affected is our judgment and reasoning, followed by voluntary muscular
control. The last area of the brain affected is responsible for respirations and heart
action. -usually passes out before drinking a lethal dose, however if a person drinks
fast enough, the alcohol continues to be absorbed and the effects continue to
accelerate after the person has gone to sleep or has passed out.
- brain cells are sensitive, brain shrinks proportional to amount of alcohol consumed
alcohol and liver
-makes 2 sets of alcohol metabolizing equipment:
1. Alcohol Dehydrogenase (ADH): an enzyme that breaks down alcohol by removing
hydrogen. This enzyme handles 80% or more of the alcohol in the body.
2. Microsomal Ethanol Oxidizing System (MEOS): a chain of enzymes that oxidize
alcohol to break it down. The MEO System handles about 10% of alcohol. The other
10% is excreted in the breath and in the urine. The alcohol in the breath is directly
proportionate to blood alcohol levels—breathalyzers accurately measure a person's
degree of intoxication.
-The amount of alcohol a person can process at a given time is dependent on the
amount of ADH enzyme in the liver. If more alcohol arrives then the enzymes can
handle, the extra alcohol re-circulates through the body and the brain until enzymes
are available to detoxify it.
-There is some ADH in the stomach that starts to break down some alcohol before it
reaches the bloodstream.
-Alcoholics have less ADH in the stomach and women have less then men. Women
also absorb approximately 1/3rd more alcohol then men. Fasting for as little as one
day can reduce ADH enzymes and reduce alcohol metabolism.
- liver speeds up its production of fatty acids. Fat can accumulate in the liver of a
young adult after a single night of drinking and can remain for more than a day.
Developing a fatty liver is the first sign of liver deterioration in heavy drinkers. The fat
deposits in the liver interfere with the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the liver
cells.
fibrous scar tissue starts to develop in the liver, leading to the second stage of liver
deterioration, fibrosis. Fibrosis can be reversed with good nutrition and abstinence
,from alcohol, however if the liver cells harden, turn orange and die (i.e., cirrhosis),
this cannot be reversed and function is lost forever.
alcohol and the body
-takes about 1.5 hours to metabolize one drink, depending on a person's size,
previous drinking experience, fed state and health status.
-The liver is the only organ that can dispose of significant amounts of alcohol, and
this rate of disposal cannot be sped up.
-only TIME restores sobriety. Walking does not—muscles do not metabolize alcohol.
Drinking coffee does not—coffee is a stimulant, but does not speed the rate of
alcohol metabolism.
-Alcohol is preferentially used for energy over the other energy containing nutrients,
thus more fat is stored, especially in the abdominal region (so a 'beer belly' can be a
reality).
hangover
-mild form of drug withdrawal and is caused by several factors:
1. Toxic effect of congeners
2. Dehydration of the brain.
3. Formaldehyde accumulation.
-Time is the cure for a hangover, while fluid replacement can help to normalize the
body's chemistry.
Toxic effect of congeners
(chemical substances that give alcoholic beverages some of their physiological
effects beyond those of the ethanol, like taste and after effects). Mixing or switching
drinks will not prevent a hangover because the congeners are only one factor.
Dehydration of the brain.
Alcohol reduces water content of brain cells. When cells are rehydrated and swell
back to normal size, this causes nerve pain.
Formaldehyde accumulation.
, -produced from methanol breakdown, which is produced by normal chemical
processes in all cells. Normally, the liver enzymes break down the formaldehyde into
carbon dioxide and water for excretion. When ethanol is present, the enzymes
preferentially act on the acetaldehyde, which is a byproduct of ethanol breakdown.
Because the enzymes are busy, the formaldehyde starts to accumulate and the
hangover begins.
Long-Term Effects of Alcohol
-Alcohol can alter amino acid metabolism in liver cells, leading to weakening of the
body's defense against infection
-Synthesis of blood lipids speeds up. interfere with uric acid metabolism. This can
cause uric acid salt crystals to develop on joints, causing pain (gout).
-toxic to skeletal and cardiac muscles, causing weakness and degeneration.
-use raises blood pressure—therefore heart disease is more likely. When autopsied,
the heart of someone who abuses alcohol weighs twice as much as a normal heart.
-can cause dementia, due to damage to brain cells.
-Increased risk of cancers of the breast, mouth, throat, esophagus, rectum and
lungs, (ethanol is a carcinogenic hazard). Also, one compound common in alcoholic
beverages, urethane, is known to cause cancer in animals, however the risk to
human beings is unknown.
-causes an increase risk for death from any cause in younger people (e.g., car
accidents, violent deaths, etc.).
Alcohol and nutrition
-Nutritional deficiencies can result from alcohol abuse, interferes with the body's use
of nutrients.
-more alcohol a person drinks, the less likely they are to obtain enough food to
provide adequate nutrients. Alcohol provides empty calories and displaces
nutrients.
-Intestinal cells fail to absorb many of our B vitamins: folate, thiamin, vitamin B6.
Liver cells are less effective at activation vitamin D. The kidneys excrete magnesium,
calcium, zinc and potassium. Many cells that normally support body processes are
busy trying to breakdown alcohol.
NOTES FOR EXAM RATED A.
Alcohol absorption
-can diffuse right through the stomach walls and reach the brain within a minute.
Drinking on an empty stomach can result in a person becoming intoxicated almost
immediately.
-Ethanol is a toxin, excessively high doses of ethanol triggers one of the body's
primary defenses against poison - vomiting. However, diluted enough to delay the
vomiting reflex, and therefore the alcohol is absorbed.
-Having food in the stomach can delay the absorption, prevents the alcohol
molecules from touching the stomach walls, and diffusing through. Food also helps
to keep the alcohol in the stomach longer—slowing its entry into the small intestine.
Once the stomach contents enter the small intestine, the alcohol is rapidly
absorbed, food or no food.
alcohol physical effects
- depresses brain production of anti-diuretic hormone, causing an increase in urine
output. This loss of body fluids leads to thirst and the need for water to relieve
dehydration.
-The loss important minerals such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium. These
minerals are important for the electrolyte balance and fluid balance in the body and
for nerve and muscle coordination.
-When drinking slowly, the alcohol is collected by the liver after absorption and is
processed without causing significant effects on other areas of the body. If, however
the alcohol is consumed more rapidly, some of the alcohol bypasses the liver and
ends up flowing through the rest of the body and the brain for a while.
alcohol and the brain
- depressant, depresses the inhibitory nerves, allowing the excitatory nerves to take
over, causing temporary relieving of inhibitions.
,-First affected is our judgment and reasoning, followed by voluntary muscular
control. The last area of the brain affected is responsible for respirations and heart
action. -usually passes out before drinking a lethal dose, however if a person drinks
fast enough, the alcohol continues to be absorbed and the effects continue to
accelerate after the person has gone to sleep or has passed out.
- brain cells are sensitive, brain shrinks proportional to amount of alcohol consumed
alcohol and liver
-makes 2 sets of alcohol metabolizing equipment:
1. Alcohol Dehydrogenase (ADH): an enzyme that breaks down alcohol by removing
hydrogen. This enzyme handles 80% or more of the alcohol in the body.
2. Microsomal Ethanol Oxidizing System (MEOS): a chain of enzymes that oxidize
alcohol to break it down. The MEO System handles about 10% of alcohol. The other
10% is excreted in the breath and in the urine. The alcohol in the breath is directly
proportionate to blood alcohol levels—breathalyzers accurately measure a person's
degree of intoxication.
-The amount of alcohol a person can process at a given time is dependent on the
amount of ADH enzyme in the liver. If more alcohol arrives then the enzymes can
handle, the extra alcohol re-circulates through the body and the brain until enzymes
are available to detoxify it.
-There is some ADH in the stomach that starts to break down some alcohol before it
reaches the bloodstream.
-Alcoholics have less ADH in the stomach and women have less then men. Women
also absorb approximately 1/3rd more alcohol then men. Fasting for as little as one
day can reduce ADH enzymes and reduce alcohol metabolism.
- liver speeds up its production of fatty acids. Fat can accumulate in the liver of a
young adult after a single night of drinking and can remain for more than a day.
Developing a fatty liver is the first sign of liver deterioration in heavy drinkers. The fat
deposits in the liver interfere with the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the liver
cells.
fibrous scar tissue starts to develop in the liver, leading to the second stage of liver
deterioration, fibrosis. Fibrosis can be reversed with good nutrition and abstinence
,from alcohol, however if the liver cells harden, turn orange and die (i.e., cirrhosis),
this cannot be reversed and function is lost forever.
alcohol and the body
-takes about 1.5 hours to metabolize one drink, depending on a person's size,
previous drinking experience, fed state and health status.
-The liver is the only organ that can dispose of significant amounts of alcohol, and
this rate of disposal cannot be sped up.
-only TIME restores sobriety. Walking does not—muscles do not metabolize alcohol.
Drinking coffee does not—coffee is a stimulant, but does not speed the rate of
alcohol metabolism.
-Alcohol is preferentially used for energy over the other energy containing nutrients,
thus more fat is stored, especially in the abdominal region (so a 'beer belly' can be a
reality).
hangover
-mild form of drug withdrawal and is caused by several factors:
1. Toxic effect of congeners
2. Dehydration of the brain.
3. Formaldehyde accumulation.
-Time is the cure for a hangover, while fluid replacement can help to normalize the
body's chemistry.
Toxic effect of congeners
(chemical substances that give alcoholic beverages some of their physiological
effects beyond those of the ethanol, like taste and after effects). Mixing or switching
drinks will not prevent a hangover because the congeners are only one factor.
Dehydration of the brain.
Alcohol reduces water content of brain cells. When cells are rehydrated and swell
back to normal size, this causes nerve pain.
Formaldehyde accumulation.
, -produced from methanol breakdown, which is produced by normal chemical
processes in all cells. Normally, the liver enzymes break down the formaldehyde into
carbon dioxide and water for excretion. When ethanol is present, the enzymes
preferentially act on the acetaldehyde, which is a byproduct of ethanol breakdown.
Because the enzymes are busy, the formaldehyde starts to accumulate and the
hangover begins.
Long-Term Effects of Alcohol
-Alcohol can alter amino acid metabolism in liver cells, leading to weakening of the
body's defense against infection
-Synthesis of blood lipids speeds up. interfere with uric acid metabolism. This can
cause uric acid salt crystals to develop on joints, causing pain (gout).
-toxic to skeletal and cardiac muscles, causing weakness and degeneration.
-use raises blood pressure—therefore heart disease is more likely. When autopsied,
the heart of someone who abuses alcohol weighs twice as much as a normal heart.
-can cause dementia, due to damage to brain cells.
-Increased risk of cancers of the breast, mouth, throat, esophagus, rectum and
lungs, (ethanol is a carcinogenic hazard). Also, one compound common in alcoholic
beverages, urethane, is known to cause cancer in animals, however the risk to
human beings is unknown.
-causes an increase risk for death from any cause in younger people (e.g., car
accidents, violent deaths, etc.).
Alcohol and nutrition
-Nutritional deficiencies can result from alcohol abuse, interferes with the body's use
of nutrients.
-more alcohol a person drinks, the less likely they are to obtain enough food to
provide adequate nutrients. Alcohol provides empty calories and displaces
nutrients.
-Intestinal cells fail to absorb many of our B vitamins: folate, thiamin, vitamin B6.
Liver cells are less effective at activation vitamin D. The kidneys excrete magnesium,
calcium, zinc and potassium. Many cells that normally support body processes are
busy trying to breakdown alcohol.
