Nutrition Flashcards

1
Q

How does food affect alcohol metabolism etc

A

It reduces absorption and speeds up elimination of alcohol
Slows gastric emptying
Feeding = higher portal blood flow which speeds up metabolism

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2
Q

How many calories are in 1g of alcohol

A

7

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3
Q

How does alcohol affect weight gain - short and long term

A

Short - don’t compensate for the excess calories consumed in alcohol and drinking makes you more likely to eat more
Long - lack of evidence but potentially binge and heavy drinking are linked to weight

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4
Q

How does alcohol increase your risk of deficiencies

A

Altered food intake/appetite
Decreased secretion of pancreatic enzymes and bile
Damages cells lining stomach and intestine which decreases absorption
Decreased liver stores of vitamins
Increased excretion
Alcohol metabolism uses up thiamine

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5
Q

When is it common to see muscle wasting and weight loss

A

Alcoholic liver disease
95% of patients
Nutritional deficiency also common in this group

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6
Q

What is the function of thiamine

A

ATP production
Nerve conduction
Maintenance of neural membranes

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7
Q

Why is thiamine deficiency common in chronic alcohol use

A
Poor food intake - less thiamine 
Decreased conversion to coenzyme 
Reduced storage due to fatty liver 
Inhibited intestinal absorption 
Increased demand due to ethanol metabolism
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8
Q

What 3 conditions can be caused by thiamine deficiency

A

Dry beriberi
Wet beriberi
Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome

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9
Q

What is dry beriberi

A

Affects the nervous system

Polyneuropathy, weakness, numbness usually in lower limbs

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10
Q

What is wet beriberi

A

Affects the CV system
Increased HR
SOB
high output cardiac failure

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11
Q

Describe Wernicke’s encephalopathy

A

Neurological disease causing confusion, ataxia and eye abnormalities
Reversible if caught early

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12
Q

Describe Korsakoff’s syndrome

A

Mental disorder
Amnesia and confabulation
Mostly irreversible

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13
Q

What vitamins and minerals may alcoholics become deficient in except thiamine

A

Folate and B12 - metabolism impaired leading to anaemia
Niacin - pellagra sometimes seen
Vit A - metabolism is abnormal so plasma levels fall and may cause blindness
Calcium - increased excretion may cause osteoporosis
Zinc - lesions in mouth ,nose and eyes

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14
Q

How does alcohol consumption affect CV health

A

Heavy drinking may increase risk

Little to no evidence that low amounts have any effect - no benefit

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15
Q

How does alcohol affect cancer risk

A

Increases risk of several cancers:

breast, bowel, liver, mouth/throat, oesophageal and stomach

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16
Q

By which mechanisms does alcohol increase cancer risk

A

Breakdown products are carcinogenic
Acts as a solvent that allows carcinogen to enter cells
Combined effect with oestrogen increases breast cancer risk
Causes deficiency in essential nutrients

17
Q

How does alcohol consumption affect blood glucose

A

Affects the foods we eat. the breakdown of glycogen and gluconeogenesis
Also interferes with insulin, reducing it’s effectiveness
Affects hypoglycaemic medication

18
Q

What is the risk of drinking during pregnancy

A

Low birth weight or preterm
foetal alcohol syndrome
spectrum of disorders that leads to abnormal appearance, behaviour and learning difficulty etc