Nutrition and Alcohol

Question 1

3 routes of alcohol excretion?

Answer 1

lungs
sweat
urine

Question 2

where is most of alcohol absorbed?

Answer 2

stomach

small intestine

Question 3

where is the site of primary alcohol metabolism?

Answer 3

liver

Question 4

does the liver store alcohol?

Answer 4

no

Question 5

through which process is alcohol removed from the blood?

Answer 5

oxidation

Question 6

when does BAC peak?

Answer 6

30-60 mins after consumption

Question 7

why is metabolism of alcohol faster after a meal?

Answer 7

food slows gastric emptying, increases portal blood flow, slower absorption so increased first pass metabolism in liver

Question 8

how does alcohol affect digestion?

Answer 8

decreased pancreatic enzyme and bile secretion

Question 9

how does alcohol affect nutrient transport and storage?

Answer 9

decreased liver stores of vitamins because of increased excretion

Question 10

what is thiamine important for in the body?

Answer 10

ATP production
nerve conduction
neural membrane maintenance

Question 11

why do thiamine levels deplete in chronic alcoholism?

Answer 11

decreased conversion to co-enzyme, reduced storage, inhibited absorption

Question 12

what symptoms does dry beriberi syndrome typically cause?

Answer 12

CNS issues: polyneuropathy, weakness, numbness in lower limbs etc

Question 13

what symptoms does wet beriberi syndrome typically cause?

Answer 13

CVS issues: tachycardia, sob, cardiac failure

Question 14

what causes beriberi syndrome?

Answer 14

thiamine deficiency

Question 15

which of wernickes encephalopathy and korsakoff syndrome is reversible

Answer 15

wernickes encephalopathy

Question 16

symptoms of korsakoff?

Answer 16

mental disorder causing amnesia and confabulation

Question 17

symptoms of wernickes encephalopathy?

Answer 17

neurological: confusion, inability to coordinate voluntary movement, eye abnormalities

Question 18

how can an alcoholic become blind at night?

Answer 18

vit a deficiency

Question 19

name the 6 cancers that alcohol can increase the risk of

Answer 19

breast, bowel, liver, mouth/throat, oesphageal, stomach

Question 20

which cancers are increased by drinking low levels of alcohol?

Answer 20

mouth, pharynx, larynx

Question 21

which cancers are increased by drinking moderate levels of alcohol

Answer 21

bowel

Question 22

which cancer is increased by drinking high levels of alcohol

Answer 22

liver

Question 23

why can alcohol increase breast cancer risk

Answer 23

combined effect with oestrogen, carcinogenic breakdown products