Nutrition Flashcards
How does food affect alcohol metabolism etc
It reduces absorption and speeds up elimination of alcohol
Slows gastric emptying
Feeding = higher portal blood flow which speeds up metabolism
How many calories are in 1g of alcohol
7
How does alcohol affect weight gain - short and long term
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
How does alcohol increase your risk of deficiencies
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
When is it common to see muscle wasting and weight loss
Alcoholic liver disease
95% of patients
Nutritional deficiency also common in this group
What is the function of thiamine
ATP production
Nerve conduction
Maintenance of neural membranes
Why is thiamine deficiency common in chronic alcohol use
Poor food intake - less thiamine Decreased conversion to coenzyme Reduced storage due to fatty liver Inhibited intestinal absorption Increased demand due to ethanol metabolism
What 3 conditions can be caused by thiamine deficiency
Dry beriberi
Wet beriberi
Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome
What is dry beriberi
Affects the nervous system
Polyneuropathy, weakness, numbness usually in lower limbs
What is wet beriberi
Affects the CV system
Increased HR
SOB
high output cardiac failure
Describe Wernicke’s encephalopathy
Neurological disease causing confusion, ataxia and eye abnormalities
Reversible if caught early
Describe Korsakoff’s syndrome
Mental disorder
Amnesia and confabulation
Mostly irreversible
What vitamins and minerals may alcoholics become deficient in except thiamine
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
How does alcohol consumption affect CV health
Heavy drinking may increase risk
Little to no evidence that low amounts have any effect - no benefit
How does alcohol affect cancer risk
Increases risk of several cancers:
breast, bowel, liver, mouth/throat, oesophageal and stomach